A charge on your statement from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania labeled “CIGARSINT,” “BPA Sales LP,” “MEM-CILOYAL,” or “CIGARSINT* PURO PERKS” is almost always a recurring monthly fee for Puro Perks, a paid loyalty program tied to the cigar retailer Cigars International. It is not a charge for cigars you bought. To stop it, call Puro Perks at 888-645-4168, cancel online at PuroPerks.com, or email CustomerService@PuroPerks.com. You can also ask for a refund of past charges you did not knowingly authorize.
What the Charge Actually Is
Puro Perks is a monthly membership that offers cash back, shipping rebates, and discounts at Cigars International and other retailers. The fee is most commonly $14.95 a month, though customers have reported amounts of $15.94, $17.97, and $18.31 depending on the program version or billing period.1BBB. Complaints for Cigars International Related programs called Pipes Plus and Total Values Plus operate the same way.
The reason the descriptor looks unfamiliar is that the charge posts under several different names. “BPA Sales LP” is the legal entity behind Cigars International and CigarBid.com.2Cigars International Privacy Portal. Cigars International Data Request Form “MEM-CILOYAL” and “CIGARSINT* PURO PERKS” refer to the same membership program.3Puro Perks. Puro Perks FAQ Cigars International itself is based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, which is why some card statements show a Bethlehem billing location.
How You Probably Got Signed Up
According to complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau and the company’s own responses, enrollment usually happens through a pop-up window after a cigar purchase on the Cigars International website. The pop-up offers a shipping rebate. Entering an email address to claim the rebate enrolls the customer in a 30-day free trial of Puro Perks, and monthly billing begins automatically once the trial ends.1BBB. Complaints for Cigars International
Cigars International says it follows up with a welcome email and a mailed packet explaining the terms. Many customers say they never saw either. Because the fee is small and the descriptor looks like a normal cigar purchase, the charges often run unnoticed for months. Disputed totals of $179 to nearly $300 are common in complaint filings.4BBB. Complaints for Cigars International – Page 2
How to Cancel
Puro Perks offers three ways to end the membership:3Puro Perks. Puro Perks FAQ
- Phone: 888-645-4168, listed as available 24/7.
- Online: sign in at PuroPerks.com/sign-in, open “Account,” and choose “Cancel Membership.”
- Email: send a cancellation request to CustomerService@PuroPerks.com.
Benefits continue through the end of the current billing cycle after you cancel, and any remaining balance in your Puro Perks “Savings” account is sent as an e-gift card.3Puro Perks. Puro Perks FAQ
For issues with the original enrollment itself, Cigars International customer service is reachable at 1-888-244-2790, Option 2, weekdays 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET and weekends 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.5Cigars International. Customer Support FAQ
How to Get a Refund
Ask directly for a full refund of the charges you did not intend to authorize. In cases documented on the BBB site, Cigars International’s typical response has been to cancel the subscription, refund the disputed months in full, and sometimes add a courtesy coupon of $30 to $100.6BBB. Complaints for Cigars International – Page 3 Refunds generally take up to 10 business days to appear on the card that was charged.
If calling and emailing does not resolve it, two other paths tend to work. Filing a BBB complaint has produced refunds in past cases; the BBB profile for Cigars International shows 158 complaints in the most recent three-year period, 89 of them billing-related.1BBB. Complaints for Cigars International You can also dispute the charges through your bank or card issuer. At least one BBB-documented case involved a consumer going through their bank, and Cigars International acknowledged it would work with the financial institution directly.6BBB. Complaints for Cigars International – Page 3
Federal Rules on Auto-Renewing Subscriptions
Signing customers up through a rebate pop-up and then charging them monthly is the kind of setup covered by the FTC’s updated Negative Option Rule, finalized in November 2024. Key provisions took full effect by May 14, 2025. Sellers must clearly disclose all material terms before collecting billing information, obtain “unambiguously affirmative consent” before charging, and provide a cancellation process at least as simple as the sign-up.7Federal Register. Negative Option Rule, 16 CFR Part 425
In March 2026, the FTC issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking further comment on preventing unintended charges and removing cancellation obstacles.8FTC. Negative Option Rule If you believe your enrollment or the billing violates these rules, you can complain to the FTC. Pennsylvania residents can also file with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General through its online complaint portal, since Cigars International is headquartered in the state.9Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Submit a Complaint