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Atlantic Commercial Agency, Inc

Volume 39 · 39 F.T.C. 222

Citation
39 F.T.C. 222
Docket
5100
Complaint
1943-12-14
Decision
1944-09-25
Document type
final order
Case type
consumer protection
Industry
collection of accounts
Relief
cease_and_desist
Hearing examiner
Arthur F. Thomas (Trial Examiner)
Commission counsel
Randolph W. Branch
Source
Original volume PDF
Original PDF
This decision as a PDF

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Cite this decision

Atlantic Commercial Agency, Inc, 39 F.T.C. 222 (1944). Consumer Law Library, https://consumerlawlibrary.org/decisions/v039-0040

Report an error in this record (decision id v039-0040)

Order status: presumptively_terminable_pre_1995. Sunset may be extended by the latest qualifying federal-court complaint alleging an order violation; complaints, dismissal/appeal outcomes, and respondent-specific extensions are not fully tracked.

Cited by 0 later FTC decisions

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Text (OCR of the scan at left; may contain errors)

IN THE ~ATTER OF ATLANTIC CO~~ERCIAL AGENCY, INC. ET AL.

COMPLAINT, FINDINGS, AND ORDER IN REGARD TO THE ALLEGED VIOLATION OF SEC. 6 OF AN ACT OF CONGRESS APPROVED SEPT. 26, 1914 Docket 5100. Complaint, Dec. 14, 1949-Decision, Sept. 25, 1944 Where a corporation and two individuals in control thereof, engaged in the interstate collection of accounts for clients and in employing in said connection, to secure ne~ded information, certain form letters, the letterheads of which displayed the trade name "Continental Inheritance Service," and such legends and matter as "examiners for title companies," "actuaries," "correspondents in all principal cities of the world," "missing heirs located," "searchers of records," "genealo· gists," "estate counselors," and "Inheritance Bureau Division Suite 708, 6th North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois," and which forms, (1) in case of those to be addressed to the alleged debtor, under caption "Office Use Only" set out words and blanks "Section," "Checked by," "Disbursed by," etc., requested information, as a means of identification in "a. matter of distinct importance to you if you are the individual in question," etc., including name and address, and those of spouse, parents, employers, banks, etc.; and (2) in case of forms addressed to other than the alleged debtor, advised addressee, as "relative," "friend," "acquaintance" of former, "We are trying to contact the above person," in a matter which "may be of importance to said person," and "Will you be kind enough to give us any or all the information that may lead us to such contact,'' followed by request for alleged debtor's last address, names and addresses of employer, relative, bank, or business house, and of any person who might supply information concerning him;

Making use of a plan under which such form letters were placed in envelopes ad· dressed to the person concerning whom information was sought at his last known address, or to those believed to have information concerning him, along with envelopes for their return, addressed to "Inheritance Bureau Division 6 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 708, Chicago, Illinois."-which appeared also as the return address on the outer envelopes-and sent to said Chicago address, at which address of a Secretarial Service they were mailed under arrangement with one "D.B.," who also received replies at said address and forwarded them unopened to the others in New Jersey, and, during a certain period, to their attorney; and, aided in said plan by the essential participation of said "D.B.," and for a time by said attorney- (a) Represented directly and by implication to the person to whom said form letters were sent that "Continental Inheritance Service" had oorrespondents in all prin· cipal cities of the world, acted as counsellor to those in charge of estates, was en· gaged in the business of locating heirs to estates or to interests therein, acted as examiner for title insurance companies, and engaged in genealogical research, actuarial work and searches of records, and that the persons concerning whoJll information was sought had or might have interests in estates or lands which would be of financial benefit to them;

The facts being that, while said corporation and individuals had access to, and bad used various legal and commercial directories, and directories of collection agencies. in connection with their business, which gave the names and addresses of attor· ATLANTIC COMMERCIAL AGENCY, INC., ET AL. 223 222 Complaint neys and collection agencies in all the principal cities of the world, they themselves did not have correspondents in such cities; they had no knowledge of any interest in estates or lands to which the persons concerning whom information was sought might be entitled; and various other representations made as above set forth were false and misleading;

(b) Falsely represented directly and by implication, through use of the names "Continental Inheritance Service" and" Inheritance Bureau Division," that their said business bore some relation to estates and to the rights and interests of heirs thereof;

When in fact it had nothing to do with estates, other than those of debtors from whom they were trying to collect, or with the rights or interests of persons therein, and said names were merely disguises for the true nature of the business; With the effect of misleading and deceiving many persons to whom the said form letters were sent, into the erroneous belief that said representations were true, and by reason thereof into giving information which they would not otherwise have supplied, and in many instances, to incur expense for postage in connection therewith:

Held, That said acts and practices, under the circumstances set forth, were all to the prejudice and injury of the public, and constituted unfair and deceptive acts and practices in commerce.

Before Mr. Arthur F. Thomas, trial examiner.

Mr. Randolph W. Branch for the Commission.

Complaint Pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act, and by virtue of the authority vested in it by said act, the Federal Trade Comrnission, having reason to believe that Atlantic Commercial Agency, Inc., a corporation, Gerald H. Strickland and G. Russell Walsh, individually, and as managers, of said corporation, and S. Mortimer Hirshorn and Dorothy Boyden, individuals, hereinafter referred to as respondents, have violated the provisions of said act, and it appearing to the Commission that a proceeding by it in respect thereof would be in the public interest, hereby tssues its complaint stating its charges in that respect as follows: PARAGRAPH 1. Respondent, Atlantic Commercial Agency, Inc., is a corporation, organized and existing under the laws of the State of New Jersey. Respondents, Gerald H. Strickland and G. Russell Walsh, are now, and at all times mentioned herein have been, in control of the management, Policies and operations of said corporation, particularly in respect to the acts and practices herein alleged. Respondent, S. Mortimer Hirshorn, is an individual. All said respondents have an office and principal place of business at 101 North Third Street, Camden, N.J., and in the course and conduct of the business referred to herein have used the names 11 Continental Inheritance Service," and 11 Inheritance Bureau Division" in the rnanner set forth herein. Respondent, Dorothy Boyden, is an individual, Who does business under the name "Secretarial Service" with an office and Principal place of business at 6 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Ill. PAR. 2. For more than two years prior to about March 1, 1943, therespondents, Atlantic Commercial Agency, Inc., Strickland and Walsh, were Complaint 39 F. T. C.

engaged in the business of collecting accounts owed to others; since on or about March 1, 1943, the said business has been conducted by respond~ ents, Strickland, Walsh and Hirshorn, under the name of S. Mortimer Hirshorn. The business has at all times mentioned herein had clients who are located both within and without the State of New Jersey for whom the collection of accounts has been undertaken. Many of the said clients cause goods and other property to be transported from their respective places of business to purchasers thereof in other States of the United States, and maintain, and at all times mentioned herein have maintained courses of trade in such goods and property in commerce between and among the various States of the United States. The course and conduct of the said business by respondents during the periods prior to and subse~ quent to March 1, 1943, has involved intercourse of a commercial and business nature between said respondents and their clients, respondent, Dorothy Boyden, and persons concerning whom they sought information who are located in States other than the State of New Jersey. PAR. 3. In the course and conduct of the said collection business, re· spondents, other than Dorothy Boyden, have frequently desired to ascer~ tain the current addresses and occupations of persons alleged to owe money to their said clients, the names and addresses of the employers of such per· sons and of the banks in which such persons have money on deposit, and other information concerning them. · For this purpose said respondents have used certain form letters, su~ stantially in the forms exemplified by photostatic copies thereof, marked Exhibits A and B attached hereto and by this reference incorporated herein and made a part hereof.l PAR. 4. Respondents, other than respondent, Dorothy Boyden, caused the form letters exemplified by Exhibit A to be placed in envelopes ad~ dressed to the persons concerning whom information was sought at their last known addresses, and the letters exemplified by Exhibit B to be placed in envelopes addressed to other persons believed to have information con· cerning them. Said envelopes bear in the upper left corner: Inheritance Bureau Division Suite 708 6 North Michigan Ave., Chicago, Illinois.

Also enclosed in these envelopes are other envelopes, for the return of the said form letter, addressed to:

Inheritance Bureau Division 6 North Michigan Avenue Suite 708 Chicago, Illinois.

Respondents caused the said envelopes and enclosures to be transported to the said Chicago address, where they were received by respondent, Dor~ othy Boyden, who thereafter caused them to be placed in the United States mail. The said envelopes bore addresses of places located in various States of the United States.

Such of the form letters as were filled out and mailed by the recipients thereof were received by respondent, Dorothy Boyden in Chicago, Ill., I E:dlibita published in the findings at pp. 23G-232. ATLANTIC COMMERCE.IAL AGENCY, INC., ET AL. 225 222 Findings who thereafter caused them to be transported to respondents in the State of New Jersey. Respondents used the information so obtained in collecting, or attempting to collect, the accounts alleged to be due to the persons for whom they have acted. The participation of respondent Dorothy Boyden aided in and essential to the successful operation of the plan for obtaining the desired information.

PAR. 5. By means of the aforesaid form letters and envelopes, respondents have represented, directly and by implication, to the persons to whom they were sent, that "Continental Inheritance Service" has correspondents in all principal cities of the world, acts as counsellor to those in charge of estates; is engaged in the business of locating heirs to estates or to interests therein, acts as examiner for title insurance companies, engages in genealogical research, actuarial work and searches of records, and that the persons concerning whom information is sought have or may have interests in estates or lands which will be of financial benefit to them. The said representations were false and misleading. In truth and in fact respondents in conducting "Continental Inheritance Service" have not had correspondents in all the principal cities of the world. They have not acted as counsellors to those in charge of estates, nor engaged in the business of locating heirs to estates or interests therein. They have not engaged in making examinations for title insurance companies, or genealogical research, actuarial work or searches of records. They have had no knowledge of any interests in estates or lands to which the persons concerning whom information was sought may be entitled. PAR. 6. Through the use of the names "Continental Inheritance Service," and "Inheritance Bureau Division" respondents have represented, directly and by implication that the said business bears some relation to estates and to the rights and interests of heirs thereof. The said representation is false and misleading. In truth and in 'fact said business has nothing whatever to do with estates or the rights or interests of persons therein, and the said names are merely disguises for the true nature of the business.

PAR. 7. The use, as hereinabove set forth, of the foregoing false and misleading statements, representations and designations has had the capacity and tendency to mislead and deceive, and has misled and deceived, many persons to whom the said form letters were sent, into the erroneous and mistaken belief that said statements, representations and designations Were true and correct, and by reason thereof to give information which they would not otherwise have supplied, and in many instances to incur expense for postage in connection therewith.

Par. 8. The aforesaid acts and practices of respondents, as herein alleged, are all to the prejudice and injury of the public, and constitute unfair and deceptive acts and practices in commerce within the intent and meaning of the Federal Trade Commission Act.

REPORT, Findings AS TO THE FACTS, AND ORDER Pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Federal Trade Commission, on December 14, 1943, issued and subsep quently served its complaint upon the respondents, Atlantic .Commercial •' Findings 39 F. T. C.

Agency, Inc., a corporation, and Gerald H. Strickland, G. Russell Walsh, S. Mortimer Hirshorn and Dorothy Boyden, individuals, charging them with the use of unfair and deceptive acts and practices in commerce in violation of the provisions of said act. After the service of said complaint, and the filing of an answer by respondent, Hirshorn, no answer being filed by the other respondents, testimony and other evidence in support of the allegations of the complaint were introduced by R. W. Branch, attorney for the Commission, and in opposition to the allegations of the complaint by the respondents, before Arthur F. Thomas, an examiner of the Commission, theretofore duly designated by it, and said testimony and other evidence were duly recorded and filed in the office of the Commission. Thereafter, respondents waived the filing of a report upon the evidence by the examiner, the filing of briefs and oral argument and agreed that the matter might be disposed of by the Commission upon the record. Thereafter, the matter came on for final hearing upon the said complaint, answer of respondent, Hirshorn, and said testimony and other evidence, and the Commission, having duly considered the matter and being now fully advised in the premises, finds that this proceeding is in the interest of the public and makes this its findings as to the facts and its conclusion drawn therefrom.

FINDINGS AS TO THE FACTS PARAGRAPH 1. Respondent, Atlantic Commercial Agency, Inc., is a corporation, organized and existing under the laws of the State of New Jersey; it has not been active since on or about March 1, 1943. During its active corporate life, which began in 1937, respondents, Gerald H. Strickland and G. Russell Walsh, were in control of its management, policies and operation. The business of the corporation was the collection of debts owed to others. In November, 1943, the connection of respondent Walsh with the enterprise was severed, and the business was thereafter conducted by respondent Strickland under the trade name "Atlantic Commercial Agency." From about March 1, 1943, to the time of the withdrawal of respondent, Walsh, in November, 1943, liquidation of the corporation and the withdrawal of either Walsh or Strickland from the business was in contemplation, and during that period it was desired to keep the business intact, with a view to an orderly transfer of the business to the new ownership. During this period, respondent, S. Mortimer Hirshorn, was to notify those who sent claims to the Atlantic Commercial Agency, Inc., to send the claims to him, the clients to be notified when the transfer of the business to the new owner had been accomplished. This was done, and during this period, respondent, Hirshorn, operated the business through respondents, Walsh and Strickland who, in fact, conducted the business as they had previously done. Respondent, Hirshorn, who is an attorney at law practicing in Camden, N.J., was acting as a sort of conservator for the business; the business was conducted in his name, and he was aware of the use by respondents, Walsh and Strickland, of the form letters hereinafter referred to. During this period, so far as clients of the business were concerned, the claims were being collected by respondent, Hirshorn. The collection business was at all times conducted from 101 North Third Street, Camden, N. J.

ATLANTIC COMMERCIAL AGENCY, INC., ET AL. 227\. 222 Findings Respondent, Dorothy Boyden, is connected with a secretarial service located in Suite 708 in the Tower Building, 6 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Ill., which service includes the furnishing of an address at which Persons may have mail received and forwarded. The services rendered by respondent, Dorothy Boyden, to the other respondents, hereinafter set forth, were discontinued in November or December, 1943. PAR. 2. Respondents, Atlantic Commercial Agency, Inc., Walsh and Strickland, were engaged, subsequent to 1937, in the business of collecting accounts owed to others. The business has at all times had clients who Were located both within and without the State of New Jersey for whom the collection of accounts has been undertaken. Many of said clients caused goods and other property to be transported from their respective Places of business to purchasers thereof in other States of the United States, and maintain, and have maintained, courses of trade in such goods and property in commerce between and among the various States of the Dnited States. The course and conduct of the said business during the Periods prior to and subsequent to March 1, 1943, has involved intercourse of a commercial and business nature between respondents, other than Dor· othy Boyden, and their clients, and with respondent, Dorothy Boyden, and with persons concerning whom information was sought located in States other than the State of New Jersey.

PAR. 3. In the course and conduct of the said collection business, respondents, other than Dorothy Boyden, have frequently desired to ascertain the current addresses and occupations of persons alleged to owe money to their clients, the names and addresses of the employers of such persons ~nd of the banks in which such persons have money on deposit, and other Information concerning them.

For this purpose, these said respondents have used certain form letters, Which are exemplified by copies thereof, marked Exhibits A and B, attached hereto, and by this reference incorporated herein and made· a part hereof.

PAR. 4. Respondents, Walsh, Strickland and Atlantic Commercial :\gency, Inc., caused the form letters exemplified by Exhibit A to be placed rn envelopes addressed to the persons concerning whom information was sought at their last known addresses, and the letters exemplified by Exhibit B to be placed in envelopes addressed to other persons believed to have information concerning them. Said envelopes bear, in the upper left corner:

Inheritance Bureau Division Suite 708 6 North Michigan Ave., Chicago, Illinois.

Also enclosed in these envelopes are other envelopes, for the return of the said form letters, addressed to:

Inheritance Bureau Division 6 North Michigan Avenue Suite 708 Chicago, Illinois.

Respondents, Walsh, Strickland and Atlantic Commercial Agency, Inc., caused the said envelopes and enclosures to be transported to the said Findings 39 F. T. C.

Chicago address, where they were received by respondent, Dorothy Boyden, who thereafter caused them to be placed in the United States mail. The said envelopes bore addresses of places located in various States of the United States. The participation of respondent, Dorothy Boyden, aided in and was essential to the successful operation of the plan for obtaining the desired information.

Such of the form letters as were filled out and mailed by the recipients thereof were received. by respondent, Dorothy Boyden, in Chicago, III., who thereafter caused them to be transported, unopened, to the other re· spondents in the State of New Jersey. Respondent, Boyden, was supplied with large envelopes in which to mail the returned form letters; some of these envelopes were already addressed to respondent, Hirshorn. PAR. 5. By means of the aforesaid form letters and envelopes, respond· ents have represented, directly and by implication, to the persons to whom they were sent, that "Continental Inheritance Service" has cor· respondents in all principal cities of the world, acts as counsellor to those in charge of estates, is engaged in the business of locating heirs to estates or to interests therein, acts as examiner for title insurance companies, en· gages in genealogical research, actuarial work and searches of records, and that the persons concerning whom information is sought have or may have interests in estates or lands which will be of financial benefit to them. The said representations were false and misleading. In truth and in fact, respondents in conducting "Continental Inheritance Service" have not· had correspondents in aU the principal cities of the world, although they have had access to, and have used, various legal and commercial directories and directories of collection agencies in connection with the business. Such lists and directories give the names and addresses of at tor· neys and collection agencies in all the principal cities of the world. They have not acted as counsellors to those in charge of estates, nor engaged in the business of locating heirs to estates or interests therein. They have not engaged in making examinations for title insurance companies, or gene· alogical research, actuarial work or searches of records. They have had no knowledge of any interests in estates or lands to which the persons con· cerning whom information was sought may be entitled. PAR. 6. Through the use of the names "Continental Inheritance Service" and "Inheritance Bureau Division," respondents have repre· sented, directly and by implication, that the said business bears some re· lation to estates and to the rights and interests of heirs thereof. The said representation is false and misleading. In truth and in fact, . said business has nothing whatever to do with estates, other than those of debtors from whom they are trying to collect, or the rights or interests of persons therein, and the said names are merely disguises for the true nature of the business.

PAR. 7. The use, as hereinabove set forth, of the foregoing false and misleading statements and representations, including the use of the names "Continental Inheritance Service" and "Inheritance Bureau Division," has had the capacity and tendency to mislead and deceive, and has misled and deceived, many persons to whom the said form letters were sent, into the erroneous and mistaken belief that said statements and representa· tions were true and that the names "Continental Inheritance Service" and "Inheritance Bureau Division" truthfully indicated and described the ATLANTIC COMMERCIAL AGENCY, INC. 1 ET AL. 229 222 Order character of the concern making inquiry and requesting the information, and by reason thereof to give information which they would not otherwise have supplied, and in many instances, to incur expense for postage in connection therewith.

CONCLUSION The aforesaid acts and practices of respondents, as herein found, are all to the prejudice and injury of the public, and constitute unfair and deceptive acts and practices in commerce within the intent and meaning of the Federal Trade Commission Act.

ORDER TO CEASE AND DESIST This proceeding having been heard by the Federal Trade Commission Upon the complaint of the Commission, the answer of respondent, S. Mortimer Hirshorn, and testimony and other evidence taken before Arthur F. Thomas, an examiner of the Commission theretofore duly designated by it, in support of the allegations of the complaint and in opposition thereto, respondents having waived all intervening procedure and further hearings · as to the facts, and the Commission having made its findings as to the facts and its conclusion that the respondents have violated the provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act.

lt is ordered, That respondent, Atlantic Commercial Agency, Inc., a corporation, its officers, agents, representatives and employees, and respondents, Gerald H. Strickland, G. Russell Walsh, S. Mortimer Hirshorn, and Dorothy Boyden, individuals, their agents, representatives and employees, directly or through the use of any corporate or other device, in connection with the use of form letters, post cards, or other mailable matter in commerce, as "commerce" is defined in the Federal Trade Commission Act, do forthwith cease and desist from:

1. Using the words "Continental Inheritance Service" or "Inheritance Bureau Division" or any other word or words which import or imply a relationship to estates or to the rights or interests of heirs thereof, to designate, describe or refer to the business of respondents, or any of them, in seeking information concerning debtors or alleged debtors. 2. Representing, directly or by implication, that respondents, or any of them, in the seeking of information concerning debtors or alleged debtors, have correspondents in all principal cities of the world. 3. Representing, directly or by implication; that respondent~, or any of them, in the seeking of information concerning debtors or alleged debtors, act as counselors to those in charge of estates or are engaged in the business of locating heirs to estates or to interests therein. 4. Representing, directly or by implication, that respondents, or any of them, in the seeking of information concerning debtors or alleged debtors, act as examiners for title insurance companies. 5. Representing, directly or by implication, that respondents, or any of them, in the seeking of information concerning debtors or alleged debtors, are engaged in genealogical research, actuarial work or the searching of records.

Order 39 F. T. C.

6. Representing, directly or by implication, that persons concerning whom information is sought by means of form letters, post cards or other mailable matter, to be used in the collection of debts, have or may have interests in estates or lands.

7. Using form letters, post cards or other mailable matter for the p~r­ pose of obtaining information to be used in the collection of debts which Exhibit A IXAMINI. ... P'OIIII TITLI (.OM .. ANIU COiltltiiPONDIHTI IN ALL Plllillli'Cif'AL C:ITIII 01' TNI WORLD 91AIIIICNI.IIII Of' RICOIIPII ACTUAIIII118 MISSIIIIIG H,EIRS LOCATE.D GINIALOOII1'1 (l!onttnrntul lln~rritanrr ~rrutu ICatabll•h•d 1821 Estate COUNSELLORS INHERITANCE BUREAU DIVISION Sultl 708 All RepiiH Conoldoro<l t North Mlchil'an Avenue Coalldootlol Chica,o, llhnoia om.. u•• o..,, Sec:tloa ----- -~ .......................... -._ ........... ~ ......... . Checked By ... ··- ..........•.......•.•...

Dloburoed By ... .••.•• - - •..... - Date of Dltburaement ............ ................................ Ok'd By -·· .•....•......•.....•............•.............. Date Thia Fonn Returned ......... ,_____ .................. . DEAR FRIEND:

We have been endeavoring to communicate with a person of your name and our Investigation now leads us to believe that you are the Interested party. So that we may verify our belief In this direction, we ask that you give us the information requested on the reverse side of this aheet.

The Information contained will be treated In the strictest of confidence, and used to our beat advantage.

A great many people write to us asking that we give an explanation of our action In sending this form. This we cannot do, as you can readily understand that if valuable Information were to get In the hands of the wrong party, it would react to the disadvan· tage of the prop<'r one. Therefore, please do not ask uo to break our standard rule as we cannot do 10.

Thla Ia a matter of distinct importance to you if you are the Individual in question and we ask that you mail this form back to us IMMEDIATELY. You will be communi· cated with In three or four weeks. If It does not check with our records, the form will be carefully Indexed, and filed In the event something develops later that will again bring you Into the possibility of being the correct party. Do not aend any money, the aervlce Ia rendered to you without charge. Youn very truly, By·--·- -- ................... -- Examiner This form will not bear the name and address of the person to whom it io sent. Your name lnomediately refer ua to this investigation. This Is done so as to devote more time to accomplish results In the actual examination. ATLANTIC COMMERCIAL AGENCY, INC., ET AL. 231 222 Order Exn1b1t A IF NECESSARY, USE SEPARATE SHEET FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Ge-ntlemen: Date . . . . . . . ....•..•......• 194 I ri\·~ )'OU the !ollowinr in!orm~:~.tion with the di.JtiDct undentandln• that I am not oblieated in any maMer: My Full Name Pusent Addrt!IS City and Stott Pretent Occupation PllC't ol Birth Date Do you 1\:lvt a !On or hthtr, who has the exact ume name1 It 10, stat.f which Hia ace Addnss C1t and State (check (I) which) (Such as ltaliaD, Germa.D, .Jewt.h., etc:.) Socia) Security No. I Color: White Nera Rue : I yoo.r ago Citv and SIAl to .i"C 32_y~arsyears a.roIRO CitYCity andand StateState 42y ro~--------------------------------~C~It~r~a~a~d~S~IAI~IAI~------------------------------ 5 yurs ago City and State MY PARENTS MY WIFE'S PARENTS Father'o Namo Father'• Name 0 ~A~dd~r -------------------------------­ ., Mother's Name Mother'• Name Cz: Addnss Addreu ~other'l Ma1E_en Name ~ THE FOLLOWING PERSONS CAN IDENTIFY ME: (To cuard apinal lmpoo!Aira.) Name Addnu Name Adclrua Name AddHaa I CAN ALSO BE IDENTIFIED BY THE FOLLOWING:

My present employer {name of i\rm) Address Mr badre number My p~Yious employer Addreu My badre number Na.mto of my banking institution Address Ia it a cbKkinc or savinr account ~'\titution have your signature on ftle Othtr tha.n my (other and mother, the tollowinr relatives ean Touch for me: Name Addre1.1 Name AcldnM My pruent wife's Cull nln'l"' Hu present addressi 't She was born at Date !~ SheI( wifecan isbedead,identifit'dgivt' dattoby herandrmployerplace who 11. HE"r employcor's address City and Sta~ (If previously marricd, rive first wifto'a full name) Siraod .............................................. .. (without obli&:aUon) If )'OU have rea&on to believe JOY have moner co mine &o )'Ou, &dvtat full detaila on IPparate ahiet.. :$/ l7l .... 0 "1 E.t~A.III,..tas FOR TITLE. COMPANIES CORRE'SPONOENTS IN ALL PRrNCIPAL CITIES OF' THE WORLD SEARCHERS OF' RECORDS t..:>;::Jcl(") <+C!l AC.'TUAAI£5 HEIRS GENEALOGISTS MISSING LOCATED ~ <+d ::r"'d C!l "'-<P"£'"·S:: ..... ('!) "1 t..:> "''0 .... "1m-(IQ 0 .. <+ ('!) <!1ontinrnta-l lJnlJrritnnrr ~rruirre:_::s ?::r~:~ UTABLISHIED t:t2•r.oo ""i~c+ 0 ~s:-s. ESTATE COUNSELLORS a::r('!)~s-~ INHERITANCE BUREAU DIVISION All Replies Co~sHieN<I Suite lob Coafidentiol l:lj ~ ~@ Michigo11 Ave. e+ (":) 6 Nonh•~ s·S0 ""'i l".J o.-~oS!. Cfl.icogo, Illinois Thit is the ~· we or.e trying to contact. t::1 e+""i -'< l".J b"' ~ ('!)c+ ~.r::o.R.,~Oto--' 00 .. .._, to; !;d -o~S"o­ ~ P" "1 P" .... '< ('!) o. ('!) c+~ ::se. .... 8 S ~"1 <*"(JQ s Dear Friend: ~ We are trying to contoct the above person and our records include your name as one who is a relative, ~ !:!:l&" .... 'O t::1 friend or acquaintance. · t'l l".J Clo~ ('!)::Scl"1e.s "1:slrn"1c+ Will you be k•nd enough to give 'us any or all the informatoon that may lead us to such can tact, as & ;:::1.'0 ..... C'l s <+o ....o 0' 0 0 ~ ~::s ::r ::s ::s follows: ..... .. c-.~ c+ His (or herl last p,. p,. g. cT ts: .. ts:...... O'&"~§S. knownIt may beaddressthat his lherl employer. has thf. City & State OJ Ul so&rs~ Addr~ss o rn c+ ovi\epropernameoddres.s.of employ..-on f.le. t~efore pleos.e od· P" 0"' P" .... Ul...... Name of 0 s e.CD CD 1:1 Relative Address z ::a ~ •.:- ~ '0 8: rn ;§. c:: EJ Any(such Othera~ his bcnkSuggestionor business hou!aoe who moy t::1 l".J have on oddrt"~'5. on the.r books. ~ '0 may c;· §: g.. haven"t s.een above mentioned party C'l It you ...... c+::s ....,p,.~ Q1Ve ami k•ndlv name oddre'5.s. of :;:r~""' Ul...... that person or perwns con supply the neces- CD "1 g • 0CD ~ryrecently. .nformot•on to help us in our important 0 p,. :;:r'O '<CD - 1nquirv. z ~ ~ 0 Ul < CD,...~ ~ 'dl ~.... 0, (")::s- ::s cc o::;:~ .g This may be of importance to saod person. May we hear "1 from yau promptly by return mail in the ?:I rn '0s ......... enclosed envelope. We highly apprecoate your courtesy. ...; !-3 ............,.......e+CD Yours truly, ('!) P,.(IQ ::s <I ~-....rn CONTINENTAL INHERITANCE SERVICE 9 CRAVAT-SILKS, INC. 233 Complaint

← 39 F.T.C. 211 · 39 F.T.C. 233 →