Help Me Hank: Mail Mistake

It all started when a Salem man found a mysterious check but wasn't allowed to cash it! That's when he called "Help Me Hank."

Some people play the lottery, some try their luck in casinos. Rick Haynes's elderly father Clifford rolled the dice by mail. He ordered these magazines and collectibles through Publishers Clearing House, figuring it would help his odds of meeting the Prize Patrol.

He spent a lot of money!

Rick Haynes, Son
"Well, over the years, I'd say, it’s close to several thousand dollars."

He got more stuff, and more stuff, and more stuff…but no oversize check or balloons. The Prize Patrol van didn't show up. Rick's dad was left with stacks of stuff.

Rick Haynes, Son
"And if the only reason he ever bought it was to improve his odds, was very foolish."

That's exactly what attorney generals' offices in 26 states thought. They filed a class action lawsuit against Publishers Clearing House.

It said Publishers Clearing House targeted seniors like Clifford--and tricked them into thinking if they bought trinkets and magazines thinking it would give them a better chance at winning, when actually, it didn't. And that’s when the Haynes family luck changed.

Rick Haynes, Son
"I just happened to come over on one of my days off, and saw it laying on top of his television set."

Good news: it was a settlement check from that lawsuit for $554. Bad news: they found the check too late. It was only good for two months, and it had expired!

Rick Haynes, Son
"Well, I thought that was really kind of rotten."

Rick called Publishers Clearing House and they said call the attorney general.

Someone there told him: sorry no dice.

Rick Haynes, Son
"So, then I thought about calling Channel 7 News and see if Hank could do anything."

Why couldn't they just give him another check? We checked with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office.

Turned out that Rick and his dad were in luck-- a provision in the settlement did allow certain checks that hadn't been cashed to be reissued.

So finally Rick's dad was a winner. A new and valid check arrived soon after. He'll use it to try his luck again this time out west -- but no -- not in Vegas.

Rick Haynes, Son
"Well, he wants to go visit his daughter out in California. That will definitely come in handy."

And we found Clifford’s not the only one -- there are actually several dozen more Massachusetts residents who received these checks but who also haven't cashed them yet. Don't lose out!

Everyone who was due a check from Publishers Clearing House has received it. If you have not cashed your check and it expired, contact the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office at 617-727-2200.
http://www.ago.state.ma.us/