Copyright held by The John Cooke Fraud Report. Reprint rights are granted with attribution to The John Cooke Fraud Report with a link to this website.
This issue’s “nasty” goes to Smart Medical Alert Systems (SMAS) of Pompano Beach, Florida. After more than 90 complaints, the attorney generally has accused the firm of fraud, civil theft,and unfair and deceptive trade practices against senior citizens who fell for the extensive (up to nine hours of non-stop badgering) pitch.
Senior citizens were contacted by telemarketing appointment-setters who stated there was no obligation and the service offered could be tried out for free. SMAS was marketing a pendant that, if in trouble, the senior could activate and summon help.
SMAS targeted the over 70 crowd—and over 80 and over 90 — and many reported signing on the dotted line as a last resort to get rid of the fast-talking, long-talking salesman. People were told that the service could be canceled at any time, but the small print limited that to 72-hours and required a certified notification. One man was quoted a price of $38 month—and discovered a one-time charge of $2,485 on his next credit card bill.
This latest lawsuit against SMAS included 48 affidavits signed by elderly victims. An earlier suit, very similar, was recently settled by victims represented by Legal Aid Service of Broward County and the Florida Justice Institute.
© Copyright 1997 Alikim Media