The Mississippi Better Business Bureau is warning area restaurant owners to beware of a scam circulating in the area.

    According to agency officials, the state’s Better Business Bureau received a call from a Meridian business about a door-to-door salesperson offering advertising to local restaurants. The company thought about the offer and asked for the representative to leave some information behind for them to review.  

    The restaurant team decided to do some checking on their own and contacted BBB serving Mississippi with concerns about a company called Restaurant Entertainment Inc.

     BBB Mississippi couldn’t find complete information on the company based in Oregon, so a BBB investigator reached out to the company to see if anyone was selling their services in Meridian. A representative from Restaurant Entertainment Inc. did confirm that there was someone selling advertising in that area at one time, but no one was currently selling in Meridian.

    Restaurant Entertainment Inc. sells advertising to local businesses that is published on local restaurant menus. BBB contacted the restaurants in question but neither had knowledge of this program and had not signed any contracts. BBB made a follow up call to Restaurant Entertainment Inc. and the company stated the “contracts” were never finalized. To sell “door to door” in the city of Meridian you must obtain a permit from the city.

    A privilege permit department employee confirmed to BBB that no such permit was applied for by anyone selling on behalf of Restaurant Entertainment Inc. BBB is encouraging businesses to contact us if they signed up for Restaurant Entertainment Inc services, since according to the company no contracts for the area were placed.

     “We want businesses and residents to make sure they know who they are doing business with,” BBB serving Mississippi CEO John O’Hara said. “Unfortunately there are people who are trying to get money for things they can’t deliver. I am glad the business contacted us and made us aware of the company.”                 O’Hara offered the following advice to avoid scams:

    • Don’t fall for high-pressure sales tactics: Scammers use high-pressure tactics, hoping you’ll make a purchase or bad decision before you can think it over. Don’t fall for it.

    • Ask to see the terms and conditions: Legitimate advertising companies will give you the details in writing, including the commitment period, total price and cancellation instructions.

    • Request to see the seller’s license. Many municipalities require a solicitation license before you can sell door-to-door. If your town has this law, be sure to ask to see the seller’s license.

    • Contact the company direct. If you are uncertain about the company, contact them directly with questions or concerns.

    • Check with BBB. Not all door-to-door sales are scams. Look up the seller on our website at bbb.org to see what others’ experience has been, or call your local BBB for more information.

    For More Information. To find out more about other scams, check out BBB Scam Stopper (bbb.org/scam). To report a scam, go to BBB Scam Tracker (bbb.org/scamtracker)

    To find reputable companies or contractors, consumers can contact BBB at 601-398-1700 or bbb.org/mississippi.