 Direct Mail
Schemes
"Someone sent me a newspaper clipping with a product that's supposed to
reverse the effects of aging. On the article was a handwritten note that said, 'Try this.
It works! R.' I don't know who R is. Is this product on the level? What should I do?"
Some direct-mail marketers advertise their products through ads disguised as
"clippings" sent by unnamed "friends." The fact is that R doesn't
exist. The company got your name from a mailing list and sent the note from R to you and
thousands of other consumers.
Other popular tricks are to design the envelope to look like a check or letter
from a government agency, or to mimic the style of urgent overnight mail deliveries.
If a company uses a deceptive tactic on the outside of an envelope, be skeptical
about what's inside, too. Report any questionable solicitation you receive in the mail to
your local Postmaster or Postal Inspector. Check the phone book for the phone number.
WHO CARES:
- CHIEF POSTAL INSPECTOR
- Washington, D.C.
- 202-268-4298
-
- YOUR STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL
-
- Division of Advertising Practices
- 6th Street and Pennsylvania Ave., NW
- Washington, D.C. 20580
- 202-326-3131
-
- Information Center
- 1-800-222-2225 (toll-free/voice)
- 1-800-222-4225 (toll-free/TTY)
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If you have any questions or comments on senior health
nutrition, fitness, etc., go to the Senior Health
Forum where we are talking about the following:
The information contained in these pages
is for educational / reference use only.
Sources:
FTC
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