Letter promises free tablet; Too good to be true?

PITTSBURGH — A letter promises a free tablet.  Does that sound too good to be true?

The letter looks like a personal, handwritten letter with the return stamp, "James Dudley of Las Vegas."   Inside is an offer from a company called Dudley Media Group, saying if you complete a survey, you'll get a free Android tablet.  The letter clearly states that you're under no obligation to pay, purchase or subscribe to anything.

"I received the letter a few weeks ago.  I pitched it the same day, thinking it was probably a scam," a Channel 11 viewer tweeted.

Channel 11 took the letter to the Better Business Bureau and learned the agency gave Dudley Media Group an F rating.  It said the company tries to reel people in with a free tablet and then pressures them to attend a presentation about buying vacation memberships.

"The BBB does view this as a deceptive marketing practice," said Caitlin Driscoll of the BBB.

Channel 11 contacted the company's marketing manager and she said, "Everyone who gets the letter is entitled to a tablet.  We're 100 percent legitimate.  If someone doesn't want to attend the presentation or buy a vacation membership, they can still pick up the tablet."

The BBB uncovered that James Dudley also owns several similar marketing companies, using the same tactics.

The BBB said if you're suspicious about an offer, research the company's name.

WPXI