Stakes ‘winner’ parted with her money

Susan Kelley of Bath wrote to inform Northeast COMBAT that she had received a letter from RSVP Services Ltd. of Minneapolis, Minn.

Kelley sent us a copy of the letter. It stated, “We wish to inform you that your name has been chosen as a winner in a sweepstakes connected to a very well-known company. You have already won one of the following prizes. There is no cost or purchase obligation. Your prize is identified as one of the following: a gorgeously simulated diamond ring; a trip for two to the island of Jamaica; or an amazing watercraft.

“Your gift will be shipped from our complex and delivered to your home by a United States government employee. A $5 shipping and handling charge is requested.”

Susan Kelley thought that a $5 investment, no matter which prize was hers, would be a good investment. She mailed out a check that same day.

Several weeks later a second letter arrived from RSVP Services Ltd. She read, “You have won again, Ms. Kelley. We wish to inform you that you have been awarded an amazing watercraft from the first drawing. Our sedond prize drawing was held last week. You have won a cash prize.

“Please send us payment of $23 which will cover the cost of sending you your money prize.”

Kelley told us that she was very excited at the thought that she had won not only the watercraft but also some money. She mailed out a check for $23 immediately.

One month went by without any further contact from the company. Kelley wrote to RSVP Services Ltd. requesting her prizes.

She waited a second month. When no prizes appeared, Kelley contacted Northeast COMBAT.

A COMBAT caseworker wrote to RSVP Services Ltd. describing the prizes that their correspondence named to Susan Kelley and requested that they follow through by sending her the watercraft and the cash award.

Two weeks later we received a letter from Susan Kelley. She wrote, “I am still in shock. I received my prizes from RSVP Services Ltd., Minneapolis, Minn. I sent these people $28 in total for an `inner tube’ and a check for $1. That is for the advertised `amazing watercraft’ and a `cash prize.’ I can’t believe that I fell for that. Is there anything else you can do about this?”

Northeast COMBAT wrote a second letter to the business. We reiterated what we had written the first time and went on to say:

“Ms. Kelley received both the amazing watercraft and a cash prize. Need we go on to why we feel that you are in direct violation of Maine’s Unfair Trade Practice Law? At this time we are requesting that you send Susan Kelley a full refund in the amount of $28 within the next 14 days. If you do as we request, we will drop this matter. However, if you choose not to honor our request, we will have no alternative but to contact the following agencies to examine your business practices, check into the possibility of consumer fraud and work actively on behalf of Ms. Kelley by contacting you directly. Letters will be sent to Minnesota’s attorney general; district attorney of your county; Federal Trade Commission; mayor of your city; postal inspector; and the Better Business Bureau. The choice is yours.”

Ten days later we received a letter from RSVP Services Inc. It told us that a check in the amount of $28 was being sent to Susan Kelley. It went on to say that Kelley could keep the amazing watercraft and the money prize as well.

The next day, Kelley called to tell us what her correspondence from RSVP Services said. It was identical to ours.

“Thank you ever so much for your time and effort,” she wrote. “Consider it a job well done, COMBAT.”

Consumer Forum is a collaborative effort of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast COMBAT. Send your questions to Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329. COMBAT is a membership organization with basic dues of $10 a year. For membership information write to the above address. Please enclose a large, stamped, self-addressed envelope.