My husband and I receive a lot of “free offer” calls. Sometimes, I’m tempted to sign up but I’m afraid the offers are a scam so I refuse the gifts. Do you think any of these offers might be legitimate for the future? — Victoria Vigilant

Dear Mrs. Vigilant: I’m a bridge player, and a long time ago I learned the old bridge adage, “Beware of cheap tricks.” In your case and that of many others, unfortunately, the same holds true: if something seems too good to be true (as in a “free” gift offered by a perfect stranger), it usually is…

Because so many of us still want to trust people and their motives, it’s usually necessary to reiterate that we simply cannot be too careful. Unless we precipitate phone calls ourselves to a legitimate organization (and even then, personal information should be kept to a barebones minimum), never, ever agree to anything promised by an unfamiliar person. For example, if one says “yes” to this type of gift or, worse, a continuity plan — even though you have no clue to what you’re really agreeing — it often activates a bill for magazines, CDs, and the like. Worse, you’ve also consented to automatically buy products or services on a monthly basis. And don’t think all you’ve got to do is call or write and cancel. No, no, no, you’ve another thing coming! What about the time, effort, and various menus that folks go through to try to contact a respectable source? Disastrously enough and before you know it, you’re in hock up to your elbows for those 26 CDs that keep on coming. So please listen up.

When a caller makes you an offer, listen very carefully. If you don’t understand the terms, ask the person to repeat them. Be certain to write down important information, such as the customer service telephone number and address. Ask the seller to call you back tomorrow so that you have an opportunity to check out the company, its merchandise and/or services. If you’re unable to thoroughly vet these to your satisfaction, then say, “Thanks, but no thanks and take me off your list, effective immediately.”

If you should decide maybe to give it a try, then be sure to ask specific questions in order to receive reasonable answers. 1) Is this freebie related to a membership, subscription, or service contract? 2) Must I contact the company to avoid it sending any subsequent products or services? What is my deadline? Who do I contact and how — phone, email, letter? 3) Who is offering this free trial or free gift, you or another company? (If the latter, be sure to obtain the name, address, and phone number.)

These and other precautions protect us from less-than-reliable sources. Of course, I like best a firm, simple but resounding “NO thank you.” Click.

Editor’s Note: Ellen Phillips is a retired English teacher who has written two consumer-oriented books. Her Consumer Watch column appears on Saturdays in the Business section of the paper. An expanded version is at www.timesfreepress.com under Local Business. E-mail her at consumerwatch@timesfreepress.com

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