You pay to advertise your business on pens, calendars and other marketing materials that will be distributed in your area. Unfortunately, the materials are never produced and/or distribution is very limited. You and your business have just been the victims of consumer fraud. To protect yourself and company from consumer fraud you should:

-Get references from previous jobs and samples of the materials before you agree to buy. Contact the references to find out if the work was completed on time and the materials were distributed as promised.

-Do not be pressured into agreeing to anything immediately. Ask how you can reach the salesperson if you decide that you want to purchase the services.

-Shop around to compare prices and services. It may be less expensive to produce advertising materials yourself or with a local business.

-If you are not familiar with the advertising company, check its complaint record with the Better Business Bureau and your local consumer protection office.

-Get a written contract that includes the company's name, address, and telephone number, the price and payment schedule, a description of the materials, and the number that will be produced.

-Report fraudulent sales of advertising materials to law enforcement authorities and the Better Business Bureau.

For more information on your legal rights concerning consumer fraud, please visit www.ssem.com.

About the Author

Capital Ingenuity Corporation provides SEM, SEO, and other Internet marketing services to attorneys and law firms.