Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Trusted Media Brands, Inc.'s headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see Find Local Branches.

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• 

  Trusted Media Brands, Inc.

  750 3rd Ave New York, NY 10017-2703

  
• 

  Trusted Media Brands, Inc.

  44 S Broadway 7th Fl. White Plains, NY 10601-4425

  
• 

  Reader's Digest

  6400 East Rogers Circle Boca Raton, FL 33499

• 

  Trusted Media Brands, Inc.

  PO Box 80010 Prescott, AZ 86304

• 

  Trusted Media Brands, Inc.

  PO Box 80010 Prescott, AZ 86304

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/16/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I did not authorize Trusted Media Brands, Inc. to renew my subscription for a magazine. I never agreed to an auto-renew the service. I had never even heard of Trusted Media Brands and I thought that someone hacked my ****** account. It looked like a fraudulent activity. I feared that my identity was stolen. Judging by the number of complaints about Trusted Media Brands, they clearly are engaging in inappropriate practices and need to stop.

  Business Response

  Date: 01/25/2025

  Dear Mid-****** Dispute Services:
  

  I write in response to your letter dated January 16, 2025, regarding the complaint from ****** Velchev. I would like to provide some information about the customers order and clear up any misunderstanding.
  

  On March 11, 2023, we received an order from the customer for **************************** subscription. As stated in the offer, when ordering this subscription online, the customer would automatically renew each year with the option of canceling their subscription at any time.
  

  The automatic renewal was processed on January 14, 2025, for the next year.  The customer would have been sent an email prior to the automatic renewal being processed. We did receive a chargeback request from ****** on January 15, 2025, and the order was deleted.
  

  We have removed the customer from our promotional lists, and the last issue they will receive will be the February/March 2025 issue.
  
  I hope this helps clear up any misunderstanding. I apologize for any disappointment the customer may have encountered with our company.
  
  Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.
  
  ***** *****
  Customer Service Center

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/23/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Reader's Digest and Trusted Media Brands, *** are taking advantage of people with their deceptive practices, especially the elderly. I subscribed to RD in October and paid a small amount for the magazine for a year. I just got my second issue, and there was an envelope included with what looks like a bill. I had already paid, so I almost threw it out. I read it carefully, and realized that RD was automatically going to subscribe me to their fiction book service without my permission, and if I didn't respond within a short period of time, they were going to charge my existing payment method for $10 this month, send me a book I didn't ask for, and then send me books monthly for like $40 plus shipping. ALL happening automatically without my permission. There was no phone number on this invoice. In small print, it says to cancel, write a letter or go to their website. I went to the website, and it did not exist. Like I typed it carefully and it gave me a 404 error code. Then I manually went to their website and filed a cancellation of my subscription, and wrote them a comment as follows: "I received an invoice for fiction books that appear that they are going to be automatically sent to me even though I have not asked for them or subscribed to them. This technique you are using is fraud. This is not something Im asking for and it is automatically going to be billed to me and sent to me without my permission. Please do not send me any books or magazines. I cant imagine how many seniors you are stealing from who dont recognize the scam." They wrote me back and said they could not find my account and could I have subscribed under a different address, which is impossible because the address was correct and I've lived there for over 20 years. Think how many others don't read this "bill" carefully and start getting charged automatically. This has to stop.

  Business Response

  Date: 12/23/2024

  Dear Mid-****** Dispute Services:

  I write in response to your letter dated December 23, 2024, regarding the complaint from ****** ********. I would like to provide some information about the customers order and clear up any misunderstanding.

  We received the magazine subscription order on October 18, 2024, for Reader's Digest magazine.  The offer the customer received was for the Fiction Favorites book series.  This is just a promotional offer, and the customer was not signed up for any book series.  They would have to send in the notice they received for the order to be processed and enrolled in the automatic renewal program. We cancelled the magazine subscription as the customer requested and removed their information from our promotional mailings.
  
  I hope this helps clear up any misunderstanding. I apologize for any disappointment the customer may have encountered with our company.
  
  Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.
  
  ***** *****
  Customer Service Center

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/26/2024

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  My vision has failed to the point that I can no longer read even this large print magazine. They have set up a recurring charge to my credit card, but do not provide contact info that can be used to stop the subscription renewal ********. Please help me resolve this. Thank you!

  Business Response

  Date: 11/30/2024

  Dear Mid-****** Dispute Services:

  I write in response to your letter dated November 27, 2024, regarding the complaint from *** ******. I would like to provide some information about the customers order and clear up any misunderstanding.

  We have cancelled the remaining issues for Large Print Reader's Digest, and the customer will receive a refund of $6.67.  The automatic renewal was removed at the time of cancellation.  We have removed the customer from all promotional and mailing lists.
  
  I hope this helps clear up any misunderstanding. I apologize for any disappointment the customer may have encountered with our company.
  
  Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.
  
  ***** *****
  Customer Service Center

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/02/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *** ******
  
  
  
   
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/31/2024

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I have been receiving unsolicited books from Taste of Home and Birds and Blooms through the year. I did not request any of these. I have tried to contact and resolve by email but have been unsuccessful. I have received a bill and will not pay.

  Business Response

  Date: 10/31/2024

  I write in response to your letter dated October 31, 2024,regarding the complaint from ******* ******. I would like to provide some information about the customers order and clear up any misunderstanding.

  Our records show we received the following book orders:

  Grandmas Favorites
  Quick Cooking Annual
  The Best of Birds and Booms

  We have attached copies of the book orders we received.

  We have discontinued the customers enrollment in these series. The customer may keep the book(s) and should disregard any further invoices that may be in process.

  I hope this helps clear up any misunderstanding. I apologize for any disappointment the customer may have encountered with our company. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/31/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* ******
  
  
  
   
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/26/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I cancelled this subscription in August by email, and they took money from my checking acct on September 19, 2024.I've sent 3 emails asking for my refund since I cancelled this subscription on August 6, *********************************** a refund. I'd like my money refunded and subscription cancelled.

  Business Response

  Date: 09/28/2024

  Dear Mid-****** Dispute Services:

  I write in response to your letter dated September 27, 2024, regarding the complaint from ***** ********. I would like to provide some information about the customers order and clear up any misunderstanding.
  
  We have cancelled the customers Birds & *************** subscription and processed a full refund of $27.98.  The refund will go to the MasterCard ending in *****  Please allow up to ten business days for ********** to approve the refund.
  
  I hope this helps clear up any misunderstanding. I apologize for any disappointment the customer may have encountered with our company.
  
  Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.
  
  ***** *****
  Customer Service Center

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/30/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***** ********
  
  
  
   
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/25/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  This company has been sending me statements even though I canceled my prescription long time ago.

  Business Response

  Date: 09/25/2024

  Dear Mid-****** Dispute Services:

  I write in response to your letter dated September 25, 2024, regarding the complaint from ******** *****. I would like to provide some information about the customers order and clear up any misunderstanding.

  On February 1, 2024, we received an order from the customer for a book in the Fiction Favorites book series. As stated in the offer, when ordering this book, the customer would automatically be enrolled to receive other books in the series with no obligation to buy, and the option of canceling membership at any time.We shipped the book on February 20, 2024.

  The next book was sent June 14,2024.
  

  The final book was sent August 2,2024.

  We have discontinued the customers enrollment in the series. The customer may keep the book(s) and should disregard any further invoices that may be in process.  
  
  I hope this helps clear up any misunderstanding. I apologize for any disappointment the customer may have encountered with our company.
  
  Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.
  
  ***** *****
  Customer Service Center

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/24/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  This is the e comment I sent to Trusted Media Brands today:"I didn't order this Birds and Blooms book: Beauty in the Backyard. My account shows: $30.83 owing. I am returning the book and requesting Trusted Media Brands pay postage. I also cancelled this "order" even though I never ordered it in the first place. This is a "bait and switch" marketing tactic and I will probably be mentioning it to Better Business Bureau. I'm also thinking I will not continue to subscribe to the magazine. It concerns me that other senior citizens may be taken in by this - not realizing that they do not owe you for a product they didn't order.*** ******* ****************** account number ***********"My hope is that I will be able to return the book at the post office with the address listed *************** ********************************** with THEM paying the postage for return. I will try. If they don't - I feel they owe me that postage. Also, I do NOT owe them $30.83. since I never ordered the book. The outside box says "open now! Free Gift Enclosed" Also, previously, regarding my subscription, they automatically renewed my subscription and a gift subscription this past year in Jan. and Feb. rather than billing me first. I ended up renewing the gift because the giftee had already received word of renewal but cancelling my own subscription. Again, poor business practice. Further, I've spent considerable time trying to scan supporting docs - a couple different ways, etc. They are too large. And research this and report all for a book I didn't order.

  Business Response

  Date: 09/25/2024

  Dear Mid-****** Dispute Services:

  I write in response to your letter dated September 24, 2024, regarding the complaint from ***** *******. I would like to provide some information about the customers order and clear up any misunderstanding.

  On April 16, 2024, we received an order from the customer for a book in the Best of Birds and Blooms book ********* stated in the offer, when ordering this book, the customer would automatically be enrolled to receive other books in the series with no obligation to buy, and the option of canceling membership at any time.We shipped the book on April 24, 2024.
  

  The next book was sent September 16, 2024.

  We have discontinued the customers enrollment in the series. The customer may keep the book(s) and should disregard any further invoices that may be in process.  
  
  I hope this helps clear up any misunderstanding. I apologize for any disappointment the customer may have encountered with our company.
  
  Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.
  
  ***** *****
  Customer Service Center

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/25/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.However, in the original offer in April, it wasn't clear to me that I was enrolling automatically in book shipments. I have already incurred $6.13 in postal charges to return the book - which I did yesterday. Even though they say here in their response I can keep the book, it's too late. I have incurred those postal charges as I supposedly owed $30.83 for the book. I also hope in the future, they will not automatically renew my gift subscription.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***** *******
  
  
  
   
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/04/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  This company continues to send cook books that I haven't requested. I have called their customer service multiple times and requested that they cease and desist sending more and offered to return the ones received. I have been told to just keep the books and that I didn't owe anything. I don't want any cooking books but they still continue to send them. One of the books was marked "return to sender" and taken to my locale post office for return. The payment is sent to Trusted Media Brands and the books are published by Taste of Home. I have not remitted any payment.What else can I do?

  Business Response

  Date: 09/04/2024

  Dear Mid-****** Dispute Services:

  I write in response to your letter dated September 4, 2024,regarding the complaint by *****************.

  We understand the customer advised that she had cancelled her Grandma's Favorites book series.

  We have discontinued the customers enrollment in all book series and cancelled the unpaid invoice for the book series in question.  The customer should disregard any further invoices that may be in process for the book.

  I hope this helps clear up any misunderstanding. I apologize for any disappointment the customer may have encountered with our company.
  Please contact us if we can be of further assistance. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/04/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************
  
  
  
   
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/28/2024

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  June 02, 2024. $60.09 I have tried numerous times to cancel my subscription with ************************ but they refuse and keep charging my credit card

  Business Response

  Date: 08/31/2024

  Dear ********** ******* *********

  I write in response to your letter dated August 28, 2024, regarding the complaint from *************************. I would like to provide some information about the customers order and clear up any misunderstanding.
  
  On June 8, 2022, we received an order for the customer from the outside agency *********************** for a one year subscription.  We received a renewal from the agency for the customer on June 7, 2023 and again on June 5, 2024.  We have suspended delivery of the issues,however, any refund will have to be done through the outside agency since they collected payment for the order. 
  
  *********** *** *******
  *******************
  *************
  ******************
  ************
  **********************************
  **************************
  
  I hope this helps clear up any misunderstanding. I apologize for any disappointment the customer may have encountered with our company.
  
  Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.
  
  *********************
  Customer Service Center

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/16/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Readers Digest subscription price was increased from $10.00 to $42.68. I was never informed of this huge price increase (or) that my subscription would renew at the higher price. I contacted Readers Digest for a refund and they have not sent this refund.

  Business Response

  Date: 08/17/2024

  **** ********** ******* ********:

  I write in response to your letter dated August 16, 2024, regarding the complaint from *************************. I would like to provide some information about the customers order and clear up any misunderstanding.

  On August 19, 2022, we received an order from the customer for a magazine subscription to ********************. As stated in the offer, when ordering online, the customer would automatically be renewed at the rate effective at the time of the renewal.  The customer would receive an email notification prior to the renewal being processed and can cancel at any time.  A full refund of $42.68 was processed for the customer on August 14, 2024.
  
  I hope this helps clear up any misunderstanding. I apologize for any disappointment the customer may have encountered with our company.
  
  Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.
  
  *********************
  Customer Service Center
  
  CC:  *************************
         *********************
         **********************

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/19/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************