Attorney General's News Release

December 13, 1996

Nixon warns Missouri parents against bogus claim forms in baby formula settlement

Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon today warned Missouri parents about bogus claim forms in connection with a private class-action settlement over price fixing of infant formulas. The lawsuit involved consumers in 17 other states, but did not involve the Attorneys General in any of the states.

The class-action settlement with the manufacturers of eight infant formulas does not include consumers in Missouri, unless they purchased the infant formula in one of the states that is included in the settlement. Missouri law does not allow lawsuits that seek damages on behalf of purchasers who do not buy directly from the price-fixing manufacturers.

The bogus form in the infant formula case apparently has been circulated throughout the country through the Internet and asks for personal information about consumers' children, including copies of birth certificates and Social Security numbers. There also have been reports of people attempting to sell bogus claim forms by telling consumers they can get $1,400 just for sending it in.

“There has been a great deal of misinformation going out by Internet, faxes and word of mouth, leading consumers to believe that they might reap a potential bonanza from this private class-action suit,” Nixon said. “Scam artists are all too quick to see this as a golden opportunity to rip off consumers. Never give out any information about your child unless you know who you're dealing with and you know that the claim form is legitimate. The same advice goes for giving out financial information to people you don't know.”

Nixon said legitimate forms were printed in local newspapers throughout those states where consumers are eligible for settlement. Consumers in those states also may call a toll-free number that is not operational in Missouri and other non-participating states. The bogus claim forms often have listed a filing deadline of today (Dec. 13), but the actual deadline is Jan. 31.

The settlement with Bristol-Myers Squibb and Abbott Laboratories involved infant formulas Similac, Enfamil, Isomil and other brands. The states in which eligible consumers may be eligible for relief under the settlement are Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Consumers in Alabama, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada and North Carolina may be eligible to receive in-kind relief in the form of products.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818