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Show 6C AB Wasatch Wav Wednesday. October 26. 1994 Thi Summit Cwnty Friday, October 28, 1994 Tt In i Consumerinvestor Hotline Now in Operation CALL 1 -800-897- LINK (Monday - Friday 8:30 am. 5:00 p.m.) The statewide Domestic Violence topee is your LINK Info-lin-e confidential information on counseling, health dadcs, shelters, safe houses, support groups, police, mental health services. Human Service agencies, legal Tiers services and more. You don't have to tell us your name & to get help. NO EXCUSE FOR INDandcVkikn MnjfCgiacI ABUSE SNOW BUSINESS is Have you recently received a mailed notice indicating that you have won a fabulous free prize? Has anyone ever contacted you by telephone informing you about the deal of a lifetime" or about an investment that is absolutely risk free? Have you ever wondered if a director of the Utah Department of Commerce. "And of those Utahns ' who can recognize a scam or charitable solicitation is legitimate? Situations like these occur quite often for Utah consumers and in- problems." vestors. Unfortunately, the of majority these tactics are scams to rip off unsuspecting victims usually the elderly, minority groups, and even teenagers. Many people are either unaware of their consumer rights or they take these rights for granted. Of those who are aware of the possibility of being ripped off, few actually know where to report their suspicions or where to seek help. In connection with National Consumer Week, Oct. the Utah Department of Commerce is pleased to announce a solution to 23-2- 9, this TOUGH! The toughest, most advanced snowplow system you can buy for 12, 13 or 1 ton 4x4 pickups or utility vehicles. the problem Consumerinvestor Hotline. The hotline, now in operation, provides Utahns throughout the state access to information which will help them be wise consumers and investors. The hotline can be assessed e by dialing E or by calling in the Salt lake area. Nationally, consumers lose more than $100 billion per year to swindlers and con artists. Unfortunately, Utahns are not immune to their tactics. Last year the Division of Consumer Protection received 878 consumer complaints toll-fre- 333-SAF- Reliable under the hood hydraulics Rugged construction Diamond Snowplow Systems outperform all the others! .me :&? Diamond Distributed through: ,3Kta3SP UKfinniB s 11050118' 'll Wasatch Rental & Sales 845 South Main Heber City 654-469- 5 about fraudulent activity. Telephone fraud in Utah alone increased by 40 percent. One Utah resident, Rose Smith, lost nearly $123,000 to more than 280 companies in ten months. She responded to telemarketing calls and contest mail, purchasing anything from diet pills and vitamins to fake gold watches, jewelry, and water purifiers. "Many Utahns are unaware that they can and should ask questions about a consumer or investment opportunity before participating in it, said Connie White, executive fraudulent activity, many are unaware of where to report it The ' of implementation the Consumerinvestor Hotline is a means of solving both of these the calling By Consumerinvestor Hotline, Utahns can register consumer and invest ment complaints and receive help in making wise consumer and investment decisions. Although Department staff members will not be able to disclose whether or not complaints activity. In addition, because the Department of Commerce is a state agency, staff members cannot make specific recommendations about an individual, company or organization. The hotline is paid for. from fines and settlements obtained from violators of the states securities . have been registered with the Department about a particular individual, company or organization, they will be able to answer questions that can help Utah consumers and consumer .laws, not from, and investors recognize fraudulent. 'axpayer money. . The Human Toll Fraudulent Activity Cases Involving Utahns A professional-looking- " piece of mail recently caught the attention of an unemployed, divorced Utah mother of two. It described a promising financial plan. However, when she called to get more information, she realized she did not have the necessary $1,000 for the cost of the program. Less than one-ha- lf later, another salesperson from the same company contacted her with information on a work-at-hoprogram that would be better suited to her financial resources. He assured her that her money would be refunded if she was not satisfied. When the thick envelope of in- formation arrived COD, she promptly wrote a check for $153.93. However, she was disappointed to find that the envelope contained only vague suggestions for programs. She returned the material and is still waiting for her refund. The Department of. Commerce is continuing its investigation of the company. investigation by the tinuing Department of Commerce, $32,000 has been refunded to her and several companies have been fined for a total of $7,500. A Utah woman was contacted and informed she had won aN "valuable prize" which she could claim if she purchased additional items offered by the company. After making the purchases, the woman found to there was no "valuable prize" available. However, she has been refunded $13,000, and the company has been fined $3,500 while the Department of Commerce 'continues its investigation. A Utah county senior citizen was recently contacted and informed that she had won a Lincoln Towncar. In order to receive her prize, she was told to send the company 5398. A week later, she was contacted again and told to smkl an additional $2,800 afterwhich her car would be sent However, for her money, she only received eight, bottles of household one-qua- rt cleaners. She received a full refund. Fifty-fo- ur people recently re- a total of $6,070 in a settlement agreement after they ceived purchased travel vouchers. The. company paying the settlement illegally produced and issued the vouchers. ' A company .recently provided restitution to over 200 Utahns after they paid $25 for a service they can receive for much less through their county offices. The Department of. Commerce has also prohibited the company from operating in Utah. work-at-ho- A retired health care professional, decided to respond to telemarketing calls and contest mail to occupy her time while caring for an elderly roommate. However, in ten months, she lost nearly $122,000 to more than 280 companies. She purchased everything from diet pills and vitamins to fake gold watches, jewelry, and water purifiers. She also purchased 42 subscriptions to a national magazine which would have lasted until the year 2004. Through con-- . Walking Tall: How's Your Posture? Good posture ip very beneficial to proper breathing and digestion. There are a few basic positions that will ensure the maintenance of good posture and body alignment: 1) Imagine a string that runs down the length of your spine. As you walk, imagine that someone is pulling on that string. Dont make any jerky, sudden movements, and feel the way your body seems to float along; 2) Use an adjustable RE A fiber can do wonders foryou. City Mortgage s Specializing In Personal Service and Satisfaction Exclusive Pre-approv- Program al LOCK WITH ROLL DOWN FEATURE) (90 DAY 75 Lot Loans Available (Utah residents only) Low Cost Construction Loans It s Not Too Late To Refinance! CALL US TODAY 1901 90-degr- level. Keep your head erect and about three feet away from the screen. Elbows should be at a angle as you type; 4) If youre working st a desk, stand up every half hour for a break 90-degr- ee five-minu- te Flying The Friendly Skies? Make 'em Friendlier We've found that an increase in (Not to mention what it does for communications.) desk chair. Your seat height should allow your knees and hips to form a angle, with the thighs parallel to the floor and feet flat on the floor; 3) Adjust your computer screen so the top of it is at eye 649- - 9608 Prospector Ave Park City, UT 84060P.O. Box 2124 ASK FOR DAVE EVANS OR MKE LARSEN Airplane cabins can be prime areas for contagious diseases to .spread. Recirculated air, reduced air pressure, and dryness all may cause problems for travelers. 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While Supplies lusH Red Wing Shoe Store wist aura oum u Are you experiencing muscular tension, headaches, fatigue, and irritability? Do you find yourself withdrawing from others, feeling anxious and overwhelmed or exaggerating negatives? If you are, you may be experiencing job. stress. Its not uncommon. Unfortunately, experts can offer only general guidelines in dealing with it, such as: 1) Find a sport you like and participate in it; 2) Talk about your feelings with someone; 3) Brainstorm look for options to loweryour stress; 4) Write out your feelings in a journal; 5) Dont think negatively; 6) Maintain a healthy diet; 7) Enjoy vacations, weekend excursions. PEOPLE SEnVMQ PEOPLE |