MCGRAW WARNS BUSINESS OWNERS ABOUT BOGUS LETTERS

(05/09/2008)
Attorney General Darrell McGraw is warning West Virginia businesses about bogus letters falsely claiming his office is investigating them.

The letters appear on a forged letterhead with a state seal and the address of McGraw's Consumer Protection Division or Workers' Compensation Division.

One of the letters claims to be from McGraw.

The forgeries contain numerous misspellings and typos and have been mailed from throughout the state.

Some have posted on bulletin boards in local post offices.

McGraw says the letters are causing serious harm, prompting some business owners to hire attorneys.

He thinks follow-up correspondence will attempt to extort money by offering settlements.

Affected business owners are urged to call 1-800-368-8808 or e-mail consumerwvago.gov