California AG issues consumer alert over fake newspaper bills

California Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris issued a consumer alert Friday warning Golden State residents about fake newspaper subscription mailings, a recent scam involving several newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times.

Dozens of publications nationwide have been targeted by the scam, including the Sacramento Bee, the Arizona Republic and the Wall Street Journal. The same fake forms are mailed under a variety of names -- including “Publishers Distribution Services,” “Associated Publishers Network” or “Readers Payment Service” -- and list addresses in Oregon or Nevada to send payments.

The mailings often offer a renewal rate much greater than the newspaper’s actual price.

Harris encouraged residents to contact their newspaper directly if they had any questions about their subscriptions. Those who receive fraudulent mailings are urged to file complaints with the newspaper, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Federal Trade Commission and attorney general’s office.

“Individuals throughout California have recently received deceptive mailings that claim to be bills, invoices or renewal notices for newspaper subscriptions,” according to a statement from Harris’ office. “The mailings may appear to be legitimate renewal notices from a local newspaper, but they are most likely a scam and should be ignored and reported.”

The Times first learned one of its subscribers had been targeted in late September, said Bill Yawman, the senior director of audience development. As of mid-October, about 500 people had reported receiving the fake mailing.

Some victims told The Times they had received the fake offers but were not subscribed to the newspaper.

The mailings from “Publishers Distribution Services” or “Readers Payment Service” offer subscribers a chance to “lock in at one of our lowest rates” for a yearly renewal of $799.95 -- which Yawman said was 40% higher than the actual basic rate. The mailing lists a post office box in White City, Ore., and a website for “Publishers Payment Processing,” which has a Thornwood, N.Y., address.
The actual Times renewal statement comes with the Times logo and a downtown L.A. address. Payments can be made online or mailed to a post office box in Phoenix.

Matthew Hutchison, a spokesman for Tribune Publishing Co., said that company officials had been in touch with various law enforcement agencies regarding the scam.

The Better Business Bureau also published an alert after fielding complaints about the scam, said Steve McFarland, president and chief executive of the bureau’s operations in Los Angeles.

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