Office Depot recently sent emails to customers stating they had signed up for a free trial of a program called Business Select. However, many recipients did not actually sign up for the trial. The confusing emails sparked concern and questions over whether it was a scam, glitch, or security breach.
Is Office Depot Free Trial Email a Scam or Technical Error?
The emails from [email protected] claimed recipients had signed up for a free one-month Business Select trial that would automatically charge them $49 after the first month if they did not cancel.
Understandably, many were confused because they never enrolled in the program. Upon investigating, most found no evidence of an active subscription in their Office Depot accounts.
This indicated the emails were sent in error, rather than being an actual free trial signup. Office Depot’s customer service phone lines acknowledged the problem and said they were looking into the matter.
Based on the scale of the error and inconsistencies in some account details, it appears to have been a technical glitch or email test gone wrong. Though Office Depot has not provided an official explanation yet.
What to Do If You Received the Email
If you are among those who received the misleading Business Select email, here are some tips:
- Do not click any links or provide personal information. Go directly to Office Depot’s website to check your account.
- Change your password and enable two-factor authentication as a precaution.
- Remove any stored payment information to prevent potential misuse.
- Contact Office Depot customer service to inquire about the email and verify you are not actually enrolled.
- Monitor your accounts closely for any suspicious activity just in case it was a security breach.
- Report the email to Office Depot and the FTC to make them aware of the issue.
How to Cancel Business Select Membership
For those who may have legitimately signed up for an Office Depot Business Select membership, you can cancel in a few ways:
- Log into your Office Depot account online, go to “My Subscriptions” under “My Account” and cancel the membership.
- Call the Office Depot Member Services number at 1-888-313-4851 and request to cancel over the phone.
- Cancellations within the first 30 days may be eligible for a full refund of the annual fee.
Protect Yourself from Email Phishing Scams
While this particular incident appears accidental, it’s a good reminder to be vigilant against phishing scams sent via email. Here are some tips:
- Never click links or attachments in unsolicited emails. Go directly to the company’s website.
- Don’t reply to suspicious emails or provide personal information.
- Verify the sender’s email address looks official and matches previous emails.
- Check for poor spelling, grammar, or urgent tones which are red flags.
- If unsure, contact the company directly to confirm legitimacy.
- Use unique passwords and two-factor authentication when available.
- Keep software updated and use antivirus/anti-malware protection.
Office Depot Apologizes for Erroneous Emails
Following customer complaints, Office Depot sent a follow-up apology email acknowledging the Business Select messages were sent in error.
The company said recipients would not actually be enrolled or charged unless they consciously signed up for the program themselves.
While Office Depot affirmed no harm was done, the confusing lapse understandably caused distress and inconvenience for many customers. It serves as a reminder for consumers to exercise caution when receiving unsolicited offers.
For now, it seems Office Depot simply made a mistake and sent emails they should not have. But affected customers would appreciate more transparency into how this error occurred in the first place.
