A local woman joined a professional organization. Several weeks later a notice arrived from the association that she was being sent a trial subscription to a magazine, and if she didn’t want it she had to write “cancel” on the invoice and send it back…

That’s called a “negative option.” What the notice didn’t tell her was that she was under no obligation to do anything. She didn’t have to send the notice back because merchandise that is sent in the mail without permission from the consumer may be considered a gift. Under federal law, you don’t have to pay for something you didn’t order.

The consumer debated sending the invoice back. Finally, she wrote, “cancel” and returned it, deciding that was easier than fighting with the magazine. The next thing she did was to cancel her membership in the professional organization.

If you object to this type of marketing, just be sure you ask how information about you will be used and make sure you can opt out of any direct marketing if you wish.