Scam Alerts - DVD Transition

On February 17, 2009, all major television stations are required by federal mandate to drop any remaining analog programming and completely switch over to digital broadcasting. Consumers must use a digital television, cable or satellite provider, or a digital to analog converter box in order to view digital broadcasts. This switchover will leave those who use ‘rabbit ears’ or rooftop antennas with blank screens.

Fortunately, the federal government is distributing up to two free coupons, valued at $40 each, to every household that applies via the Internet, fax, mail, or phone (while supplies last).

There are four ways that you can obtain a voucher:

	online at https://www.dtv2009.gov/
	by phone, by calling National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) 24-hour hotline at 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009)
	by mail, by filling out a Coupon Application and mailing the completed application to: PO Box 2000, Portland, OR 972080-2000; or
	by fax, by filling out a Coupon Application and faxing the completed application to 1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632). Printed applications should also be available at post offices and public libraries in English, Spanish, and other languages.

It is very important to remember that the vouchers expire within 90 of the date they are mailed. Please keep this in mind, because if you ask for two vouchers for your household and they expire before you use them, you cannot request additional vouchers for that household. It may be a good idea to find a retailer in your area who sells the DTV Converter Boxes first, locate the model you think you would like to purchase, write this information down, and then request your vouchers. By comparison shopping first, and then requesting vouchers for your household, you reduce the risk of the vouchers expiring before you use them.

You may search online for certified retailers in your area who carry DTV Converter Boxes, including those eligible for the NTIA voucher program, at https://www.dtv2009.gov/VendorSearch.aspx.

Please keep in mind that you can only use the vouchers for eligible converter boxes. For a list of eligible converter boxes, you may visit the NTIA's website at https://www.ntiadtv.gov/home.cfm or ask your retailer to see only those boxes that are eligible for the voucher program.

What types of scams are out there?

	Although applying online for government coupons may be easy for those who use the Internet every day, it can be a daunting task for those who are unfamiliar with computers. The government website, www.dtv2009.gov or its variation, www.dtv.gov, might seem like obvious places to look for information. But what about www.dtv.com or www.dtv.org? These websites seem as if they would lead you to useful information, but they actually host advertisements for satellite and digital service providers. Consumers should visit .gov websites instead.
	The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has received complaints about Universal TechTronics, a company that has been running newspaper ads across the country featuring “free” digital to analog converter boxes without government coupons. However, with shipping and handling and a hidden $59 warranty fee, TechTronic converter boxes cost the consumer nearly five times as much as those acquired from approved retailers with the government coupon. According to the BBB, these advertisements “prey on consumers’ lack of knowledge” about the digital transition.
	Rather than deal with the hassle of acquiring a converter box, many consumers are upgrading to new digital televisions. However, purchasing a new TV can also be dangerous. In recent weeks, the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, DC, has heard several complaints involving television-related scams. Typically, someone will offer the victim a new digital television at a low price. Soon after, the scammer delivers a box weighted with something that resembles a television, collects a cash payment, and quickly leaves before the victim can discover the truth—there is no working TV in the box.

How can you protect yourself?

	You do not need to pay someone to install DTV Converter Boxes in your home! If you decide to purchase DTV Converter Boxes for analog televisions in your home, you do NOT need to pay someone to install the boxes for you. DTV Converter Boxes are easy to install, and you certainly will not need to pay an “expert” to do this for you.
	Beware of “upselling”! You do not need to purchase an expensive HDTV, new digital recording equipment (such as a VCR or DVD player), or upgrade your paid television service to your provider's “digital” package in order to receive new digital broadcasting. You may purchase this equipment or services if you would like to, but beware of merchants trying to scare you into purchasing expensive equipment and services by informing you that it is the “only way” that you will still be able to watch television after February 17, 2009.
	You do not need to purchase vouchers from anyone! As mentioned above, the NTIA voucher program is available to every American household for free! Do not purchase vouchers from anyone -- legitimate vouchers from the NTIA have no cash value and are not transferable. If someone offers to sell you vouchers, they are likely counterfeit.
	Beware of anyone that calls you claiming to be from the NTIA, or any other government agency, to ask for personal financial information to obtain your vouchers. This is a scam! Never give personal financial information to someone who calls you!

Source: http://ncpc.typepad.com/prevention_works_blog/2008/07/digital-tv-scam.html