Responding To Pink Postcards May Open You To A Sales Pitch

The Better Business Bureau is warning St. Louis area residents that replying to pink postcards mailed out by National Reply Center could expose them to a sales pitch for insurance.

The cards offer recipients information on Social Security benefits and changes and offer a Walmart gift card of undisclosed value to those who respond. The BBB has seen similar postcards from National Reply Center in the past. In those cases, consumers who responded complained that they were subjected to high-pressure sales calls for insurance.

Authorities in several states have ordered National Reply Center to stop sending solicitations for insurance in their states, saying the cards violate their state laws. National Reply Center has an "F" rating with the BBB, the lowest possible rating.

Details of today's BBB warning are in a press release on our website.

The BBB has tips for consumers who receive solicitations for insurance or other information:

• Be wary of any mailer offering free publications, information or gifts.  These often are inducements to get you to provide personal contact information.
• Never respond to any mailing, and never provide personal information to anyone unless you know specifically who is requesting it and why.
• If you respond to a mailing, you may be giving a telemarketer permission to contact you.
• Check out a BBB Business Review by calling 314-645-3300 or by going to www.bbb.org.