MADISON, Wis. (AP) _ The state Department of Justice is warning consumers about an online scam that tricks people into thinking they can get a share of Wisconsin's tobacco settlement.
DOJ officials say the promotion asks people to sign up for payments through Money Map Press and to provide their billing information to subscribe to a monthly report on the funds. But all they receive is information about investing in settlement-backed bonds.
Forty-six states reached a settlement with the largest American tobacco companies in 1998 that calls for the companies to pay $206 billion over 25 years to compensate governments for the costs of treating smokers' health problems. Assistant Attorney General Robert Bresette said Thursday that the settlement doesn't offer individual payments.