Other LanguagesSEATTLE – Two online companies that promised consumers “free” big-ticket items but required them to pay for trial offers and subscriptions must pay $55,000 in civil penalties under a settlement announced today by the Washington Attorney General’s Office. Under the terms of the settlement, SubscriberBASE Holdings, Inc., of Columbia, S.C., and SubscriberBASE, Inc., can no longer offer such promotions to Washington residents. The companies also agreed to refund more than 35,000 Washington consumers who paid for products and services in order to qualify for the so-called “free” items.
Attorney General Rob McKenna and Gov. Chris Gregoire will honor two law enforcement officers at this year’s Washington State Law Enforcement Medal of Honor Ceremony on Friday, May 2-- Deputy Michael O. Estes, Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office and Officer Gary Shilley, Puyallup Police Department.
SEATTLE – A defunct business that sold magazines on eBay agreed to refund consumers who never received their orders, under a settlement announced today by Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna. The Attorney General’s Office sued Cheapest-Magz, which formerly operated in Bremerton then California, and its owners Wilmyr Dagohoy and Eireen Ejem-Dagohoy, in October 2007, alleging that their practices violated the state Consumer Protection Act.
SEATTLE – Weeks after Puget Sound Energy informed customers by mail that it wants to raise gas and electric rates, the company is seeking more money – nearly $6 million more than its original request. The Public Counsel Section of the Attorney General’s Office, which represents residential and small business customers, is opposing PSE’s request and today filed a response with the state Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission. Two other consumer groups – The Energy Project, an advocacy group for limited-income consumers, and the Industrial Customers of Northwest Utilities – have joined Public Counsel’s opposition.
Attorney General Rob McKenna will visit Redmond on Friday, April 25, to promote identity theft prevention and assist the public in keeping sensitive documents out of the hands of crooks. Frontline will be on site to destroy sensitive documents for consumers and small businesses at no charge.
SEATTLE – Approximately 200 Washington consumers who paid for a service that they thought would help save their homes from foreclosure will receive partial refunds under a new settlement announced today by the Washington Attorney General’s Office.
SEATTLE -- Attorney General Rob McKenna today released the final results from the state’s year-long investigation into gas prices. The investigation, which included an in-depth analysis of factors influencing prices at the pump, found variations across Washington communities are due to the cost of obtaining and transporting fuel to stations and local competition – not illegal price manipulation. Increasing worldwide demand for oil and an inability for regional refineries to meet local supply demands are the primary contributors to erratically climbing prices, experts added.
SEATTLE – Six small businesses in Washington state that lost phone and Internet services when their telecommunications provider, NorVergence, Inc., went bankrupt in 2004 will not have to pay the full amount due on their rental contracts, the Washington State Attorney General’s Office announced today.
SEATTLE - Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna today expressed concerns over the recently announced online advertising alliance between Google Inc. and Yahoo! Inc.
The Washington Attorney General’s Antitrust Division has received several inquiries and concerns regarding the new “print on demand” or “POD” policy recently implemented by Amazon.com.