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Question Regarding Free Travel. In view of the vague wording in the solicitations used by travel promoters, such as "certificate of entitlement," "certificate of authorization," "certificate of notification," or similar designations, recipients are led to believe that they are the winners of free travel offerings. Unfortunately, the recipients are only being given an opportunity to purchase a travel package of questionable value.
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| | More "900" Number Scams |
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Question Regarding More "900" Number Scams. My mother was billed for $2,286.18 for calling the numbers in response to sweepstakes promotions before we asked for a "900" number block on her phone.
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| | Direct Mail |
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Question Regarding Direct Mail. Recently I established the Senior Volunteer Assistance Program which is designed to work with seniors and their families to assist them with telemarketing and direct mail scams. To help reduce the amount of unsolicited mail, you can write to the following address and request that your name be placed on a list of those who do not wish to receive unsolicited mail:
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| | "900" Number Scams |
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Thank you for contacting my office about the telephone bill you received for calls to psychic hotlines. A Senior Advocate on my staff contacted AT&T and has been successful in having the charges removed from your phone bill.
Unfortunately, these types of promotions are increasing, and are written in such a way that they are tempting to many consumers.
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| | Sweepstakes Promotions |
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Question Regarding Sweepstakes Promotions. It is against the law for a company promoting a sweepstakes to require a purchase as a condition of participation in the sweepstakes, or even to give an advantage to those consumers who make purchases. Further, it is against the law for a company promoting a sweepstakes to charge a handling fee, processing fee or similar levy in order to participate in or win a sweepstakes.
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| | Refunds |
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Question to the Attorney General Regarding Refunds. I am pleased to inform you that I successfully sponsored legislation, effective October 1, 1996, that prohibits telemarketers, like the one that solicited you, from collecting any money from you or accessing your bank accounts prior to you signing a written contract that discloses the full terms of the transaction.
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| | Dating Services |
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Question Regarding Dating Services. I am pleased to inform you that I sponsored legislation, effective October 1, 1996, that will require dating services to include in their contracts a buyer's right to cancel which may be exercised within three business days of the entry into a dating service contract.
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| | Magazine Promotions |
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Magazine Promotion Question. It is very important for consumers not to give out bank account numbers or credit card numbers to businesses with which they may not be familiar. It is illegal in Connecticut to conduct a promotion in which all or a substantial number of those consumers participating receive the same prize or opportunity. In these situations, the enterprise is simply a promotional scheme designed to make contact with prospective customers and is not a legitimate giveaway opportunity.
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| | Sweepstakes |
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Questions Regarding Sweepstakes. I have proposed a law that would better protect consumers from being ripped off by requiring up front disclosure of the chances of winning, as well as banning some of the practices used by the industry. Despite continuing efforts directed at consumer education about telemarketing fraud, it is sometimes insufficient in preventing seniors from being victimized. Unfortunately, we have had to intercede on behalf of seniors who have triple-ordered subscriptions to magazines that they would never have any desire to read, believing that they were increasing their chances to win a $10 million sweepstakes.
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| | Foreign Lotteries |
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Question Regarding Foreign Lotteries. Please be advised that the sale of foreign lottery tickets is not legal in this state. My office has been actively encouraging federal officials to pursue these obvious violations of federal lottery laws against promoters of foreign lotteries.
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| | "Suckers List" |
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How to Avoid Getting on a "Suckers List" and What To Do If You Wind Up On A "Suckers List". Telemarketing and sweepstakes scams perpetrated upon the seniors of our State were my primary motivation for forming the Senior Volunteer Assistance Program in my office. I have recruited senior retirees to help victims of these scams get money back from the con artists.
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