beware AARP membership renewal notices

. . . and to that the 'free gift' of an AC/DC power charger which lasted for 10 minutes before it stopped working can be added!

Agreed, Michaelg! I have "lifetime" membership bought when I was eligible in 2004 (and have bought for Mom, then Sis and Bro when those two became eligible) so we have to patrol Mom's mail for these renewal notices.

I spoke to AARP when I received the first one for me and they attempted to blame it on data issues; I haven't wasted my time on the following notices (15+ years or so). At some point some shyster lawyer will launch a class-action suit, I'm sure...

#StaySafe

I, too, have received multiple notifications for renewal of membership dues.  I finally paid for a couple of more years of membership (to insure my elegibility for United Health Insurance).  I now have three membership cards, one for a former wife, all received AFTER I spoke with a lady in member services.  After my last payment was received by AARP (December 2021), I received a notification that I had paid for ADDITIONAL years on top of the two more years for which I had already received credit.  This makes me question how AARP manages funds in general.  

About five years ago, I complained to AARP that they were not crediting me for dues paid in advance.  After months of hearing nothing, I received a check for the overpayment.  No explanation that I recall.  Just the check.  Gotta wonder how much that kind of paperwork costs the association.  

We, too, have been scammed! AARP sent a five year renewal approx 3 months before expiration. I promptly paid the full $63 for 5 yr renewal. Three weeks later more junk mail from AARP....requesting our renewal(same membership) with a new discounted renewal price of $45 for 5 yrs also a 4 piece luggage organizer set upon prompt renewal. THIS IS ASS BACKWARDS!!! Why are we not given the reduced price with goodies to pay early???  I want the $18 credit and the luggage or I will be cancelling for a full refund! We have been member since 2010. 

AARP's shady billing practices are precisely what bring me to the site today, although I've been complaining for years. What makes these practices unconscionable is the fact that some elderly people (those with cognitive problems, say, or folks who may not keep careful records) won't realize that they're forking over cash to AARP for no reason.

Whenever I've complained, AARP has responded with an "oops" letter of apology, but nothing changes. It's hard not to wonder if the company's billing practices are not, in fact, deliberately misleading.

@michaelg222537  I suspected something was odd with all the many early renewal notices I was also receiving, but sadly chose to ignore what was revealed as a deliberate and misleading practice. I am appalled that the Board of Directors of AARP.org a (non-profit) decided to overlook these actions in favor of monetary gain. 

I have always accused the administrator of the AARP Rewards Program for it's unsatisfactory performance in the programs activities i.e. Rewards Instant Wins, Points Only gift cards, Daily Deals, Sweepstakes and discounted gift cards only to realize management may be instructed to keep the $ value of all rewards as mediocre as possible. Just Saying 

I constantly receive renewal notices sometimes a year or more before renewal is needed, I questioned this and asked them to discontinue the constant notices but still receive them, I just throw them in the garbage.

I have the same complaint. AARP will constantly send renewal notices months before your membership expires. I find this practice extremely irritating and because of it, I have stopped contributing to other causes that AARP champions for. I’m wondering if others feel the same way?

HEY AARP.  I COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS YEARS AGO ALSO.  JUST STOP IT. YOUR REPUTATION IS AT STAKE AND LEGAL ACTION IS EVENTUALLY INEVITABLE.  ALSO, I JUST LOOKED AT MY ACCOUNT ONLINE AND IT SAYS MY EXPIRATION IS FEB. 28.  FOR MANY YEARS IT HAS BEEN SEPTEMBER, SO WHERE DID MY HALF YEAR OF MEMBERSHIP GO?

 I came seeking an answer to another membership question and ran into this post. I am disgusted with this practice of premature renewals also. The ironic situation is that AARP writes and cautions so many individuals not to fall for fraud and illegal and unethical schemes. Many magazine subscriptions are also guilty of premature renewal notices that imply a membership is about to expire and my elderly Mom was baited into several. When we moved her into assisted living we discovered she had a paid up membership for years. ( 6 or 7) with Readers Digest. She paid a renewal form every time she got one in the mail. At that time they were delivered in an address sleeve that was always tossed away, she was never online, didn't know how to go online. It's the seniors who really get taken advantage here. Come on AARP, practice what you preach and what you try to warn seniors NOT to fall for.