(NAPSA}—Tf you’ve ever entered a sweepstakes contest, you're not alone. A recent poll of American households revealed that 54 percent have entered them. Consumers enjoy entering sweepstakes, because unlike other games of chance, it offers an opportunity to win without having to buy anything. Now consumers with questions about sweepstakes promotions can take advantage of three free resources frora the Direct Marketing Association (The DMA). AGuide For Consumers Sweepstakes promotions offer consumers the chance to win money and prizes and give coxpanies a chance to draw attention te their products and services. The DMA, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Call for Action, inc. have updated Sweepstakes Advertising: A Consumer’s Guide to help consumers recognize the difference between legitimate sweepstakes and other types of offers. The Guide details the required disclosures for sweepstakes pra- motions. It also features information on what is considered a false representation, including: * Referring to the recipient as a wioner, unless that person has actually won a prize. * The recipient can’t be requiredto order to enter. * Tt is illegal to provide a fake checkit if does not meclude a statement on it that it is nonnegotiahle and has no cash value. unless that person has actually won a prize. Sweepstakes Assistance: A Caregivers Guide Most consumers understand that no payment is ever required to enter or win a legitimate sweepstakes. However, there are a small ournber of consumers, especially some older individuals, who may have difficulty understanding that there is no needto place an order or give a cash donation to be eligible to win. in A Caregiver’s Guide, The DMA offers relatives, friends and social service professionals a resource to help identify individuals who may need assistance relating to sweepstakes participation. The guide helus readers identify “oroblem purchasers,” andsuggests what questions to ask of these purchasers and the steps you can take to handle the situation. Need Help? The DMA Sweepstakes HelyLine, established in 1999, assists caregivers who have concerns about how the individuals they care for may be participating in sweepstakes. The service is geared to assist adult children and relatives, consumer affairs professionals and social service agencies. The Sweepstakes Help Line can be reached via e-mail at sweepstakes@the-dma.org or by calling The DMA at 202-861-2475. The two booklets on sweepstakes “an be accessed on the DMA Web site at www.dmaconsumers.org.
