TIP NUMBER ONE

Beware of Robocalls Promising to Lower Credit Card Interest Rates

Telemarketers selling dubious debt assistance plague consumers

Consumers across the U.S. and Canada are sounding off to Better Business Bureau about incessant automated telemarketing calls promising to lower interest rates on their credit cards. 

Not only are the calls a nuisance and violate U.S. and Canadian Do-Not-Call laws, but some companies behind the calls are ripping off consumers by charging large upfront fees to negotiate lower interest rates with credit card companies—something consumers can do on their own for free.

According to figures cited by the White House in January, credit-card debt increased 25 percent in the past 10 years, totaling $963 billion – with per household credit card debt at nearly $9,000 now. Knowing that so many families are drowning in debt, telemarketers offering suspect financial assistance are taking full advantage of the situation. Consumers have reported receiving calls as early as three in the morning and on both their cell and home phones even when they have registered the numbers with federal Do-Not-Call lists. Consumers also tell BBB that, despite their requests to the telemarketers to stop calling, the calls continue to come. 

BBB has received numerous complaints about two Orlando-based companies, CSTR Solutions, Inc. and Genesis Capital Management, and one Tacoma-based company, Mutual Consolidated Savings. All are behind at least some of the robocalls and are promising to save people anywhere from $2,000 to $25,000 by negotiating lower interest rates with credit card companies.

Robocalls generally begin with recorded messages that include statements like: “There are no problems currently with your account, however it is urgent that you contact us concerning your eligibility for lowering your interest rates to as little as 6 point 9 per cent.” or, “This is our final attempt to reach you since you've not responded to our other calls to discuss your credit card debt.”

The automated message invariably does not include the name of the company, but may claim to be with Card Services or Card Holder Services. Complainants note to BBB that they now believe the calls were designed to deceive them into thinking their credit card company was contacting them.

After the initial recorded message, consumers must dial another number to be connected to a live person. The live “operator” usually starts the sales pitch by asking for the consumer’s credit card number and whether the consumer is interested in lowering their interest rates. From there, callers begin closing the sale, asking if the consumer is willing to pay – usually from $700 to $1,000 - to have their firm contact the credit card company and negotiate lower rates.  

BBB offers the following advice for consumers who receive robocalls from companies offering to lower their interest rate:

• Never give personal information, including Social Security, bank or credit card numbers, over the phone to an unknown telemarketer. Always research the company first by reviewing its Reliability Report at www.bbb.org.

• When considering any company offering any type of financial assistance, insist on getting a contract in which all terms and conditions are clearly explained before signing up or providing credit card or other payment information.

• U.S. consumers can place their home phone number on the federal Do Not Call list by visiting www.donotcall.gov. If the consumer’s number is already on the list but continues to receive telemarketing calls—or is receiving robocalls on a cell phone—he or she can use the same Web site to report the incident to the FTC. Canadian consumers can learn more at www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca.

TIP NUMBER TWO

Countryside Publishing Co., Inc. of FL Targeting MT Small Businesses w/ Calls

Company Has D Rating with BBB

Countryside Publishing Co., Inc.
(813) 925-0195
FAX: (813) 925-0859
477 Commerce Blvd
Oldsmar, FL 34677-2809
www.countrysidepublishing.com

A company in Havre, MT was contacted by a group calling itself “Verification Group,” stating they help small businesses get government jobs.  The business contacted BBB saying they felt the call was questionable. When BBB called the company using the 800# the Havre business collected from the “Verification Group,” Countryside Publishing of FL answered.

This company offers brochures, CDs, and web sites for the building and construction industry. BBB suggests that you approach this offer with caution. 

FULL REPORT HERE:
http://www.bbb.org/west-florida/business-reviews/specialty-advertising-companies/countryside-publishing-co-inc-in-oldsmar-fl-18003320

If you have an unresolved issue concerning this company and its selling tactics, we urge you to file a formal complaint with BBB for resolve.

TIP NUMBER THREE and FOUR (Latest 2 Mystery Shopping Scams)

Scam #1

RECREONICS of KY’s Name Misused in Mystery Shopping Scam
Checks displaying this Company’s Name are Fake (Thanks, Louisville BBB)

A KY swimming pool contractor’s business name is being misused in a latest mystery shopping scam mailing. The mailing includes a fake check displaying the company’s name.

BBB NOTE: Recreonics is not involved with any secret shopper/work at home/ or other enterprise that involves the transfer of funds via wire service.  This is a scam using a check stolen from the company.

Any checks randomly received with Recreonics name claiming to be a mystery shopper or any other type of work at home business offer are counterfeit checks aka worthless.

They should not be cashed or deposited to your bank account. If you receive such a check the BBB recommends that you contact the US Postal Inspection Service in your area. Please do not contact Recreonics, as the company has no involvement in this matter. 

BBB ADVICE 

This case involves stealing the business identity of Recreonics and using the company’s name without authorization in an attempt to steal money from customer’s who receive these bogus checks and can be convinced to wire money to the scammers. 

Never wire money to any person you know nothing about or have not done research on first. 

Scam #2
RESEARCH NOW of CA’s Good Name Being Misused in Mystery Shopping Scam (Thanks Golden Gate BBB)

Another Mystery Shopping Scam is affecting a legitimate company, Research Now of CA. The company advised BBB that their name was being misused to send consumers fraudulent checks. The checks are being sent with a letter asking consumers to be mystery shoppers.

As with Scam #1 above, consumers are also instructed to cash the checks, keep a portion for themselves, then wire the rest via Western Union.

Research Now has informed the BBB that they have no connection to this scam.

TIP NUMBER FIVE

Merchant Auto Pay Service of FL Calling Regional Businesses

Merchant Auto Pay Service
1040 Biscayne Blvd., Suite #2104
Miami, FL 33132
Phone: (877) 200-6093
Fax: (800) 715-2365
http://www.merchantautopay.com

Additional Addresses:
35 NE 40th Street 3rd floor Miami, FL 33137
PO Box 025650 Miami, FL 33102

Hispanic business owners in our region have reported receiving random calls from Spanish-speaking reps claiming to be from “The Insurance Company” (aka Merchant Auto Pay Services).

Complaints to BBB reflect that reps may provide the names of actual insurance companies and/or agents, and that they ask for bank account and other personal information they claim is needed to process insurance payments. This company has an “F” rating with BBB.

BBB ADVICE

Never provide your bank account, social security number or other personal information to someone who asks for it by phone, e-mail or text message. If you believe a call might be legitimate, ask for the caller’s name and contact details then end the conversation.

Call the business directly using the number on your insurance card, statement or in the phone book. If you have provided information in response to a fraudulent phone call, report the information immediately to your bank and place a fraud alert on your credit report.

If you have an unresolved issue with this group, we advise you to file formal complaints with BBB as well as your state Attorney General’s Office. Also, contact your state’s Insurance Commission to report the call and ask for further advice.