A vacation telemarketer is using a local phone number to offer Western Pennsylvanians a "free" cruise after they complete a survey.

And that's a problem for the local Better Business Bureau. It said it has received numerous calls about the offer and is trying to find out more. The bureau said the calls are coming from 412-901-8510.

"Use caution before you decide to hand over payment information and, as always, be alert for criminals invading your home by telephone," said Bureau President Warren King. "Telemarketing scams steal more than $60 billion a year from Americans."

Mr. King asked that anyone with information about the offer contact the bureau at 412-456-2700.

The bureau has established a program called "Hot Topics." It's designed to provide information on "problematic companies" targeting consumers.

"The BBB feels that this proactive approach will help educate and protect the marketplace from questionable businesses targeting local consumers," Mr. King said. According to a 2007 survey, he said, an estimated 13.5 percent of the adult population of the entire country had been a fraud victim.

Here's the first group of companies the bureau placed on its "Hot Topics" list. It asks consumers to "please take into consideration the importance of the practice and the total performance of the company." Although it said some companies have done a better job than others of responding to consumer complaints, it gave each of them an "F" rating.

• Process at Home -- a work-at-home company based in Los Angeles that "appears to offer a variety of services including processing rebates for an initial startup fee of between $143 and $365." The bureau said it had received 395 complaints nationally from consumers who allege the company "fails to clearly disclose details of their free trial offer, unauthorized credit card charges, and misrepresentation concerning the true nature of products and services."

• Credit Solutions of America of Richardson, Texas -- a debt-negotiation service that has generated 1,640 complaints at the bureau's office in Dallas. Consumers expressed dissatisfaction with the company's service and allege misrepresentation of the results of its debt-negotiation program. They said that following the program after paying a fee did not reduce their debt.

• U.S. Fidelis Administrative Services of Wentzville, Mo., also known as Dealer Services, markets an extended auto-warranty service. The bureau said 841 complaints have been filed against the company "alleging difficulty canceling policies and obtaining refunds, misleading advertisements, misleading sales tactics, poor customer service, failure to pay for vehicle repairs, difficulty contacting the company and misrepresentation of coverage."

The attorney general of Missouri sued Dealer Services in March 2008. The suit is pending.

• GF Institute of Paola, Kan., is mailing notices to consumers in which it offers government grants for a fee. The BBB in Kansas City said the company has failed to respond to complaints.

"If contacted by this company or any other company offering a government grant for a fee, do not give them your credit card or bank account information," Mr. King warned consumers. "Only official federal and state government agencies give government grants and only after you apply for them. To search legitimate grants you may be eligible for, visit www.grants.gov."

• Union Worker's Credit Services Inc. of Dallas offers a "credit card" that can be used only to make purchases from the company's own merchandise catalog. In response to questions posed by the bureau, the company said it is "not affiliated with a union."

Mr. King said the bureau has received 364 complaints concerning advertising issues and refunds related to that company. "Be wary about paying a fee before you apply for credit, especially if the promoter isn't the actual credit grantor," he said. "The promoter will be happy to take your money but, if they aren't the creditor, they cannot guarantee you'll get credit."

• United States Business Pages -Sky Publishing -Executive Business Listing, all of Las Vegas, Nev. -- Mr. King said "numerous complaints" have been filed against the companies, including one from a local business owner who received invoices from several directories for listings he never approved.

"These types of directory schemes misrepresent that their offer is for renewals of listing or the local phone book, bill businesses without authorization and make abusive collection calls," he said.

To check on a "Hot Topics" company, go to www.bbb.org and click on "News Center" at the top of the home page or call 412-456-2700.