We're very sorry if any of you have run into renewal trouble. The problem is that we're experiencing a rash of scams recently, including some by telephone.

Here are three simple things to refer to when you receive a renewal notice or phone call:

1. If they ask you to make your check out to anything other than just "Keyboard", it's a scam!

2. If the mailing address is anything other than PO Box 9158, Lowell MA 01853, it's a scam! If the address is in Dayton, OH, it's our former subscription service, and you should send the invoice and check instead to the address in MA: PO Box 9158, Lowell MA 01853.

3. If anyone calls you on the phone to renew your subscription or to start a new one, it's a scam!

We've got lawyers and law enforcement involved in tracking down the scam perpetrators. It's endemic to the magazine industry these days, I'm afraid. But if you follow the steps above, you'll be in good shape.

It's also a good idea to subscribe and renew your subscription via our website . . . though we've had intermittent problems with that lately, as we transfer our subscription fulfillment from one company to another. We should have the kinks ironed out soon on that.

Feel free to email me directly if you've had trouble with your subscription in any way.

Thanks for noting!

Ernie

Ernie thanks for posting this information. Regrettably this information has become necessary due to the scammers over the past few years.

I'm thinking about offering a new technology to Keyboard subscribers that will give them access to a hassle-free subscription management web site. The technology is based on eye retina-scanning techniques -- but it teaches you to sightread as you get scanned in!

Whaddaya think?

;-)

Ernie

Great idea, I like it! My only concern is that these scammers may be relentless and seek us keyboard subscribers out and force us to do the retina scan at gun point. I know your laughing thinking I'm crazy but I would say you underestimate the value of Keyboard Magazine

I'm in if for no other reason than the ability to "read" better. It has always been one of my weaker points as a musician. Seriously, though, I should spend more time practicing sight-reading. Thanks for bringing it up.

Jay

I'm guitarist, not a keyboardist, so naturally I don't subscribe to Keyboard. But once in a while I read it, and certainly there is plenty to learn!

I am glad you are doing your best to protect your readers from scam artists! Far too many of them I think, and lots of them seem to have my e-mail... fair enough, that's what the delete button is for.

Over the phone I buy nothing... if I happen to pick up the phone and it's a phone salesman, I just say "sorry, this is really not a good time.." and get rid of them as soon as I can in a reasonably polite way.

Just received another call from the scam slimes.
The thread from a few weeks back listed the same # I believe.
602-298-4759.
The voice at the other end asked if I was still receiving my mags on time.....before he could get any thing else out, I said, "I don't talk w/ scam low lives". As soon as he heard the word "scam", I heard click.

This is at least the fourth call I've received from these people.
They're still working it.

Bass clef or treble clef--or both??

Have you also changed distribution arrangements? I can't find Keyboard anywhere anymore. Looks like last one I saw on a store shelf was May.

That's great. I suppose that explains why my renewal doesn't appear to have gone through even though I'd sent you a check back in April!

Only if it's keyboard tab.

Cos THAT would be really funny.

I just got a call from them again. I tried the "is this that scam?" approach, but she insisted it wasn't a scam. I told her I wasn't interested and hung up. I'll try another approach next time (if there is a next time). I might as well have fun with them.

602 is a Phoenix, AZ which is in my backyard. If you want me to follow up with these fools, please let me know.

Well it looks like my subscription came through. Guess it took a while.....two months?

From the Keyboard subscriber FAQ, located here:



If you read the rest of the FAQs, you'll see information about how there's a 1- to 2-issue lag beteween changes being received and being implemented. Obviously this would seem to apply to renewals as well.

The only other suggestion I'd make is that a subscriber be contacted on the email address supplied to tell them their sub is up for renewal? I didn't realise my year had expired until the last issue didn't arrive...

I got a new scam in the mail today. It has the Lowell, MA, address and it's signed by "Ernest Rideout". But it's charging $12 for a 1 yr renewal, $22 for 2 years, and $32.00 for 3 years. No expiration date is listed and it says "For faster service, visit our website at http://www.mykeyboardmag.com !". I went there..."Under construction".

Whoa hold on - mykeyboardmag.com IS the official site for renewals? It's the service linked to from keyboardmag.com....

It looks to me like mykeyboardmag.com is the correct subscription site. The domain registrar address matches the mailing address Ernie posted in the start of this thread. I'm sure Ernie will respond to confirm.

Yes, wjwilcox, that is in fact a legitimate sub offer. That's the location of our new sub fulfillment service, and the mykeyboardmag.com site *should* be working.

I'll forward your note to our circulation department; if it's okay to have them contact you, please send me a PM with your email addy. If not, no worries, I'll ask them what in blazes is up with the web site that's supposed to help people subscribe, and I'll post what I find here.

Thanks!

Ernie

Ernie, I just sent you a PM, but let me publically apologize for all the fuss I made and for getting you out of the pool on a hot Sunday night....

No worries, wjwilcox! Even if something only *seems* wrong about your subscription -- or anything about your experience with Keyboard magazine -- I want to hear about it.

Even if it means leaving the girls alone in the pool at the mansion or a little while . . .

best,

Ernie

Somewhat topical, but I wanted to take a moment to publicly thank Ernie for his help ensuring my subscription didn't get interrupted. For some reason I never got a renewal notice up here in Canada, and only realized my sub expired with the July issue after it had arrived.

A quick PM to Ernie, and he went above and beyond his already-overfull plate to check things out with the subscription folks, and lo and behold, the August issue arrived, and I'm back on track (having renewed through the website).

Just one more reason why I'm back as a happy subscriber to the mag after taking most of the 90's off...

Keep up the good work, Ernie et al!

Ernie, if you could pull the same off for me I'd be most grateful - I think I've missed both June and July

I got a call from them, and I wish I'd taken their information and nailed them for violating the "do-not-call" registry. Even the real Keyboard subscription department can't call customers who are on that list.

Interesting....

Sure they can:
By purchasing something from the company, you established a business relationship with the company. As a result, even if you put your number on the National Do Not Call Registry, that company may call you for up to 18 months after your last purchase or delivery from it, or your last payment to it, unless you ask the company not to call again.

Hi Ernie, yesterday I got THREE subscription renewals, all from the same address, for two mags I subscribe to and one that I don't. I'm supposed to send my Keyboard money to:
MBN
P.O. Box 61001
Reno NV 89506

Thanks to this thread I know its another scam; my question: should I take these to the Post Office and bring it to their attention?

Same with me. One for Keyboard and one for a mag. I haven't subscribed to in years.

RPS (The return adress on the envelope has ABDI, same address)
PO Box 61001
Reno, NV 89506

1-866-732-5851

Same here...