Compiled by Zan Deery, Communications/Investigations
11/16/09
zan@spokane.bbb.org
800-356-1007 or 509-455-4200
www.bbb.org
Readers of these tips should take into consideration the importance of the practice in question and the total performance of a company.
For complete information and BBB reports, please visit www.bbb.org
TIP NUMBER ONE
THINK NOW: BBB Military Line Offers Tips on Holiday Shipping to Deployed
Holiday mailing deadlines for overseas addresses are already here! And while we’re talking about the holidays, there’s a new version of commissary gift cards for that special commissary shopper on your list.
The US Postal Service (USPS) has issued its annual holiday mailing deadlines for mail going to service members overseas. According to its news release the mailing deadline for items sent via Parcel Post was November 13th.
But there’s still plenty of time to send a package to that “special someone” in time via Space Available Mail (SAM), Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL), Priority Mail and in some cases, Express Mail.
Advice? Read up on size and weight restrictions on the type of mail you’re sending! There’s nothing worse than boxing up your package and waiting in a super-long line at the post office, only to find when you get to the counter that your box is too large or too heavy and the clerk can’t accept it.
The USPS is once again offering an extra $2 discount on Priority Mail large flat-rate boxes going to APOs/FPOs. It also offers free Military Care Kits to help military families mailing packages overseas. The Kits include two Priority Mail “America Supports You” large boxes, four Priority Mail medium flat-rate boxes, six Priority Mail labels, one roll of Priority Mail tape and six customs forms with envelopes. You can order one of the kits by calling 1-800-610-8734 and asking for the Military Care Kit.
Would you like to give a service member or other authorized commissary shopper the gift of groceries this year? You may have heard that the original commissary gift card vendor, CertifiChecks, Inc., went out of business last February. Rather than contract with another vendor, the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) is now directly offering $25 gift vouchers that can be bought at any commissary: at Customer Service, the Cash Office, or any full-service checkout register. These commissary vouchers do not include any service charge, unlike the CertifiChecks gift cards which charged a $4.95 fee. Anyone may buy the new gift vouchers, but they may only be used by those who are authorized to shop at the commissary.
TIP NUMBER TWO
BBB Vancouver Warns: Beware Phony ads for Rental Properties for 2010 Winter Olympics
Thanks to Canwest News Service for this Story
Vancouver Better Business Bureau is warning renters to be aware of scams on Craigslist.
Phony ads for rental properties have been spotted as being listed on “Craigs” aimed at stealing money from unsuspecting renters, the BBB says.
One scam has supposed “landlords" (aka scammers) asking for a deposit via wire transfer, then vanishing without producing any product or service.
In another scam, fraudsters posing as supposed “rental managers” collect upfront fees and even provide pictures and addresses for the homes they are supposedly renting out, completely unknown to the true owners of the property. The would-be renters knock on the doors of the real property only to find the homeowners completely taken aback that their property was listed without their permission or knowledge just as a front for a scam.
Typing the word "Olympics" into the Craigslist search tool reveals more than 1,000 entries in the housing section. Some people with places in areas such as Yaletown are asking for more than $1,000 per night for the entire condo. More stories on the 2010 Winter Games at www.vancouversun.com/Olympics
TIP NUMBER THREE
Online Pharmacy, www.BetterThanMedicare.com of Manitoba, Canada Misusing BBB Logo in Advertising
It has been brought to BBB’s attention that this company is misusing the BBB logo in its advertising in the Tri Cities, SE WA area, specifically in the area’s newspaper.
FULL STORY HERE
http://spokane.bbb.org/article/betterthanmedicarecom-misusing-bbb-logo-in-advertising-13562
TIP NUMBER FOUR
Internet Service Provider SoFast Communications of Great Falls, MT Closes Doors
SoFast Communications
300 2nd Avenue South
Great Falls, MT 59405
406 788-1200
Last week, it was brought to BBB’s attention that the above mentioned company is out of business. Customers report to BBB that they had not had internet service provided by this company for two weeks (in early November), and when they attempted to contact the company, they first received either a busy signal or a recording stating that they were "having technical difficulties."
As of November 13, 2009, customers now report that the company has a message on its voicemail stating they are out of business and that they have not charged their customers since 11/1/09.
The message also states that you can call "Gordo" at 406-788-1200 as he wants to thank his customers. When BBB contacted this number on the 13th, there was a general voicemail that stated, "Sorry I missed your call."
It appears this company is out of business. Its web site is not active, and its official business lines are disconnected.
BBB ADVICE
If you have any unresolved issues concerning this company, we urge you to file a formal complaint with the MT Attorney General's Consumer Protection Unit. If you are billed for services not rendered, dispute the charges ASAP with your credit card.
TIP NUMBER FIVE
Beware of Unauthorized Job Opportunity Postings Abusing the GOOGLE Name to Seem Legitimate
The Better Business Bureau says it has received more than 1,500 complaints about several dozen Web sites that are trading on the Google name to scam people who want to learn about making money from home. Because the sites often use the Google name and prominently display its logo, people often assume they are getting a job with Google when in fact they were getting taken in by yet another work-at-home scheme.
Before signing up for any work-at-home opportunity, the BBB advises job hunters to:
• Review the business’ BBB Reliability Report at bbb.org.
• Beware of any offer that guarantees a lot of money for little effort and no experience.
• Thoroughly read the Web site’s terms and conditions, keeping in mind that a free trial could cost you in the end.
• Be wary of work-at-home offers that use logos from Google, Twitter or other prominent online businesses. The use of those logos doesn’t mean the businesses are affiliated with the offer.
• Research the Web site with Whois.net or a similar site for determining domain name ownership. If the site is anonymous or individually registered, beware.
For more advice on evaluating work-at-home companies and schemes, visit www.bbb.org
ONE FOR THE GIPPER
BBB Calls Suits against Six Auto Service Contract Brokers “Significant Step” For Consumers
Thanks to BBB St. Louis for this Alert
A recent announcement of lawsuits against six Missouri-based auto service contract companies sounds a “new and very clear warning” to the troubled industry, said Better Business Bureau (BBB).
This is a good day for every customer who has been frightened or tricked by misleading solicitations and high-pressure sales tactics into buying insurance coverage that, in many cases, he or she didn’t need. And it is a good day for every consumer who tried to use a service contract to pay for repairs, only to find out he had bought little more than an empty promise.
The MO AG announced suits against National Dealers Warranty, Inc. of St. Peters (also known as StopRepairBills.com); Warranty Activation Headquarters, Inc. of South St. Louis County (Nationwide Automotive Protection); Extended Warranty Corporation, Inc. of St. Peters (Key Protection Group); Dealers Warranty, LLC of St. Charles (MOGI); U. S. Auto Warranty of St. Peters, and Dealer Warranty Services of St. Charles.
The BBB has been working closely with the office since this spring, turning over thousands of complaints to investigators. More than 1,400 complaints have been filed with BBB against the six companies.
The MO AG criticized companies who were involved in what he called an “oil additive scam” in which customers were sent a bottle of fluid with instructions to immediately add it to their vehicle to validate their warranties. Once the fluid was added, however, it nullified their chance for a refund. Some companies have also used misleading letters, postcards and telemarketing techniques. The suits charge the businesses with unfair and deceptive practices violations.
BBB ADVICE
The BBB offers the following tips for dealing with brokers selling extended auto service contracts:
*Never give personal information, including Social Security, bank or credit card numbers, over the phone to an unknown telemarketer.
*When considering an extended service contract or any other type of telephone solicitation, insist on getting a contract that clearly explains all terms and conditions before signing up or providing credit card or other payment information.
*Read your manufacturer’s warranty and contact your dealer or manufacturer to ensure you are not purchasing duplicate coverage.
*Consumers can place their phone number on the state or federal do not call list by visiting www.donotcall.gov. If the consumer is already on the list but continues to receive telemarketing calls, he or she can use the same Web site to report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission.
*Consumers should always check out the company with the BBB at www.bbb.org
FINAL WORD UP
WORLD LINK EDUCATION of Seattle, WA FAILS STUDENTS
BBB Alarms Consumers of Serious Complaints against Local Language School
Students paying thousands of dollars for foreign language study courses and study abroad programs say that World Link Education, Inc. or WLE cashed tuition checks, but discontinued classes without notice.
The Seattle-based language school raised concerns with Better Business Bureau due to reports that it recently ceased operations and failed to provide explanations to its actively enrolled students.
Students in Beijing's Academy of Chinese Language Study staying in International housing complain that they have been kicked out or evicted, due to World Link's failure to pay the landlords. Fearing that the school has closed or the program has been cancelled, outraged complainants allege that they cannot reach the company or obtain a refund. Phone calls aren't going through, e-mail requests are denied or not fulfilled, and WLE has not responded to recent consumers' complaints presented by BBB.
Although their Web site and business licensing is still active, BBB has verified that WLE's publicly reported phone numbers, 800-621-3085 and 206-264-0941, are no longer in service.
BBB ADVICE
We urge you to file formal complaints with the WA State Attorney General at: www.atg.wa.gov as well as the Federal Trade Commission at: www.ftc.gov
BUSINESSES BEWARE
HOLIDAYS COMING, BE HYPERVIGILENT ABOUT FAKE CREDIT CARD ATTEMPTS AGAINST YOUR BUSINESS!
A Western WA business reported to its local law enforcement about an attempt at a credit card/check scam that was conducted via e-mail. BBB wishes to share this scenario to remind you of a potential increase in attempts by scammers to pass fake credit cards by you and/or your staff as the holiday season comes upon us:
The business, a restaurant, was contacted by a person who wanted to know about their ability to host several guests over three consecutive nights later this month.
Several e-mails went back and forth about the details and the menu. When those issues were worked out the scammer presented an implausible story about needing the business to charge his credit card for the meals ($1500.00) and an additional $3500.00 for a car service he was arranging for his guests through a third party.
The scammer asked the business owner to mail a check for the additional money (less the $100.00 offered as a tip for the business owner's kindness) to the supposed third party.
According to the business owner, this is the third time in the last couple of months that this has happened. Fortunately, he did not bite on any of the attempts.
BBB ADVICE
Tips to Protect Your Business from Credit Card Fraud
1. Get all the information related to the credit card. Have the caller provide the name - exactly how it appears on the card - along with the card number, verification number, and expiration date. Also, ask for the complete name and address associated with the account holder.
2. Be wary of orders that use different "bill to" and "ship to" addresses. This could be a sign of fraudulent use.
3. Watch for unusually large next-day delivery orders. Orders larger than the typical size of orders at your business should raise a red flag, as should orders requesting next-day delivery.
Also, pay careful attention when shipping internationally, especially to developing nations.
4. Do everything possible to validate the order prior to shipping. It may be beneficial to have the customer fax copies of both sides of the credit card. It may also be helpful to request a copy of his or her identification.
5. Take immediate steps to reduce damage if fraud is discovered. First, call the police to report the crime. Then call the cardholder's issuing bank.
6. Most importantly, trust your instincts. If the caller does not seem completely confident about the information he or she is supplying, or you do not feel comfortable sending merchandise, don't do it. It might be best to lose an order than to risk giving away merchandise for free.