CONTACT

Amy Nofziger
720-947-5306

Have you ever opened your mail and received a check from a credit card company or other business. Before thinking that it must be your lucky day, be advised that if you spend or deposit that check, you are actually signing up for some service whether you want it or not?

Recently an elderly man in Steamboat Springs received a check for $3.49 from a company located in California; he deposited the check thinking it was for a refund from something he purchased. A couple weeks later he discovered he now owes $179.00 for advertisement space that he agreed to when he cashed the check. Companies that use this tactic often have unsatisfactory records with the Better Business Bureau as a result.

“We hear from many Coloradans, mostly seniors, who don’t see the fine print on the back of the check explaining their obligation if they deposit the check” says Janice Friddle, Director of AARP ElderWatch. “Then a couple weeks later they receive a bill for a service they know nothing about, it’s very confusing for them”.

Some important reminders

1. Always look for and read the fine print. It is rare that you will receive a check with no strings attached.
2. If the check is coming from your bank or credit card company call their customer service and request to be taken off their mailing list for those ‘offers.’
3. Contact the three credit reporting agencies to ask to have your name removed from being issued pre-approved credit cards.
4. If you do receive a fake check, shred it immediately, so you don’t confuse it with other legitimate checks for deposit.

AARP ElderWatch is a program with the Colorado Attorney General and the AARP Foundation. The objective is to stop the financial exploitation of seniors. Seniors and their families can call the AARP ElderWatch consumer hotline and speak with a counselor to discuss consumer issues and request additional information. The hotline is staffed Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 1-800-222-4444, press option 2 for AARP ElderWatch.