Top Class Actions  |  January 13, 2021

Category: Closed Class Actions

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This settlement is closed!

Please see what other class action settlements you might qualify to claim cash from in our Open Settlements directory!

America's Test Kitchen magazines in a stack

UPDATE:

  • According to the settlement website, payments to valid claimants were mailed on April 27, 2021.
  • Let Top Class Actions know if you received a check!

Reader’s Digest readers and other consumers may be able to take part in a $1.5 million class action settlement with Trusted Media Brands over allegations it auto-renewed subscriptions without permission.

Those who can take part are California residents who were entered into an automatic renewal program by Trusted Media Brands between July 26, 2015, and March 5, 2020.

Trusted Media Brands, publisher of Reader’s Digest, Taste of Home, Country and a number of other magazines, as well as books and digital materials, was accused of violating California automatic renewal laws. The plaintiffs claimed they had been unknowingly entered into an automatic renewal program through a “negative option” model used by Trusted Media.

According to the complaint, a negative option model requires consumers to actively opt out of being entered into a renewal program or other agreement. If the consumer fails to do so, they are charged for goods or services.

Use of digital payments through credit or debit cards makes it incredibly easy for companies to enter consumers into a continuous service agreement and automatically charge their card, in some instances several times, before they notice.

Indeed, thousands of consumers have complained of being duped into paying for things they did not want through deceptive negative option sales tactics, the plaintiffs said, and, in California, laws restrict companies from using negative option models.

In 2009, according to the complaint, the state legislature passed a bill under California’s False Advertising Law restricting companies from using negative option models to rope consumers into continuous service agreements or automatic renewals. Under the law, companies must make automatic renewal agreements clear and conspicuous to consumers before entering them into regular payments for goods or services.

The plaintiffs claimed they and others had been unfairly charged by Trusted Media under automatic renewal or continuous service agreements after signing up for a subscription or other product offered by the company.

One plaintiff alleged he thought he had signed up for a one-year subscription to Reader’s Digest; however, Trusted Media allegedly hit him with another nearly $15 charge after entering him into an automatic renewal program.

The plaintiffs say they and other Californians would not have made purchases through Trusted Media for Reader’s Digest or other publications had they known they would be entered into these agreements.

Trusted Media admits no wrongdoing, but has agreed to pay $1.5 million to end the class action lawsuit. In addition, the company has agreed to make changes to its subscription service offerings with regard to how automatic renewals and continuous service agreements are presented to consumers.

Under the terms of the settlement, Class Members can claim a portion of the settlement fund after plaintiff awards, attorney fees and administrative costs are paid out.

To make a claim, Class Members must submit a claim form either online or by mail. The online claims form requires a CPT ID and Password available from the Class Member’s Settlement Notice. Class Members who do not have this information can contact the Settlement Administrator or use a paper claim form and include the information used for their subscription or purchase from Trusted Media.

Claim Forms are due by Feb. 15, 2021. The deadline for Class Members to opt out of or object to the class action settlement is also Feb. 15, 2021. The final hearing is scheduled for April 9, 2021.

Who’s Eligible

California residents who were entered into an automatic renewal program or continuous services agreement by Trusted Media Brands between July 26, 2015, and March 5, 2020.

Potential Award

To be determined. 

  • Class Members will receive a portion of the settlement fund. Awards will depend on the total number of claims made.
Proof of Purchase

Online Claim Forms require a CPD ID and Password available on the Class Member’s Settlement Notice. Class Members without a CPT ID and Password can either contact the Settlement Administrator or mail a paper Claim Form with their address and other information used to make the purchase from Trusted Media.

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

02/15/2021

Case Name

Everett, et al. v. Trusted Media Brands Inc., Case No. 37-2020-00010762-CU-BT-CTL in San Diego County Superior Court

Final Hearing

04/09/2021

Settlement Website
Claims Administrator

Everett, et al. v. Trusted Media Brands Inc. Settlement Administrator
c/o CPT Group Inc.
50 Corporate Park
Irvine, CA 92606
CAAutorenewalSettlement@cptgroup.com
1-888-416-3118

Class Counsel

DOSTART HANNINK & COVENEY LLP

Defense Counsel

BAKER & HOSTETLER LLP

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10 thoughts onReader’s Digest Publisher Auto-Renewal Class Action Settlement

  1. James Mapes says:

    Received a check for $98 yesterday.

  2. wanda Tindall says:

    add me please

  3. Polly Lever says:

    Add me, please

  4. Fran Sedam says:

    I am not a California resident but the same thing happened to me.

  5. Doncella jenkins says:

    Please add me

  6. David Dietzel says:

    add me

  7. Tammy Nash says:

    Add me please

  8. Anthony Roberts says:

    Add me

  9. FELICIA R REDDICK says:

    add me in

  10. Heather Leyva says:

    Add me

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Please note: Top Class Actions is not a settlement administrator or law firm. Top Class Actions is a legal news source that reports on class action lawsuits, class action settlements, drug injury lawsuits and product liability lawsuits. Top Class Actions does not process claims and we cannot advise you on the status of any class action settlement claim. You must contact the settlement administrator or your attorney for any updates regarding your claim status, claim form or questions about when payments are expected to be mailed out.