This Bay Area County Settles Lawsuit Over Fraudulent Magazine Billing Scheme

MARIN COUNTY, CA — The County of Marin has settled a lawsuit with a magazine company accused of fraudulent billing practices.

The lawsuit was against Pacific Magazine Billing, which is based in San Diego County. According to the Marin County District Attorney's Office, the company violated California's False Advertising and Unfair Competition laws.

The company was fined $275,000.

“The company’s business model was a scheme built on deception,” said Michael Wear, Marin County Deputy District Attorney. “Consumers believed they were paying legitimate bills, when in fact they were being scammed. Our action puts a stop to Pacific Magazine Billing’s fraudulent practices. Companies that prey on Marin County residents will face consequences. We will come after you — and we will shut you down.”

Pacific Magazine Billing, under the settlement terms, is permanently banned from sending solicitations for magazine subscriptions and from mailing solicitations that resemble bills or invoices.

An investigation into the company started in 2022 after receiving complaints from customers. That investigation uncovered the company mailed tens of millions of deceptive solicitations to households across the country from 2016 to 2020, prosecutor's said. They were designed to look like legitimate bills for existing subscriptions — but they weren't, prosecutors said.