Arkansas Small Businesses Beware of City Map Scam

July 6, 2007 -- LITTLE ROCK – Advertising is a good way to put one's business on the map: if more people know about your product, more people are likely to buy it. Recently, however, the Public Protection Department of the Arkansas Attorney General's Office has learned that door-to-door salesmen have been calling on local businesses in northeastern Arkansas pitching a bogus advertising deal. Accordingly, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel issued this consumer alert to advise business owners about this scam in hopes that they will avoid falling victim to it.

According to the information received by the Public Protection Department, scam artists have shown up at local businesses trying to sell advertising space on promotional maps of the city. If the business owner agrees to pay several hundred dollars, he can put his business on the map and receive 200 complimentary copies to distribute. However, once the victim hands over the money, the check is usually cashed the same day by somebody using a false name and the business owner never receives the maps.

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"This is scam is occurring right now in the part of the state I call home," said McDaniel, "and by informing all of Arkansas's business owners, I hope that we can stop this scam in its tracks and prevent more honest Arkansans from losing their hard-earned money."

If you are approached by a door-to-door salesman, whether at your home or place of employment, here are some warning signs that he is selling something you don't want to buy:

• Use of high pressure tactics. For instance, in the map scam, the salesperson convinces business owners that there is only limited space available and they must decide to advertise right away or they will miss out on the opportunity. Legitimate offers will always allow the prospective customer time to weigh her decision to buy.

• Use of false representations regarding support for or endorsement of the product. In the map scam, the salesperson may tell the business owner that the promotional maps have the support of the local Chamber of Commerce and that all of his competitors have chosen to advertise. Both claims are false, and prospective customers should take the time to verify any such references before buying.

• Insisting on payment up front. Never pay for a product or service before you receive it.

If you have been approached by a person selling promotional maps or if you believe you are a victim of this scam, please contact the Public Protection Department of the Attorney General's Office at (501) 682-2341 or toll-free statewide at (800) 482-8982. You may also file a consumer complaint by accessing http://www.ArkansasAG.gov/complaints_consumer_online.html

Source: Arkansas Attorney General