CONTACT

Katie Mitzner / Communications Director
Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado
Telephone: 719/636-5076 Ext. 118
Fax: 719/636-5078
Email: katiem@bbbsc.org

Scam Offers Free “Anything” Coupons But Ends Up Costing You In End!

This latest scam offers consumers promotional items ranging from gas cards to movie tickets to long distance services for a small fee, but in the end the consumer ends up footing a big bill!

Premier Movie Pass. According to consumers, the callers offer to sell you a variety of gift cards and coupons for a nominal introduction membership fee of $3.95. Consumers are asked for their bank account information. Consumers who give this personal information allege that they are unable to cancel the membership in time and that $277 is debited from their account. In many cases consumers never receive the coupons or any further information from the company. The company says that they do provide a cancellation period and phone number to consumers so that they may cancel their membership, but by the time any information arrives at the consumer’s home, the period has expired. Consumers report that the phone number often rings busy and is difficult to get through. The potential customers are informed when they sign up with the company that if they agree to the membership they may also incur monthly fees ranging from $19.95 to $99.95 a year. Even consumers who have cancelled their memberships find that th e money is withdrawn from their account, and are concerned that they may incur additional monthly costs.

The companies based out of California and Nevada have unsatisfactory records with the Better Business Bureau. The company Buyer’s Union out of Orange, California currently has 187 complaints filed against it in the last three years. The BBB of Southern Colorado urges extreme caution when dealing with any membership companies that solicit your business.

• Ask the company to send information regarding the membership terms and conditions prior to accepting the offer.
• Prior to agreeing to any purchase, get all of the contact information from the company, including phone number and address
• Never reveal personal information to a company that solicits your business
• If the company has your personal information, monitor your accounts regularly and notify your bank of the issue.
• Check with the BBB first, before doing business with unknown companies

If you’d like to arrange an interview with a local consumer affected by this scam, contact Katie Mitzner with the BBB of Southern Colorado at 719-636-5076 x118 or 866-206-1094 x118.