AG POSES MOTHER'S DAY QUESTION? WHO ELSE IS CALLING YOUR MOTHER?

May 8, 2002

MAY 8, 2002

CONTACT: Charles Dow, Director, Communications And Legislative Affairs
207-626-8577

Attorney General Steven Rowe today urged Mainers to give their mothers a great gift for the price of a postage stamp: get their names placed on the telemarketing Do Not Call list.

Attorney General Rowe said, "We know that senior citizens are sometimes targeted by telemarketers, and that the calls can be very bothersome and confusing. We should all save our moms the hassles and write to the Direct Marketing Association to get their names and numbers on the Do Not Call list."

Maine law requires telemarketers selling consumer merchandise to update their Do Not Call lists against the master Do Not Call list maintained by the Direct Marketing Association every six months. After that, the telemarketer may not call a person on the list unless there is already an established business relationship between them.

Letters to the Direct Marketing Association should include the names and phone numbers to be placed on the Do Not Call list and should be addressed to:

Direct Marketing Association
Telephone Preference Center
PO Box 9014
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9014

Rowe also urged Mainers to place their own names and numbers on the Do Not Call list, saying, "Peace and quiet and freedom from annoying calls are great gifts to give ourselves any time."

Attorney General Steven Rowe noted that sellers of fraudulent investments frequently target the elderly. "If the promised rate of return on an investment seems too good to be true, it probably is not true," said Rowe.

According to Christine A. Bruenn, Securities Administrator for the State, securities must be registered with the State, and sellers of securities must be licensed. Bruenn recommends that Maine residents check out potential investments with her office by calling, toll-free, 1-877-624-8551. Residents also should use the toll-free number for questions or complaints about anyone selling investments.