Augusta, Maine - Attorney General William J. Schneider is warning consumers about a sham political robo-call that disguises a vacation timeshare sales pitch as election poll questions.
A group called Political Opinions of America uses an automated voice to ask a three-question "poll". After answering, Caribbean Cruise Lines comes on the line and offers the consumer a free cruise for taking the survey. The free offer requires a "port fee or tax" to be paid by credit card over the phone. Allegedly, the cruise is designed to expose people to sales pitches for vacation timeshares.
"Legitimate campaign calls can be expected during election season and the information that pollsters obtain from voters is valuable to the campaign process," said Attorney General Schneider. "A bona fide survey will not try to reward you with a free service or sell you something."
The Federal Trade Commission's Do Not Call Registry bans unsolicited pre-recorded sales calls to any number on the list. For more information, go to:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt107.shtm
https://www.donotcall.gov
If you think you have experienced a survey scam, call the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at (207)626-8849.
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