January 2009

An Update from the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office

Volume I, Issue 3

January 2009

 Energy Blog

In early November, the Attorney General's Office launched the AGO Energy Blog to continue the dialogue which begun at four recent Winter Energy and Heating Roundtables. The blog spotlights local and regional initiatives, features weekly questions, provides innovative energy tips and offers the opportunity for service providers to share ideas and programs. Participation is welcome!
Public Inquiry & Assistance Center
PIAC helps consumers with a range of questions and concerns, by: answering questions or directing consumers to the AGO website for information; offering referrals to appropriate organizations or government agencies for help; and providing information on the AGO's consumer complaint and mediation processes.  To contact PIAC, call (617) 727-8400. The hotline is available weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
Doctors Fail to Discuss Substance Use with Teens 
A new study by the Center for the Advancement of Health suggests that physicians are ignoring national health guidelines by failing to discuss high-risk behavioral issues like alcohol and other drug misuse and safety concerns with teens. The survey found that 70% of adolescents surveyed reported that physicians did not discuss substance use or violence with them. Nutrition and exercise were discussed most often.  The study appeared online in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
Grant Opportunities 
The Attorney General's Office will be releasing a Request for Proposals in response to funds received as part of a lead paint-based settlement with Mattel. Bidders conference calls have been tentatively scheduled for February 25 and March 12. Check the AGO website for more details. Other opportunities that may be of interest to you:
Events 
 
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Martha Coakley, Massachusetts Attorney GeneralThe post-holiday season provides an important opportunity to remind consumers about their retail rights, particularly with regards to gift cards and return/refund policies. This quarter's Building Better Communities includes some consumer tips for protecting your rights.

In addition, the New Year is traditionally a time to look back at the accomplishments of the past twelve months, so we are also using this space to shine the spotlight on some of the great work being done by AGO partners across the state.

I wish you all a happy, healthy and safe New Year, and I look forward to continuing our work together to build stronger and better communities.  I encourage you to read this newsletter and share it with your colleagues. We always welcome any feedback about how we can make this newsletter most helpful to you. If you have suggestions, thoughts or questions, please respond to us at agonewsletter@state.ma.us.
 
Cordially,
 
Martha Coakley, Massachusetts Attorney General 
Martha Coakley 
Massachusetts Attorney General
   
2009 Green CalendarGreen Calendar Now Available!
The AGO's 2009 Calendar is now available!  This calendar features 12 months of helpful tips and information on issues such as: energy audits and weatherization, energy efficiency and seasonal tips, re-using and recycling, environmental health, and transportation alternatives.  Printed calendars are available in limited quantities.  To request a calendar, please email your name and mailing address to agoweb@state.ma.us, or contact the AGO Elder Hotline at (888) 243-5337.
american flagVeterans Resources
The AGO enforces certain federal and state laws protecting the rights of veterans and service members. With this in mind, in November the office launched a new website section dedicated to Resources for Veterans, which includes information on financial assistance, medical care and death benefits, education, housing, employment rights, and many other topics of interest.  The AGO has also condensed this information into a Veterans Resource Guide, available as a PDF for download from the website.  Much of the information it contains has already been made available to the public by the Massachusetts Department of Veterans Services and the Secretary of the Commonwealth, among other state and federal agencies and organizations. Compilation of this guide would not have been possible without the work both of those offices have already done to make these resources accessible.
giftsPost-Holiday Retail: Gift Certificates & Returns
After the holiday season is over, the most common concerns of consumers have to do with store refund/return policies and gift card/certificate redemption. The AGO website provides extensive information on Retail Rights.
View more information on the AGO website: Warranties, Repairs and Returns and Gift Cards & Certificates.
Improving School Climate Spotlight: Taunton High School
Stephanie Albernaz, current Mediation Coordinator and a former Taunton High School student mediator herself, has observed that conflicts have changed since she was a student. Social networking programs like MySpace, YouTube and Facebook make conflict more public and making it more difficult for students to just walk away.  "Now," Albernaz points out, "conflicts are played out before an audience of hundreds."  Since 1993, Taunton High School has provided peer mediation as a means of conflict resolution for the student body. Today, 25 students serve as trained peer mediators, helping to solve over 200 student conflicts per year with an impressive 98% success rate (the conflicts are resolved with no further incident). For more information on violence prevention programs for your school, visit the School Climate section of the AGO website.
insulationEnergy Mini-Grant Spotlight: Community Action Agency of Somerville 
The Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) has received a mini-grant from the AGO and has created a portable, full-size "demonstration window," to be used to teach low-income residents how to reduce window drafts and save energy. CAAS will demonstrate insulation methods such as applying caulk and installing shrinkable window film. The "window" features a frame, glass panes, and a few inches of surrounding "wall."  CAAS will be providing four workshops, as well as simultaneous interpretation and written materials in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Haitian-Creole. 
computerCyber Scams
The Cyber Crime Division of the AGO and the National White Collar Crime Center has recently received an increase in reports of lending scams via email. Individuals with bad credit are promised fast cash by loan companies. The borrower is directed to send money in advance under the guise of processing fees or for as collateral on the loan. However, after sending in the required fees, the borrower never receives any money. Often the AGO is unable to prosecute these matters as the trail leads to a dead end or to places outside the state or even the country. For tips on avoiding cyber fraud and to learn more about the AGO's Cyber Crime Initiative visit the AGO website.