December 18, 2007 Media Contact: Jenn Meale Phone: (850) 245-0150

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TALLAHASSEE, FL – Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that his office has sued two Central Florida companies that allegedly cooperated together to perpetrate an unfair and misleading cash rebate program. Unsuspecting consumers received the “rebates” from CashBack America after purchasing big ticket items, only then to discover that the rebates supposedly redeemable by United States Administrative Services could not be redeemed for up to 54 months. The Attorney General’s Office has received more than 250 complaints from consumers in Florida and across the country and investigators believe more than $552,000 in rebates could be in question.

“The consumer complaints detail what appears to be a blatant intent to defraud and we will not tolerate such flagrant violation of state law,” said Attorney General McCollum.

Investigators with the Attorney General’s Economic Crimes Division determined that CashBack America markets cashable vouchers to merchants nationwide which consumers can supposedly redeem from United States Administrative Services. However, the vouchers are redeemable after a period of 11, 35, or 54 months, depending on the particular type of voucher. Consumers are also frequently unaware that the vouchers are subject to a long list of terms and conditions and do not realize this until they receive a letter stating their rebate claim has been denied. Those individuals who are able to collect any rebate from the companies generally find they receive only a fraction of the original stated value of their voucher. The investigation has been ongoing since July 2006.

Attorney General McCollum is seeking a permanent injunction against the companies which would prevent them from operating in the State of Florida. The Attorney General has also asked the court to order the companies to pay substantial civil fines and restitution to all customers who were denied the full value of their promised rebates. Consumers who have been victimized by this or other rebate programs are encouraged to contact the Attorney General’s Citizen Services Division by calling 1-866-9-NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226) or by filing a complaint online at http://www.myfloridalegal.com.

A copy of the complaint against CashBack America is available online at: http://myfloridalegal.com/webfiles.nsf/WF/KGRG-79ZQAQ/