Compiled by Zan Deery, Communications/Investigations
9/08/09
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
Job Seekers Beware
COAST TO COAST OFFSHORE of TN a JOB LIST SERVICE ONLY: Can’t Guarantee a Job with a Fishing Crew
Warning Thanks to Knoxville, TN BBB
COAST TO COAST OFFSHORE
(865) 380-0028
(423) 735-0049
2916 Pembroke Place
Maryville, TN 37803
With today's economy consumers are desperate to find jobs so the classified section of the newspaper would be the first place to search for employment.
The BBB has received numerous inquiries on a company in Maryville, TN called Coast to Coast Offshore or CTC owned by Mr. Craft. Ads placed in newspapers claim, “Factory Offshore Seafood Processors $2,200-$5,500 a month Lodging/Meals/No Experience.”
BBB is concerned that these ads mislead job seekers into thinking they are responding to a company looking to hire workers when CTC is merely a Job Listing Service that offers a list of companies operating in the fishing industry. It provides this list for a fee of $65.
Upon investigation, BBB came to find that a number of company names on the list state that they have no affiliation with Coast to Coast Offshore or Mr. Craft, and that Mr. Craft is not authorized to pitch the list using their names.
Contained in the packets are applications that job seekers can use to “apply” for a job with the companies. For an additional fee, Mr. Craft offers to send them on the job seeker’s behalf.
Upon further investigation, BBB came to find that none of the companies on the list accepts applications this way. Companies have stated to BBB that they have made several requests to have their names removed from Mr. Craft’s list. These requests have been ignored.
According to Mr. Duffy, President of Seattle, WA-based fishing company, Golden Shamrock, “We have been in business for over 20 years here at the Fisherman's Terminal in Seattle, Washington, and have grown weary over the years receiving letters from all over the United States requesting jobs, when, in fact, in the fishing business, you MUST be physically present in order to be hired.” Mr. Duffy further states that applications such as the ones in Mr. Craft’s packets are discarded unopened and other companies on the list that he knows do the same.
Mr. Craft disagrees that his ads are misleading, stating that he has “placed many people in jobs.” When BBB asked for a list of people who have been gainfully employed as a result of his product, he states that that type of information is confidential. When asked for a list of companies in the fishing industry that have hired workers as a result of his product, BBB received no response from Mr. Craft.
BBB REPORT HERE:
http://www.bbb.org/knoxville/business-reviews/job-listing-and-advisory-services/coast-to-coast-offshore-in-maryville-tn-8259
TIP NUMBER TWO
BELLA BABY of Bigfork, MT’s Delivery Issues NOT So Beautiful
BELLA BABY
(406) 212-2112
439 Grand Dr # 164
Bigfork, MT 59911-3614
www.bellababycompany.com
This online company offers custom designed and made carrier and car seat covers. It also offers coordinates to go along with their custom products. BBB complaints reflect a pattern concerning delay in delivery of the product ordered, and delayed or no response to inquiries and concerns made by consumers to the business.
If you have an unresolved issue concerning this company, file a formal complaint with your state Attorney General's Office as well as the Federal Trade Commission for delayed deliveries you have not been made aware of while conducting business with this company.
BBB and the FTC offers the following tips, "SELLING ON THE INTERNET: PROMPT DELIVERY RULES," that online Businesses are required to adhere to:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/alerts/alt051.shtm
TIP NUMBER THREE
LATEST PHISHING EMAIL SCAM: Involves Credit Reporting Agency, Experian w/ Subject Line “Instantly View Your Updated Report”
Customers have brought to BBB’s attention a latest twist to a phishing scam that is a bit tricky. People have reported that they are receiving emails in their INBOX with the SUBJECT: “Instantly View Your Updated Report,” meaning supposed updates to your credit report with Experian, one of the top four major credit reporting agencies.
It is coming from an email address: reply-tjfr1zy74n0w@meaningfulaid.net
BBB looked up the web site: www.meaningfulaid.net and notice that the web site is a very limited one that requires a login and password to use. The web site displays the following address: 1720 10th Avenue South, Suite 4/220, Great Falls, MT, 59405. However, when one looks up the domain registration for this web site, it states that the company is located in Bellevue, WA: http://www.networksolutions.com/whois-search/meaningfulaid.net
BBB ADVICE
If you ever receive an email like this, we strongly urge you to: not open it, provide or confirm ANY personal info, or click on any hyperlinks provided. Report the email to whatever entity it is attempting to spoof or use in its SPAM, for instance, report this one to Experian. You are also welcome to forward the suspicious email to BBB for review.
TIP NUMBER FOUR
National Benefit Advisory Association of TX Misleading Potential Customers with Discount Healthcare Card Program
Thanks to Fort Worth, TX BBB for this Warning
National Benefit Advisory Association
(877) 202-7574 and (800) 454-3297 Fax
4704 Hwy. 377 South, Fort Worth, TX 76116
&
PO Box 100877, Fort Worth, TX 76185-0877
People trying to find low-cost health insurance said they were misled by sales agents for the above mentioned company into buying a discount healthcare card program, instead. When paperwork arrived, customers realized they bought discounts on medical services and products at participating locations but not insurance. As required by law, the company’s web site does state: "This plan is NOT a health insurance policy."
If you have an unresolved issue concerning this company and the services it offers, we urge you to file a complaint with your BBB as well as your state’s Department of Health.
BBB TIPS on Discount Medical Plans
With the rising cost of health care and prescription drugs, consumers are looking to discount plans for relief. Many of these discount plans claim to offer savings on prescription drugs, doctor and dental visits, vision care or other medical services. Advertisements – often found on the Internet, through infomercials or in "spam" email – boast that consumers can save up to 30 percent or more on the cost for such services. Generally, the plans indicate there is a network of providers who will discount their charges for plan members.
Consumers who are confused by these plans often believe they are purchasing insurance. Discount plans are not considered health insurance and currently are not regulated in all states. Consumers should review plan materials carefully to be certain the benefits are worth the cost.
The Better Business Bureau suggests you consider several facts about these plans before making a purchasing decision:
1. Discount plans can be sold by anyone at any cost with any benefits. They are not licensed insurance products, even when sold by insurance agents.
2. The protections and rights available to consumers under health insurance plans may not be available to members of a discount plan.
3. Providers in the discount plan's "network" are often bound by contract to participate in the plan and may stop offering the discount at any time (without notice to plan members), depending on the plan.
4. Many plans claim savings up to a certain percent. However, "up to 40%" does not mean a guaranteed 40% savings.
If you are considering enrolling in a discount plan, ask the following questions:
*Is this plan an insurance product in my state?
*What is the annual cost of the plan?
*What are the benefits?
*Do the providers I frequent accept the discount card? Be sure to check with your provider as the information given by the plan could be inaccurate.
*If I have a health insurance plan and the discount plan, will providers I use give me discounts on my co-payments or the balance of my bill after my insurance pays its part?
*Who do I call if I have a problem with the discount plan?
*When receiving services that require immediate payment, is there a way to verify I am actually saving money by having a discount plan?
*Can I cancel my membership at any time?
TIP NUMBER FIVE
Small Business Advice on Fighting Friendly Fraud
Businesses are increasingly becoming victims of “friendly fraud” - fraud carried out by customers to get items free of charge. Better Business Bureau warns small business owners to be on the lookout for friendly fraud and offers advice on how to protect against this growing online threat.
According to the Wall Street Journal, many companies – for example, the travel site Expedia - are currently seeing up to a 50 percent spike in friendly fraud since October 2008. The most common types of friendly fraud involve cases in which a customer falsely claims they:
• Never received an item ordered online;
• Received the wrong item ordered online; or
• Had their credit card stolen and were charged for items they didn’t order
The customer then demands a refund from the business or issues a charge back on their credit card.
When “friendly” fraudsters are unable to coax reimbursements from a business directly, many then issue charge backs to their credit card companies. Creditors will investigate the situation, asking for the business owner’s side of the story before deciding whether or not the business is at fault.
Defending a business against friendly fraud is no easy task, but there are steps to take. BBB offers the following advice to small business owners:
• Verify the buyer’s billing address before sending merchandise. Some retailers require that the billing and shipping address match before fulfilling an order. However, some businesses have found that simply paying for an Address Verification Service, which confirms that the billing address matches the address associated with the credit card, is sufficient.
• Use a shipper that tracks delivery. Some shipping firms provide tracking information and signature confirmation. Such information can help shed light on whether or not the customer really didn’t receive the goods.
• Deactivate or deny access to products. For retailers that do not ship tangible items, but rather items such as downloads or access to sites, a plan for denying access is both prudent and practical.
• Clearly state your return policy on your Web site. This includes any product guarantees, time restrictions, condition requirements or fees—such as for restocking.
• Be prepared to make your case to the credit card company. Staying organized and presenting a solid case—including records of delivery or reimbursement and your return policy—in the face of a chargeback will assist the credit card company, and increase your chances for a favorable resolution.
• Analyze sales records. This can help you identify consumers who charge back items on a regular basis, enabling you to decide whether or not to stop doing business with them.