RI Att. Gen. warnings on DTV switch

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - The Attorney General offices Consumer Protection Unit will be ready to assist Rhode Island residents with concerns or questions following Tuesday's conversion to DTV.

Attorney General Patrick Lynch also advised consumers that Congress has not authorized additional funding for the coupon program for the $40 government-issued vouchers to purchase digital converter boxes. To find out if Congress does authorize the funding, those who have never applied for vouchers, or those with expired coupons, can periodically access the following web site: https://www.dtv2009.gov/WaitingList.aspx or phone 1-888-DTV-2009.

Lynch continues to warn consumers to be alert for scams associated with the switch from analog to digital TV. Scammers seize any opportunity to bilk consumers out of money and to obtain sensitive, personal information for the purpose of identity theft, and the DTV conversion leaves people vulnerable to falling prey to such scams, he said.

A typical converter box costs between $40 and $80, without using a voucher. According to industry experts, seniors and low-income families are especially at-risk for being victimized in DTV transition scams, Lynch said. In addition to sham web sites, he advises consumers to be alert to the following.

The Voucher Scam will claim that a consumer will be entitled to get discount or free cable TV service by purchasing an expensive, and worthless, voucher. Lynch warned that some of the voucher scams, like the scam check or scam prize notification, will even falsely claim to be tied to a special government program.

Follow-up Scams. There will be dozens of advertisements, emails, web sites, and shops in the months and years following the conversion that will claim to fix an old TV or make it digital-ready. In addition to using technology, fly-by-night operators will set up shop in neighborhoods for a short period of time, taking as much cash as they can stuff in their pockets, and then move on to another city or town, Lynch said.

Misinformation. Some employees of retail or repair shops might not have adequate information on the DTV transition and therefore unknowingly mislead consumers into buying something they don’t need or throwing out equipment that will work.

Rhode Island resident with concerns or questions should call the Consumer Protection Unit at 401-274-4400.