State AG: Companies Misled With Pricey Print Subscriptions

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Minnesota's attorney general is suing four Oregon companies for magazine sales tactics she says are misleading and hurt seniors.

Lori Swanson says the companies offered magazine and newspaper subscription renewals to Minnesotans at inflated rates. Some customers didn't realize they had been scammed until publishers sent them a real renewal offer for much less.

Better Business Bureau records appear to show some of the companies are alternate names for one another. A man taking calls for the companies said he couldn't provide contact information for officials to comment.

Swanson's office says magazine scams usually target senior citizens. Some companies in the Minnesota lawsuit charged more than twice the going rate for publications like TV Guide.

Swanson wants the companies to stop the practice, pay restitution and face civil penalties.

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