Categories: NewsTexas

AG Paxton: Final Default Judgment Granted Against Companies for Subscription Scam

AUSTIN – The Office of the Attorney General secured a Final Default Judgment on Friday halting three Oregon-based corporations from offering subscription renewal services. The judgment stems from a lawsuit against Liberty Publishers Inc., Express Publishers Service, Inc. and Orbital Publishing Group, Inc. who violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

The named companies deceived Texas consumers into paying for publication subscription renewals by sending out notices for magazines and newspapers but were not authorized to act as agents for the periodicals. Texas Consumers reported paying 100 to 200 percent more than they would have if they renewed using an authorized sales agent of the publisher. The Travis County District Court found that the deceptive companies conducted at least 106 violations of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and granted the State $424,000 in civil penalties. The subscription companies did not file an answer nor did they appear for hearings. 

Defendants mailed bogus renewal offers to subscribers for the following Texas publications: Austin American-Statesman, Austin Business Journal, Dallas Business Journal, The Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Houston Business Journal, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News, Texas Fish & Game, Texas Monthly and Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine.

Renewal offers were also sent to a number of subscribers for the following national publications: The American Spectator Magazine, Barron’s Magazine, Catholic Digest, Consumer Reports, Forbes, Harper’s Magazine, Mother Earth News, National Enquirer Magazine, National Geographic, National Review Magazine, The New York Times, Reader’s Digest, Science News, Southern Living, The Economist, The Word Among Us, Time Magazine, TV Guide, U.S. News & World Report, Utne Reader and The Wall Street Journal.

To view a copy of the Final Default Judgment click here: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/files/epress/11_Final_Default_Judgment.pdf?cachebuster:21

Share
Published by
Staff

Recent Posts

San Marcos City Council reviews Sidewalk Maintenance and Gap Infill Program

The San Marcos City Council received a presentation on the Sidewalk Maintenance and Gap Infill…

2 years ago

San Marcos River Rollers skate on and rebuild

The San Marcos River Rollers have skated through obstacles after taking a two-year break during…

2 years ago

After 8 Years, San Marcos Corridor News Bids Our Readers Farewell

San Marcos Corridor News has been reporting on the incredible communities in the Hays County…

2 years ago

High bacteria levels at Jacobs Well halts swimming season

Visitors won't be able to swim in the crystal clear waters of the Jacobs Well Natural…

2 years ago

Pets of the Week: Meet Sally & Nutella!

Looking to adopt or foster animals from the local shelter? Here are the San Marcos…

2 years ago

Texas still leads in workplace deaths among Hispanics

The Lone Star State leads the nation in labor-related accidents and especially workplace deaths and…

2 years ago

This website uses cookies.