Reader Christopher is a Comcast customer, but had just signed a new one-year lease an has no plans to move. So the letter from Comcast he received in the mail that said “New home transfer service summary” in red letters caught his attention. Was there an error at Comcast and they thought he was moving? Was the the victim of identity theft? Better open it and find out.

Of course, it wasn’t. The mailer was advertising “special offers” available to him if he does move. He realized that this was somewhat similar to the misleading Dish Network reseller mailing that we posted earlier this week, except this letter came direct from Kabletown itself.

I just read your story about Dish Network’s misleading mailer about an installation, and wanted to share the Comcast version.

I have (reluctantly) been a Comcast customer for nearly 2 years and have been in my current apartment for 1. I just renewed my lease and have communicated nothing to Comcast about moving, so thought this letter asking me to confirm my new address by 9/27 odd. Obviously I opened it immediately to make sure there was nothing fraudulent happening with my account, and it turned out to be a sales gimmick. Comcast wanted me to be aware of their “special offers” via their Mover’s Edge program, just in case I decided to move. I can also get a $200 prepaid gift card, which I’m sure would require some sort of agreement signed in blood.

If anything, it actually got me to open something from them that wasn’t a bill. Score one for Comcast.

Yes. Score one for Comcast, but in the end, we all lose.

UPDATE: A rep for Comcast sent the following statement to Consumerist:

Thank you for your email about the Movers Edge® program from Comcast. We appreciate the opportunity to address this matter. The direct mail you referenced in your email is sent to customers who either are or may be moving. The language on the outer envelope does not relate to any specific customer(s) and is a reference to an offer under the Movers Edge program as explained in detail in the accompanying letter. The letter does not state or suggest that any particular customer is moving and, when opened, the letter begins with the question “Moving?” Thereafter, the letter makes clear that “if you are planning to move” you should consider calling Comcast for a special offer. Comcast’s messaging on the outer envelope signals to customers that a summary of the mover’s program offer is inside. Our position is the envelope is not misleading and is consistent with industry practice.

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