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May 26, 1999
(Government Services and Lands)


Consumer advisories issued

UNITED GROUP FOR KIDS
The Department of Government Services and Lands advises the general public that persons identifying themselves as United Group for Kids are selling tickets in this province without a licence to do so.

Ernie McLean, Minister of Government Services and Lands, says it is the department's understanding that tickets are selling for $2 each, or three for $5. There are three prizes listed on the tickets - $5,000, $1,000 and $500. Each ticket contains a licence number - not approved by Government Services and Lands, the RNC or the RCMP, which gives buyers the impression that the operation is legal.

Lotteries, such as the selling of tickets for cash prizes, must be licensed by the police if the prize is valued at $300 or less, or by the provincial government if the prize is greater than $300. Mr. McLean said that the licence number which is included on the ticket was not issued by either the police or the province.

Gerry Burke, Director of Trade Practices and Licensing, said consumers need to be cautious about supporting unknown groups. The Trade Practices and Licensing division has referred the matter to the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.

SCRATCH N' WIN SWEEPSTAKES
The Department of Government Services and Lands has issued an advisory to consumers to check out the facts before responding to a scratch and win bingo, which is being sent to households in the province.

According to Carol Furlong, Supervisor of Trade Practices, a scratch and win card is being delivered by mail, with an offer of prizes for a winning card. Consumers with a winning bingo pattern are invited to call a winner's hotline for information regarding prizes.

Ms. Furlong said: "Consumers must pay to place such a call, and should be extremely cautious about these contests. In order to inquire about the prize, consumers must call a 1-900 number and pay $3.99 a minute for a six-minute call."

Ms. Furlong said that consumers should not anticipate winning a prize of significant value just because they scratched a winning pattern.

Consumers should seek advice from the Trade Practices and Licencing Division before paying out money for any prize.

Media contact: Rick Callahan, Director of Communications, (709) 729-4860, or Carol Furlong, Supervisor of Trade Practices, (709) 729-4196.

1999 05 26    11:10 a.m.


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