N.J. considers ban on mailed unsolicited checks
Monday, November 30th, 2009
By: Phil Gregory
philgregorynews@gmail.com
You may want to think twice before cashing in any free checks mailed by marketers. A New Jersey lawmaker says they're not what they seem.
Listen:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
They just show up in the mail. Unsolicited checks that if cashed or deposited enroll you in a costly program or make you pay for services you may not want to purchase. Assemblyman Paul Moriarty wants to ban businesses from sending out those checks.
Moriarty: This is really a deceptive practice. Many people especially seniors don't see the very fine print that says by signing this check and cashing it you have enrolled yourself in a travel club or some other type of club and I think that this practice should be banned.
Businesses that violate the proposed ban would face fines of $10,000 or more. Morarity says his measure will go to the Assembly's Consumer Affairs Committee, and he's hopeful it can be enacted before the end of the year.