No Free Lunch…The Arkla-Texoma Fish Hatchery has been running an ad in the Wichita Falls Times Record News for free fish. However, this is not the whole story. Once they call in, consumers are informed that they have to buy large quantities of fish in order to get the free fish. In some cases, the fish are delivered dead and the company refuses to replace them or refund the consumer’s money, according to the BBB. Most complaints claim the consumer was threatened after disputing the advertising claims or contacting the company for a refund.

The BBB has given Arkla-Texoma Fish Hatchery an F rating which is the worst rating a business can be given. The Arkla-Texoma Fish Hatchery has had complaints filed against them from consumers in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Alabama, but the North Central Texas BBB in Wichita Falls has now received complaints regarding the operations of Arkla-Texoma Fish Hatchery.

Arkla-Texoma Fish Hatchery is owned by Rex Alan Curtis of Arkansas. The BBB has not been able to contact Curtis because his address on file is not valid.

In the Wichita Falls area, several complaints have been received alleging threats from Curtis, and one consumer so far has had money taken from his account and has not heard from Curtis again.

On March 13, 2009 the Arkansas Attorney General filed charges against Rex Allen Curtis, DBA, Arkla-Texoma Fish Hatchery and the various other names he does business under. The charges filed indicate the business is in violation of the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

The charges filed by the Arkansas Attorney General allege that Curtis has engaged in a systematic, planned and coordinated scheme to defraud consumers. The charges also allege that he uses deceptive advertising, threatens consumers, and fails to deliver fish after payment has been received.

Curtis was also reported by KATV channel 7 out of Little Rock Arkansas; to have 40 citations for distributing fish without a proper aquatic organism license and threatening a customer.