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Show Caveat emptor! Scams a big local problem classified as ' 'employable handicapped" han-dicapped" which includes pregnant women, recovering alcoholics, and parolees. The BBB advises consumers con-sumers to make their donations to legitimate charities and to comparison com-parison shop for all purchases. Vacation certificates have also generated a lot of calls in recent weeks. The certificates are given away as promotional items or sold as part of a coupon book promotion, or a membership in a spa or buyers club. In a typical sales pitch, consumers con-sumers will be told if they purchase a membership fee they are entitled to a wonderful, fun-filled trip to Pago Pago or some other such vacation vaca-tion hot spot. That dream vacation for two is often full of hidden charges, restrictions, restric-tions, scheduling problems and other pitfalls. For instance, the accomodation ac-comodation might be free, but the airfare must be purchased through the travel agent who handles the certificate; or, the free vacation is for one person but the room is based on double occupancy. The bureau has received numerous nu-merous complaints about the difficulty in making reservations because consumers are told the dates available are limited. The bureau bu-reau advises consumers to ask for written details before paying any money for vacation certificate. "The vacation you save may be your own," the report warns. If the number of calls and complaints com-plaints to the Better Business Bureau Bu-reau (BBB) are a reliable indicator, Utah's reputation as a haven for consumer ripoff and fraud continues con-tinues to attract con men from around the country. The latest scam revolves around telemarketing for charitable donations. dona-tions. The bureau has been swamped with calls about telemarketing companies using handicapped or homeless individuals in-dividuals as sales people. While the company may be hiring hir-ing the disadvantaged, it is usually to take advantage of a "sympathy plea" in their sales presentation, according to a March Activity Report release by the bureau. According to the report, the telemarketers will stress the fact they are disadvantaged and suggest they might have to go back on welfare or return to the streets if the consumer will not buy their product. pro-duct. Typically, the product is overpriced over-priced and is readily available at local stores. Some of the people hired by these companies are |