The Deceptive Mail
Prevention and Enforcement Act was signed by President Clinton on December 12, 1999, and
takes effect 120 days after that date. The law requires mailings to clearly display:
It imposes requirements for mail related to skill contests mailings, which must disclose:
The law imposes new federal standards on facsimile checks sent in any mailing. The checks must include a statement on the check itself that it is non-negotiable and has no cash value. The law prohibits mailings that imply a connection to, approval, or endorsement by the federal government through the misleading use of a seal, insignia, reference to the Postmaster General, citation to a federal statue, trade or brand name, or any other term or symbol, unless the mailings carry two disclaimers. The law requires companies sending sweepstakes or skill contests to establish a system, and include in their mailings a telephone number or address, which consumers could use to be removed from the mailing lists of such companies. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is responsible for investigating cases of fraud where the U.S. Mail is used as part of the scheme. Click here for a Mail Fraud Complaint Form. Click here for more information for elderly victims of identity theft.
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