Members of the DMA will remove the names of these consumers from their customer and prospect lists when requested. These consumers will not receive unwanted promotions. Volunteer to review sweepstakes mailings together with the older person to make sure that the person understands them. Point out that no purchase is necessary to enter the sweepstakes. Review credit card statements together, ask about multiple or questionable charges to the same company.
Some fraudulent companies pass themselves off as legitimate sweepstakes marketers.
Operators for these fraudulent companies will often call elderly consumers and inform the consumer that they have won a large prize and must pay a fee to collect it. Legitimate sweepstakes marketers will never require a purchase or payment of any kind to enter or claim a prize. If you have a problem and cannot get it resolved first by the company sponsoring the sweepstakes, you can contact the Direct Marketing Association. For more information on sweepstakes, you can visit the Direct Marketing Association's Web site . To learn more about fraud, and how to avoid it CIC features The 1998-1999 Consumer's Resource Handbook .