Someone offers you a great deal on new subscriptions or to renew your current ones. But it could be a con artist trying to trick you into spending more than you realize or paying for magazines that you'll never receive.

• Ask for written information before you decide to subscribe. Salespeople may describe the cost as “pennies a month” but may not explain the length of the subscription commitment or the total cost. Legitimate companies will send you the details upfront and never insist that you act immediately.
• Be wary of “free prizes.” They’re not free if you have to buy magazines to get them.
• Know the cancellation policy. Some subscription services don’t allow cancellations once they have placed the orders with the publishers.
• Watch out for imposters. Crooks may pretend to be calling on behalf of well-known magazine publishers and request payment to renew your subscriptions, when they have absolutely no connection with them at all and will simply pocket your money.
• Don’t give your credit card or bank account information unless you’re making payment. There is no reason why the company would need that information for any other purpose.
• Check the prices. It might be cheaper to buy the magazines directly from the publishers than through a subscription service.
• If you’re not interested, say no. Tell the caller to put you on the company’s “Do Not Call” list.