The New Hampshire Attorney General has joined a group of federal, state and local agencies and national advocacy organizations in highlighting consumer protection and education efforts around the country during this seventh annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), February 6-12, 2005.

Attorney General Kelly Ayotte reports that several current scams in the New Hampshire area have a common thread - the electronic withdrawal of funds from the consumer’s checking account.

A scam that guarantees a government grant will be given to the consumer who orders a special guide and instructions over the phone has impacted several New Hampshire residents. This cleverly disguised telephone con sounds official, but once the consumer gives their checking account information, their account is debited approximately $300 and the package that later comes in the mail is nothing more than a list of organizations that may offer grants; information that can easily be obtained for free.

A guaranteed approved credit card with a limit of $2,500 or more is another offer that has convinced residents of New Hampshire and consumers nationwide to authorize an electronic withdrawal of about $300 from their checking account. Once the withdrawal is processed, the consumer waits for the credit card to arrive in the mail. In many cases, the card never arrives. In other cases, the consumer receives a catalog of retail items that can be purchased on credit with the card, but the card is not a major credit card, and cannot be used for any purpose other than to purchase items from the catalog that came with the card.

Other ploys that prey on checking account funds include several types of sweepstakes and lottery scams. The Spanish, Canadian, or any foreign lottery require the “winner” to pay a fee for insurance, taxes, customs, or any reason is always a fraud. The fees may be wired, or may be electronically transferred from the “winner’s” account.

The Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau strongly cautions consumers against giving out bank account information over the phone or over the Internet. “The Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau is available for questions from 8 to 5 weekdays, and we encourage our residents to call if there are any questions about giving out any type of personal information”, said Attorney General Ayotte. “We hope to arm consumers with knowledge which will limit the harm, frustration and expense that can result from these scams.” The Consumer Hotline at the Attorney General’s Office can be reached by calling (603) 271-3641.

For more information, visit Consumer Protection & Antitrust Bureau web site or Federal Trade Commission web site.