CONSUMERS WATCH YOUR MAIL FOR RESTITUTION INFORMATION REGARDING BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE SETTLEMENT

New Hampshire Attorney General Philip T. McLaughlin wants to remind consumers that today Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. is mailing out approximately 30,000 notices to consumers nationwide regarding the restitution program established by the Attorneys General $51.5 million settlement with Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. announced in November, 2001.

"We want to make sure all consumers understand the need to take timely action in this matter," Attorney General Philip McLaughlin said. "We believe it is vital for anyone who feels they have been wrongly denied reimbursement to be afforded every opportunity available for reconsideration."

Today, the first round of notices were sent to all consumers (about 30,000) who requested reimbursement under Bridgestone/Firestone's Voluntary Safety Tire Recall Reimbursement Program or Customer Satisfaction Program. The notices include those who received a full denial of their refund request from Bridgestone/Firestone. Those consumers will receive a letter from the Attorneys General along with a reconsideration form. If the consumer wants a refund to be reconsidered, the consumer must return the reconsideration form no later than March 11, 2002. To be eligible, the form should be addressed to State Attorneys General Multistate Working Group - Attn: Bridgestone/Firestone Settlement, Post Office Box 5155, Des Plaines, IL 60019-9971. Consumers will also receive a list of contact information for any questions they may have about the settlement.

In late January, an additional estimated 100,000 notices will be sent to consumers who requested reimbursement and received a partial denial from Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. Again, consumers will have a 60 day period to return the reconsideration forms to Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. to be eligible for the restitution program.

Consumers who return the reconsideration form will have their denial reviewed by Bridgestone/Firestone under a credible evidence standard. Bridgestone/Firestone will either: (1) pay the request for a refund or (2) contact the consumer and let the consumer know the reason for the denial and that the consumer has the right to send the denial to an independent arbitrator for review. The arbitration process is provided at no cost to consumers. A request for arbitration review must be made within 45 days by returning the request for arbitration form.

Bridgestone/Firestone has estimated that this restitution program will cost the company $10 million. However, the settlement requires Bridgestone/Firestone to complete the restitution program regardless of cost.

For additional information, consumers can log on to the following website: www.bridgestone-firestone.com.