With the Feb. 17 deadline for U.S. television stations to broadcast only in digital format looming, Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch has issued a consumer advisory that the $1.34 billion TV Converter Box Coupon Program, administered through the U.S. Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), has run out of money. Consumers are now being placed on a waiting list to receive a coupon that will help pay for a TV conversion.

To maintain TV reception, consumers must install a converter box that turns analog signals into digital by that date. The transition will affect more than 70 million consumers but will not affect cable and satellite TV customers.

Lynch also is warning consumers to be alert for scams that will arise from the pending switch from analog to digital TV.

“Unfortunately, a deadline like this creates an atmosphere that’s conducive to fraud. Scammers will be looking to bilk consumers out of money and to obtain sensitive, personal information for the purpose of identity theft,” he said.

If Rhode Islanders have not yet applied for or received a voucher to help them pay for the switchover, they should also be aware that a typical converter box costs between $40 and $80. They should not pay more.

Lynch advises that unless more money is allocated to the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, requests for NTIA coupons from now on will be filled on a first-come first-served basis as funds become available from expiring coupons. Households will not receive the $40 vouchers until funds become available. If consumers would like to apply for a coupon and are eligible, they will be placed on a waiting list and will receive a reference number they can use to visit the program's Web site periodically and check the status of their request.

The Web site is www.dtv2009.gov/WaitingList.aspx. Consumers also may phone 1-888-DTV-2009.

As of this week, more than 100,000 people were on the waiting list. NTIA is blaming the cash shortfall on a late run on coupon requests.

Lynch is monitoring congressional efforts that would allow NTIA to start re-issuing coupons that have been sent to consumers but not redeemed.

"For many people, especially senior citizens, the TV is not a nicety but a necessity, an essential lifeline to the world outside,” Lynch said. “Obviously, having to pay $40 to $80 for a converter box, or much more money for a digital TV, out of pocket is less than ideal, especially in this economy, but I urge Rhode Islanders to make sure that at least one television in their home is equipped to receive digital signals by Feb. 17. As frustrating as it is that the federal government has failed to adequately fund this initiative, it will be worse if consumers become victimized by scams in the days leading up to the switchover.”