"Urgent Notice" flyer raises questions

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WALA) - A flyer with "urgent notice" typed in bold letters across the top of it would most likely make you give it a closer look. Especially if the flyer also tells you that you can save money on your power bills.

Spanish Fort resident Thelma Matthews said that's why she kept the flyer she received, and called the number at the bottom to see what it was all about.

"I asked a lot of questions. How do we go about receiving these services and they told me that he would get our address and come to the house and then he would need to come inside and we'd have to turn all of the appliances on and then he would go check the meter to see if it was running properly," said Thelma Matthews.

Matthews said when she asked how that could save her money, the man on the phone wouldn't tell her.

"What he told me was, his other phone was ringing and he would have to get back with me. And then, he hung up," Matthews said.

David Horton, with Riviera Utilities in Foley, said he is aware of the flyers but he doesn't know anything about the company that's passing the flyers out. In fact, there isn't even a company name printed anywhere on the flyers.

"This company has never contacted us and we know nothing about the product itself other than they're out there trying to sell it to customers," said Horton.

Horton said from what he understands, the company is trying to sell devices that will reduce power factor.

"By this flyer, they say they measure things that are KVA. We sell power by kilowatt hours. So how it can save them, I'm not really sure. I haven't seen it demonstrated," said Horton.

Horton said he's not saying this is a scam, but he does have some tips for customers.

"If someone gave me this and I called them and asked them to come to my home and give me an opportunity to lower my power bill and they try to sell me a product, first thing I would ask is how much does it cost. Secondly, how will the product save me money? This offer sounds awfully good, I'd certainly be careful and ask the right questions," said Horton.

Horton said sometimes offers that sound too good to be true, are.

Horton said you should also make sure that whoever installs anything on your power system is a certified electrician.