Hoosiers warned about deceptive mailings touting prizes

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The state Attorney General's office is warning Indiana residents to be wary of deceptive mailings that aim to mislead consumers into believing they've won significant prizes.

The deceptive mailings are often employed to lure people to locations where they are subjected to used-car sales pitches, the state agency said Wednesday in a news release.

Attorney General Curtis Hill said that advertising firms and auto dealerships continue to use deceptive mailings even through the state has previously taken successful legal actions against such mailings. He urged Hoosiers to be vigilant.

'œMost car dealers in Indiana are good, honest, hard-working professionals,'ť Hill said in a statement. 'œUnfortunately, every industry has its share of individuals who seem bent on skirting the law in order to maximize profits.'ť

The Attorney General's office recently filed two complaints against auto prize mailing promoters engaging in such. One of those promoters was in Bartholomew County in south-central Indiana and the other was in northwestern Indiana's Lake County.

Anyone who believes they have been the victim of a scam or targeted by scammers should file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at indianaconsumer.com or by calling 1-800-382-5516.