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March 2001

Last September, I wrote about a postcard that I received in the mail. It had a drawing of a couple of cute-looking peanuts that were saying, "We're Going Nuts Trying To Reach You!!" It was some company trying to present themselves as somebody that I had been in contact with before. Well, I received a similar mailing just this past weekend! I have to admit that I am entertained by the creativity of these scammers, and I find it funny that they go through all sorts of ways to try to get people to contact them.

This time they sent one of those envelopes that looks like the ones you receive when you get your secret ATM code in the mail. You know, the kind that is two-ply, carbon, and you have to tear off tabs on all four sides to open it? On the front it says: "Important Delivery Letter" and its return address is listed as "N.M.E., 16120 U.S. 19 North, Clearwater, FL, 33764." Inside it states that "they" are trying to reach me regarding my $1,000,000.00!

It also goes on to mention that the "prize" will be awarded as 30 annual installments of $33,333.34 each! It lists an 800-number I can call and it also provides an ID number to use. (Because goodness knows, they have so many million-dollar winners they have to keep track of who claims what!)

And then, very interestingly, there is a very small box with even smaller text that states:

• Upon selection, winner will be required to complete, sign and return an affidavit of eligibility and release of liability/publicity which must be received by National Magazine Exchange's designated agent within 14 days or an alternate winner will be selected at random. (If it's my money, why do I have to do all that?)
• There is no purchase required to enter or win and a purchase will not improve your chances of winning. (Big Fat Lie!)
• Sponsor: National Magazine Exchange. (Hint: They're selling magazines subscriptions!)
• You've been approved to receive our magazine offer on credit. (What magazine offer? I thought you were trying to find me to let me know about my million dollars?)
• One prize of $1,000,000.00 will be awarded as an annuity payable in 30 installments of $33,333.34. The prize is guaranteed to be awarded and delivered within approximately 90 days of receipt of executed affidavit. (Affidavit?)

Please read the following - that should answer any additional questions you may have:

Originally published in the Fresno Bee on May 24, 1999

Consumers have been calling the BBB (Better Business Bureau) recently with inquiries and complaints about National Magazine Exchange in Clearwater, FL. The National Magazine Exchange has been in our files since 1995. The company mass mails notices inviting people to call and enter the Million Dollar "Strike it Rich" Sweepstakes. They say in their mailing that no purchase is necessary to enter the sweepstakes and the odds of winning are determined by the number of people who enter. When you read the fine print, you find out that the company estimates the odds at no more than 1 in 100 million.

The sweepstakes promotion is used by the company to promote magazine subscriptions. In checking with the BBB in Clearwater we found that the company has received numerous complaints alleging billing disputes, misinterpretation of the sweepstakes promotion and a misunderstanding of the company's billing terms.

Mailings like this are not unusual. Our experience is that all these sweepstakes offers have very high odds, promise wonderful prizes on the front and take them away on the back, and all want to get you to buy something or send money. As with all these sweepstakes mailings, if you have to pay anything, you haven't won anything. In addition, if you're interested in purchasing a magazine subscription our experience is that you can often save yourself hundreds of dollar by simply doing a little bit of shopping around. Often, when a magazine subscription is tied to some other promotion, you're paying top dollar.

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