How to cancel New Scientist in malaysia: your rights, refund window, and step-by-step guide

Why you might want to cancel New Scientist

New Scientist is a long-established science and technology magazine offering digital and print subscriptions on a recurring billing model. Your subscription renews automatically at set intervals-typically monthly or annually-unless you actively cancel before the next charge date. Many readers reach out to Yafee seeking cancellation guidance because the renewal process feels opaque, unexpected charges appear on their bank statements, or they simply no longer use the service.

What you are actually subscribed to

When you pay for New Scientist, you receive access to digital issues, premium magazine content, and (if you selected a print plan) physical copies delivered to your address. Digital Premium monthly plans cost approximately RM36, while annual digital subscriptions run around RM428. Print annual subscriptions cost approximately RM1,245. These are recurring charges-not one-off purchases-so your card is billed automatically each billing cycle unless you cancel before renewal.

The challenge most subscribers face is clarity. New Scientist does not prominently display a minimum commitment period, does not clearly explain what happens to your reading history after cancellation, and does not consistently communicate free-trial conversion terms. This is why Yafee recommends documenting your current plan, payment date, and billing channel before you proceed.

When cancellation makes sense

You should cancel if you no longer read the magazine regularly, prefer free science news sources, find the subscription price no longer justified, or want to pause before the next renewal. Cancelling at least 5 business days before your renewal date gives you the best chance of stopping the charge cleanly.

Your consumer rights and what they mean for you

Malaysia's Consumer Protection Act 1999 (CPA 1999) and Distance Contracts Regulations give you specific rights when you cancel a magazine subscription made online or by distance communication.

Your legal position in malaysia

Under the CPA 1999, you have the right to cancel most distance contracts (including subscriptions made online) within 14 calendar days of concluding the contract or, in the case of subscriptions, within 14 days of the first supply. New Scientist's own terms confirm this: you can cancel within 14 days of subscribing or renewing and receive a refund provided you notify them before the deadline. The key word is "notify"-your cancellation is valid when you send the email or submit the form, not when New Scientist acknowledges it.

If you fall outside the 14-day window, you can still cancel, but New Scientist may charge you for the current billing period. You are not entitled to a refund for future periods unless the company breaches its contract terms. Yafee advises keeping records of all cancellation communications and payment confirmations in case you need to escalate a dispute to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDN) or the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Content Forum (TTPM).

What happens if New Scientist refuses to cancel or process your refund

If New Scientist does not acknowledge your cancellation request within 10 business days, does not stop the recurring charge after you cancelled within 14 days, or refuses to refund a disputed charge, you can lodge a formal complaint with KPDN. KPDN investigates breaches of the CPA 1999 and can direct the company to provide redress. Yafee can guide you through that escalation if necessary.

You also have the right to dispute the charge directly with your card issuer (your bank) if you authorised the cancellation but the company charged you again. This is called a chargeback or reversal, and it takes 30-60 days but often succeeds because the bank requires the merchant to prove you authorised the charge after cancellation.

Pricing breakdown: what you are paying

Understanding your current plan and renewal cost is essential before you cancel, because it tells you whether you are inside or outside the 14-day refund window.

The most important row above is your current plan. Check your last invoice or bank statement to identify which one you have, because the cancellation method depends on where you subscribed.

How to cancel New Scientist step by step

Cancellation works differently depending on whether you subscribed directly with New Scientist, through Apple, or through Google Play. Follow the route that matches your payment source.

Step 1: identify your subscription channel

Open your bank statement and look at the most recent charge. If the charge says "New Scientist" or "subscribe.newscientist.com", you subscribed directly. If it says "Apple iTunes" or "Apple Media Services", you subscribed through the App Store. If it says "Google", you subscribed through Google Play. Take a screenshot of this charge and keep it for your records-you will need it if you later dispute the charge with your bank.

Step 2: cancel direct subscriptions via email

If you subscribed directly with New Scientist, send a cancellation email to [email protected]. Use the email address linked to your account and include the following information in the message body:

• Your full name
• The email address associated with your subscription
• Your subscription start date or most recent renewal date (if you know it)
• A clear statement: "I request cancellation of my New Scientist subscription with effect from the end of the current billing period."

Attach a screenshot of your account page, last invoice, or receipt if you have one. Send the email before 23:59 UK time on the 14th day after your subscription started or last renewed if you want a refund. Yafee recommends sending cancellation requests during UK business hours (8am-5pm UK time, Monday to Friday) because customer service monitors that inbox more actively, and you are more likely to receive confirmation on the same day.

Save your sent email and any confirmation response. If you do not receive a reply within 5 business days, send a follow-up email referencing your first request. Do not assume silence means cancellation-New Scientist must explicitly confirm the cancellation or the charge will process.

Step 3: cancel app store subscriptions through apple

If you subscribed through the Apple App Store (iPhone, iPad, or Mac), you must cancel directly through Apple, not through New Scientist. New Scientist cannot stop an App Store charge; only Apple can.

1. On iPhone or iPad: open Settings, tap your name, select Subscriptions, find New Scientist, and tap Cancel Subscription.
2. On Mac: open System Preferences, click your name, select Subscriptions, find New Scientist, and click Manage.
3. In a web browser: go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, navigate to Subscriptions, select New Scientist, and click Cancel.

Apple cancels the subscription immediately after you confirm. Your access continues until the end of the current billing period, but no renewal charge will be taken. Save a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation from Apple for your records.

Step 4: cancel google play subscriptions through google

If you subscribed through Google Play (Android devices or web), you must cancel through Google, not through New Scientist.

1. On an Android device: open Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, select Subscriptions, find New Scientist, and tap Cancel.
2. In a web browser: go to play.google.com, sign in, click your profile icon, select Subscriptions, find New Scientist, and click Manage. Select Cancel subscription.

Google processes the cancellation immediately. Your access ends at the conclusion of the current billing period. Take a screenshot of Google's cancellation confirmation.

Step 5: confirm cancellation in writing

Regardless of which channel you used, send a follow-up email to [email protected] documenting your cancellation request. Include the date you cancelled, the method you used (direct email, Apple, or Google), and any confirmation reference numbers or screenshots. This creates a paper trail that protects you if a surprise charge appears later.

Your refund window and when you qualify

New Scientist operates a 14-day cancellation and refund window that runs from the date you subscribed or last renewed, not from the date you request cancellation.

How to calculate your refund eligibility

Count 14 calendar days forward from your subscription start date or most recent renewal date. If you cancel within those 14 days, New Scientist must refund the full subscription fee. If you cancel after day 14, the company may charge you for the current billing period, and you forfeit any unused portion. You cannot request a prorated refund for partial months after the 14-day window closes.

Timing matters. If your renewal is on the 5th of the month and you cancel on the 19th, you are outside the refund window and you will likely lose the current month's fee. If you cancel on the 14th or earlier, you keep the refund. Yafee strongly recommends cancelling at least 5 business days before your renewal date to avoid accidental charges.

How to request a refund if you cancelled within 14 days

In your cancellation email, explicitly state: "I cancelled within 14 days of subscribing/renewing and request a full refund of [amount] paid on [date]." Include the refund amount and reference your payment method. New Scientist should process refunds within 10-14 business days to the original card or payment method. If you do not see the refund after 14 days, follow up with a second email citing the CPA 1999 14-day cancellation right.

Yafee advises against accepting partial refunds or account credits if you are entitled to a full refund. The law entitles you to money back, not store credit, unless you explicitly agree otherwise.

What happens after you cancel

Cancellation is final, but you have options for what to do next.

Access after cancellation

Once you cancel, your access to premium content ends at the close of the current billing period. You will not be able to log in to read new issues after that date, and New Scientist will not restore your reading history if you resubscribe later. Download or screenshot any articles you need to keep before your access expires. Yafee recommends doing this at least 3 days before the access cut-off.

Resubscribing or pausing

If you want to pause rather than permanently end your subscription, contact [email protected] and ask for a "pause" or "hold" instead of cancellation. Some companies allow 30-day pauses before the next charge. New Scientist may or may not honor this-it depends on their current pause policy-but it is worth asking if you think you might return.

If you resubscribe after cancellation, you will not retain your previous reading history or preferences. You start as a new subscriber, which means a new 14-day refund window applies.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling

Most cancellation failures happen because subscribers take the wrong action or misunderstand the timing. You are not alone if you have felt confused-Yafee sees these errors every week, and they are entirely preventable with the right approach.

Mistake 1: cancelling through the wrong channel

The most common error is emailing New Scientist to cancel an App Store or Google Play subscription. New Scientist cannot cancel those subscriptions because Apple and Google control the billing. You must cancel directly through Apple or Google. Cancelling through the wrong channel wastes time and leaves you vulnerable to the next renewal charge.

Mistake 2: assuming silence means cancellation

Many subscribers send a cancellation email and assume the job is done if they do not receive a reply. In reality, New Scientist does not always send confirmation emails. The absence of a response does not mean your cancellation was processed. Follow up within 5 business days if you do not hear back, and save all email confirmations you do receive.

Mistake 3: cancelling too close to the renewal date

If you cancel on the same day as your renewal charge, the charge often processes before your cancellation is recorded in the system. Cancel at least 5 business days before renewal to give New Scientist or Apple/Google time to update your account status. If you miss this window, contact customer service immediately and request a reversal of the charge.

Mistake 4: not documenting the refund request

If you cancel within 14 days and qualify for a refund, mention the refund explicitly in your cancellation email. Do not assume New Scientist will automatically refund you just because you cancelled early. State the amount, the date paid, and the payment method clearly. This creates an undeniable record if you later need to dispute the charge with your bank.

How to escalate if New Scientist does not cooperate

If New Scientist ignores your cancellation request, refuses to process a refund you are entitled to, or charges you after you cancelled, you have formal escalation routes under Malaysian law.

Step 1: request written confirmation

Send a registered letter or email (with read receipt) to [email protected] stating: "I submitted a cancellation request on [date]. I did not receive confirmation. Please provide written confirmation of cancellation status and expected refund date within 5 business days." Keep a copy of this letter.

Step 2: lodge a complaint with KPDN

If New Scientist does not respond within 10 business days or refuses your refund, file a complaint with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Kos Hidup). You can file online at www.kpdn.gov.my or visit a local KPDN office. Provide all email correspondence, payment proof, and cancellation requests. KPDN investigates and can direct the company to refund you. Yafee can help you prepare this complaint if needed.

Step 3: dispute the charge with your bank

If the charge appears after you cancelled, contact your bank's fraud or chargeback department and explain that you cancelled within the legal refund period but the merchant charged you anyway. Provide all cancellation correspondence and payment statements. Your bank will contact New Scientist and, in most cases, will reverse the charge within 60 days. This is often faster than waiting for KPDN to investigate.

Quick cancellation checklist

Use this checklist to ensure you have taken every necessary step before and after cancellation.

How to contact New Scientist for support

New Scientist operates customer service primarily through email. Physical offices or postal addresses for Malaysia are not publicly listed. Contact details are as follows:

Email: [email protected]

Email (general inquiries): [email protected]

Customer service hours: 8am-9pm UK time (GMT/BST), Monday to Friday

Note that response times are typically slowest during Malaysian evening hours due to the time difference. For urgent matters, send your request during UK business hours (early morning Malaysia time). Keep all email correspondence and confirmation numbers.

Final thoughts: why yafee makes cancellation easier

Cancelling a subscription should be simple, but companies like New Scientist often make it deliberately obscure to prevent people from leaving. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover refunds by cutting through this confusion and grounding your rights in concrete law. You have the right to cancel within 14 days under the Consumer Protection Act 1999. You have the right to dispute charges with your bank. You have the right to escalate to KPDN if the company ignores you.

Use this guide to navigate your cancellation confidently. Document every step, meet the 14-day window if you want a refund, and escalate if New Scientist does not cooperate. Yafee remains here to help if you need guidance on any of these steps or if you face pushback from the company. Your rights are clear-make sure New Scientist respects them.