Attorney General's News Release

February 15, 2000

National consumer interest group names Missouri woman as Consumer of the Year for work on sweepstakes fraud

Washington, D.C. — Pat Raines of Willard, Mo., whose volunteer work to increase public awareness about the pitfalls of sweepstakes began after her parents became sweepstakes victims, was honored today in Washington as "Consumer of the Year" by the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators (NACAA).

Raines, who was nominated by Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon for the award, took action after discovering that her elderly parents had written more than 6,000 checks for over $100,000 total in connection with sweepstakes offers, including checks for more than 100 magazine subscriptions. She gave testimony last year in front of government officials about her family's situation, provided numerous interview to local and national media, and started an organization — Sweepstakes Survivors — to help other such victims and their families.

"Pat Raines has taken a negative situation and turned it around to help prevent other American families from falling victim to sweepstakes marketers," Nixon said. "She is highly deserving of this award. Thanks to the efforts of people such as Pat, we've seen much greater awareness nationally of the problems inherent to these sweepstakes."

After learning of the situation of Pat Raines' parents, Nixon's office was able to recover approximately $40,000 that had been paid to various contest and sweepstakes businesses.

The American Association of Retired Persons hosted the awards luncheon in Washington today where Raines was honored.

NACAA presented its Consumer of the Year award in connection with National Consumer Protection Week, Feb. 14-20. National Consumer Protection Week is intended to promote consumer protection and education and is organized by AARP, NACAA, the National Association of Attorneys General, the Federal Trade Commission, the National Consumers League, the Consumer Federation of America, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the U.S. Department of Justice.

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