From time to time we report on frauds being perpetrated on Christians. This time we need to tell you about a problem that affects some subscribers of Christianity Today:

Unauthorized subscription dealers are soliciting renewals to CT. That is, some person or group is pretending that they represent CT or the subscription service we employ. They ask current CT subscribers to renew their subscription, and then they request payment. Naturally enough, they do not fulfill the subscription and simply pocket the money.

You would think catching such people would be easy. Apparently it's not. And get this: There are ways to do this that are so close to being legal, it's really hard to prosecute such schemes successfully! While we continue to investigate the problem, you can help by simply being alert.

How can you tell if the renewal letter you receive is really from us? If you receive a request to renew your order to Christianity Today, the renewal form will have our logo prominently printed on the offer. Legitimate renewal notices will ask that your check be made payable to Christianity Today and that your payment be mailed to our processing center located in Des Moines or Boone, Iowa. If you receive any offer that requests your check be made payable to any entity other than Christianity Today, please be suspicious of it.

Please do not hesitate to contact our subscription service at 1-800-999-1704 or tdycustserv@cdsfulfillment.com if you have any questions, concerns, or have received a suspicious piece of mail.

Many readers will recognize the byline of two articles in this issue, that of Douglas LeBlanc (see "Wildheart" on page 30, and "Affectionate Patriarchs" on page 45). But many will not realize that Doug ...