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10. Digital TV Switch Scam
Digital TV Switch Scam
AARP Bulletin September 2008: Scam Alert - Don’t get confused—or conned—by the digital TV switch
Bait and switch. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently issued a warning on bait-and-switch ads from Ohio-based Universal Tech Tronics. The company offered “free” TV channels, services and a converter box to people who ordered a $59 warranty for its “Miracle ClearView TV” converter through its call center. In reality, you won’t get extra channels for free with any converter box, and the “Miracle ClearView” would sell for about $20 with the $40 government coupon in retail stores, the BBB says. David Baker, an official with Universal TechTronics, says that the company is not authorized to redeem coupons. He denies that his ads—which recently were pulled—were “intentionally misleading.” His company generated nearly 200 complaints to the BBB in the past year, many for misleading advertising claims.
Expensive help you don’t need. Don’t bother to hire anyone offering to install the converter boxes for a price. The boxes are not hard to install, with color-coded cables that correspond to those on newer TV sets. If you need help, get guidance from the store where you bought the box.
For most people, the switch will be seamless. No action is needed by those with TVs that already have digital-ready tuners—which include most sets sold since 2004 or those that have an “ATSC” marking on the back—as well as subscribers to cable or satellite services, no matter the age of their TVs. To offset the price of converters—typically selling for $50 to $70—the government is offering coupons, worth $40 each, for up to two converter boxes per household at www.dtv2009.gov. They can be redeemed at certified retailers selling the converters.
For more answers on DTV switch at http://bulletin.aarp.org/digitaltv. You can also visit www.dtv2009.gov or call 1-888-388-2009 toll free.
Digital TV Switch Scam
AARP Bulletin September 2008: Scam Alert - Don’t get confused—or conned—by the digital TV switch
Bait and switch. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently issued a warning on bait-and-switch ads from Ohio-based Universal Tech Tronics. The company offered “free” TV channels, services and a converter box to people who ordered a $59 warranty for its “Miracle ClearView TV” converter through its call center. In reality, you won’t get extra channels for free with any converter box, and the “Miracle ClearView” would sell for about $20 with the $40 government coupon in retail stores, the BBB says. David Baker, an official with Universal TechTronics, says that the company is not authorized to redeem coupons. He denies that his ads—which recently were pulled—were “intentionally misleading.” His company generated nearly 200 complaints to the BBB in the past year, many for misleading advertising claims.
Expensive help you don’t need. Don’t bother to hire anyone offering to install the converter boxes for a price. The boxes are not hard to install, with color-coded cables that correspond to those on newer TV sets. If you need help, get guidance from the store where you bought the box.
For most people, the switch will be seamless. No action is needed by those with TVs that already have digital-ready tuners—which include most sets sold since 2004 or those that have an “ATSC” marking on the back—as well as subscribers to cable or satellite services, no matter the age of their TVs. To offset the price of converters—typically selling for $50 to $70—the government is offering coupons, worth $40 each, for up to two converter boxes per household at www.dtv2009.gov. They can be redeemed at certified retailers selling the converters.
For more answers on DTV switch at http://bulletin.aarp.org/digitaltv. You can also visit www.dtv2009.gov or call 1-888-388-2009 toll free.
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