Other LanguagesSeattle - August 5, 1998 --The Attorney General's Office today filed a lawsuit and a Consent Decree against a San Diego company for allegedly producing misleading home mortgage and loan advertisements that resemble a solicitation from an official government agency.
“Envelopes with an eagle emblem are usually from the Post Office,” said Attorney General Christine Gregoire. “By using the emblem, this company tricked consumers into opening mail that would have otherwise ended up in the trash.”
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Consumer Protection:
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Kane and Associates and its owner Timothy Kane have agreed, without admitting any wrongdoing, to stop producing advertisements which such misleading phrases as “Notice to State Property Owners” or which contain official sounding numbers and phrases.
The company also allegedly violated Washington law by using simulated checks in their advertisements which did not display the phrase “This Is Not A Check.” That phrase is required to be printed in a predominate place on all simulated checks.
The Consent Decree requires the company to reimburse the state $2,100 to cover its legal costs and fees.
Consumers with complaints against a direct mail advertiser or other businesses should call the Attorney General's Office at 1-800-551-4636 (1-800-833-6384 for hearing impaired) or click here.
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