Sweepstakes Costs

Thank you for publishing Michael Granberry’s very informative “Read the Sweepstakes Fine Print: Firms Hit the Jackpot” (Dec. 3). Unfortunately, the story was made more poignant as my wife and I spent Saturday reviewing her grandmother’s financial records. Over the past six to eight weeks she has been scammed by all of the direct marketers identified in the article. She receives several hundred pieces of mail per week from these groups.

To date we have found over $2,000 in checks written to these groups, plus $30,000 in credit card charges, $20,000 of these charges made in six weeks. We have been unable to find her phone bills, but her check register suggests $150 monthly bills (a year ago her phone bills were $25). Can you suggest any remedies?

A cause of even more concern is the fact that many apparently legitimate charities also have gotten her to send hundreds of dollars. I presume they buy her name from a list of known “suckers.” I hope that local law enforcement reads the article and tries to protect elderly people from being victimized.

TONY PAUKER

San Diego