California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with several district attorneys from across the state, announced a settlement with Pacific Magazine Billing. The company faced allegations of misleading consumers by sending solicitation mailers disguised as bills for magazine subscriptions. The settlement includes a $275,000 payment and prohibits the company from participating in the mail order magazine solicitation industry.
Attorney General Bonta stated, “In California, we boast nation-leading consumer protection laws — robust tools my office and the offices of local law enforcement partners can use to protect our residents. Pacific Magazine Billing used dishonest tactics to trick recipients into thinking they owed money to get consumers to sign up for a magazine subscription.” He added that the settlement sends a message to companies against deceiving consumers.
Alameda District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson emphasized that deceptive business practices exploiting people in Alameda County will not be tolerated. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman highlighted that his office would not tolerate unscrupulous companies profiting from deception and disguising offers as legitimate invoices.
Marin County Deputy District Attorney Michael Wear described the company’s business model as “a scheme built on deception,” where consumers were misled into paying fake bills. San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins encouraged consumers who receive confusing or unsolicited mailers to contact her office’s consumer protection unit.
Sonoma District Attorney Carla Rodriguez reiterated her division’s commitment to holding businesses accountable when they mislead California consumers.
The investigation into Pacific Magazine Billing began in late 2022 following consumer complaints. It revealed that between 2016 and 2022, the company sent tens of millions of deceptive mailers designed to look like bills for existing magazine subscriptions.
The settlement resolves allegations that Pacific Magazine Billing violated California’s False Advertising and Unfair Competition Laws. The $275,000 payment will fund the enforcement of consumer protection laws. Additionally, the company has agreed to stop issuing solicitations for magazine subscriptions and mailing solicitations designed as bills in any other business effort.
Attorney General Bonta continues to work with law enforcement partners statewide to protect California consumers. Previous settlements include cases involving predatory real estate schemes and violations related to data collection without parental consent in mobile apps.
The complaint and final judgment are pending court approval.
