The Real Losers in the Contest Game

I enjoyed Howard Rosenberg’s humorous account of the Publishers Clearing House foolishness (“You May Already Be a Winner!” Sept. 28). However, Rosenberg didn’t touch on the fact that these sweepstakes groups make a lot of money preying on the elderly.

Last month, when my 93-year-old mother, who had been living alone, had a stroke, I stayed with her while she was recovering. In three days of picking up her mail I found 18 sweepstakes offers telling her that she had “won” millions of dollars. All required that she send money or subscribe to a magazine before her claim to the jackpot could be verified. My mother’s house was littered with magazines, most of which appeared to be unread. To me, people who prey on the elderly like that are reprehensible.

James R. Gallagher

Huntington Beach

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The article on the Publishers Clearing House was hilarious. My wife is also “hooked.” The postage we have spent responding to each mailing, multiplied by uncounted millions of other contestants, must be a boon to the postal service.

But how can Publishers Clearing House afford to give away $11 million? I think I have the answer. The money is paid out over 30 years, which is $366,667 per year. At 4% interest, $11 million will produce $440,000 annually. But where did that $11 million come from? Profits? I want to invest!

Michael Leviton

Encino

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Was it a coincidence that you printed Rosenberg’s “You May Already Be a Winner” the same day as Parade magazine’s “Why Depression Is a Silent Killer”?

Joseph N. Feinstein

Sherman Oaks