CONTACT

Barbara Read
VP/Communications Director
Telephone: 970-224-4222 / 800-564-0370 x118
Email: media@mountainstates.bbb.org

The Mountain States Business Bureau is receiving numerous calls from Colorado consumers regarding telephone offers for $200 worth of coupons to Wal-Mart. To seal the deal, the consumer is asked for his or her checking account number to which a $3.98 charge for shipping and handling will be debited.

Problem is, this is not an offer from Wal-Mart, and is most likely from a company that sells membership programs nationwide, said Pamela King, president/CEO of the Mountain States Better Business Bureau. In other calls, vouchers to Home Depot are offered. Membership fees vary from $19.95 per month to $99.95 per year.

"If you get a call from a company you don't know, do not give your bank account number, credit card number, or other personal information," she said. "If the caller uses the name of a company that you do recognize, contact that company directly to verify the call."

If you have given your bank account number or credit card number to a telemarketer and you are concerned that there may be unauthorized drafts from your bank account or charges to your credit card, contact your bank or the bank that services your credit card.

Call your BBB to let them know and see if there is new information. Visit the Mountain States BBB online at www.mountainstates.bbb.org, or phone 800-564-0371. To check on a company nationwide, simply click on the words "Click here to search national BBB database" at the top of the company search page on the Mountain States BBB Web site. It's just good business!