Law enforcement officials in several states have warned consumers against subscribing to a newsletter that promises to reveal how individuals can obtain money from the tobacco Master Settlement Agreeement (MSA), a Pennsylvania newspaper said.

MSA requires participating tobacco companies to pay billions of dollars to states and territories to offset health costs for treating smoking related diseases, but does not authorise individual payments. New York, California, West Virginia and Pennsylvania are among states issuing warnings, according to The Morning Call in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman in his warning urged consumers, “not to provide payment information to individuals or entities who claim they can assist in obtaining tobacco settlement money.”