BBB WEEKLY TIPS YOU CAN TRUST
Compiled by Zan Deery, Communications/Investigations
For the Week of 7/27/09
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
HERITAGE WHO’S WHO A VANITY DIRECTORY OFFER
The Heritage Who's Who Registry
2631 Merrick Rd
Bellmore, NY 11710
BBB had a recent inquiry about the validity of a random email that was sent to them regarding a listing in the Heritage Who’s Who Directory. The following email is being randomly sent to business professionals for the opportunity to be included in a directory. The offer states that there is no fee to sign up.
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Dear XXX,
It is my pleasure to inform you that you are being considered for inclusion into the 2009-2010 Heritage Who's Who Business Leaders and Professionals Honors Edition section of the registry.
The 2009-2010 edition of the registry will include biographies of the world's most accomplished individuals. Recognition of this kind is an honor shared by thousands of executives and professionals throughout the world each year. Inclusion is considered by many as the single highest mark of achievement.
You may access our application form using the following link:
http://www.heritagewhoswhoform.net
Upon final confirmation, you will be listed among other accomplished individuals in the Heritage Who's Who Registry.
For accuracy and publication deadlines, please complete your application form and return it to us within five business days.
There is no cost to be included in the registry.
If you've already received this email from us, there is no need to respond again.
This email serves as our final invitation to potential members who have not yet responded.
On behalf of the Executive Publisher, we wish you continued success.
Sincerely,
Chris Jespersen
Managing Director
The Heritage Who's Who
BBB ADVICE ON VANITY DIRECTORY OFFERS
Vanity offers differ from conventional offers in that they generally offer to award you at your expense, and/or they solicit entries in awards, directories or lists patterned after "Who's Who" Directories, which bear prestigious sounding titles.
Businesses nationwide should question direct email or mail solicitations that offer to include the recipient in an award process or directory. In most cases, no returned solicitation, nominee or entry is turned down. The solicitation may be accompanied by a request for a membership fee (in this case payment for a plaque) or for an order of one or more copies of a directory.
Businesses that deal with vanity offers should recognize that their award may have little or no significance in the marketplace and should realistically expect no more than the self-satisfaction derived from seeing your plaque on the wall, but don’t be surprised when or if someone asks you to substantiate the award and its merits.
The Better Business Bureau routinely encourages caution. Thoroughly evaluate any solicitations as those described and determine if they are truly based on merit or are geared primarily to appeal to your vanity.
TIP NUMBER TWO
FAKE PAYDAY LOAN COLLECTION CALLS FROM SCAMMERS
POSING AS OUT OF BUSINESS NH ATTORNEY
Thanks to the NH BBB for this Warning!
Wherett Law Firm
5 Sheep Davis
Suncook, NH 03275
(603) 513-0817 |
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Here’s a sneaky scenario to watch out for! BBB was made aware of a scam that is abusing the profile of an out of business attorney to attempt false collections (aka theft) of supposed delinquent payday loans.
Callers allege that scammers are contacting them stating they are collecting a debt, many times regarding an advance payday loan. Calls have come in from all over the United States about the company.
When a representative from BBB called the number provided by consumers, the person who answered the phone was vague and raised red flags.
On July 23, 2009, the BBB spoke with Judith Wherett, principal of this company. She informed BBB that the company is no longer operating. It has been confirmed that Wherett Law Firm has become a victim of corporate identity theft.
BBB ADVICE
If you are contacted by someone supposedly from this company, the New Hampshire BBB would like to speak with you. The person contacting you is not operating as a representative from Wherett Law Firm and is contacting you under fraudulent circumstances.
TIP NUMBER THREE
Authorities Charge Scammers with Falsely Promising “Guaranteed” $25,000 Government Grants as Part of the Economic Stimulus Package
Dubbed “Operation Short Change”
Following is an action that businesses, in particular, should be aware of, for several of the companies named in this action have been the focus of warnings and alerts issued by BBBs nationwide over the past year:
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/07/gwi.shtm
BBB ADVICE
Remember—nobody can promise you a grant or loan with a required fee attached. If anybody ever cold calls guaranteeing a grant or loan, think twice about going with the offer if you haven’t yet done your research! There are too many questionable calls being made offering this pitch. Don’t fall for it. Know what it takes to get a grant or loan, understand the ins and outs of it, and confer with outside reliable resources prior to agreeing to services.
TIP NUMBER FOUR
PopCap Games, Inc. of WA’s Good Name Misused in
Sweepstakes Scam
Don’t Believe This Mailing, Check Fake
PopCap Games, Inc.
2401 4th Ave Ste 810
Seattle, WA 98121
BBB received a call from a concerned Montana daughter of an elderly mother reporting a mailing her mother received that contained a $4,000 check. The letter stated she had won a sweepstakes and needed to cash the check and send back money to cover “federal fees.” The mailing required her to Western Union the money to a woman from the IRS with a Canadian address.
This particular mailing supposedly came from PopCap Games, Inc, which is a BBB accredited business in Seattle, WA. PopCap Games, Inc. is in no way affiliated with this scam.
BBB ADVICE
If you ever receive such a mailing, it pays to take the extra step of confirming the information with the official company by contacting them directly to confirm or verify the mailing itself. This means NOT using the information contained within the contents of the letter, but going to an outside, unconnected source like the BBB or the internet or directory service to identify the company’s validity.
TIP NUMBER FIVE
YOUR LOCAL PHONE CARRIER NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR
USBI aka BILLING SERVICES of TX Charges on Bill
Billing Services aka USBI
www.billview.com
BBB has run into a variety of scenarios posted online referring to and/or naming the above mentioned company and its billing activities. This company offers payment services for a variety of digital media, communications providers and eCommerce merchants that go by various different names.
People allege that they see a charge on their phone bill, but when they speak with their phone carrier, the phone carrier states that they are not responsible for the charge placed on your bill and that you must speak with the company directly to address concerns and/or to gain resolve.
FULL REPORT:
If you have an unresolved issue concerning this company, we urge you to file a formal complaint for resolve with BBB Central TX.
http://www.bbb.org/central-texas/business-reviews/billing-service/bsg-clearing-solutions-in-san-antonio-tx-19621
LATEST PHISHING SCAM EXAMPLE: BANK OF AMERICA
Don’t Confirm Info, Click on Any Hyperlinks: Delete, Forget
From: sec.review@bofa.com
Subject: Confirm Your Account Information
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:23:31 +0200
Bank of America Customer using a laptop for Online Banking
Online Banking Alert Remember: Always look for your SiteKey before you enter your passcode during Sign In »
Confirm Your Account Information
_______________________________
Dear Valued Bank of America Customer
IMPORTANT: Your online account information must be confirmed and verified to ensure uninterrupted service.
To enhance the level of service you receive with Bank of America Online Services, we regularly review the online banking accounts. We have issued this warning message to inform you that we have detected a slight error in your account information. This might be due to either of the following reasons:
* A recent change in your personal information ( i.e.change of address).
* Submiting invalid information during the initial sign up process.
* An inability to accurately verify your selected option of payment due to an internal error within our processors.
As a result, we require you to confirm and verify your account information By Clicking Here and completing the confirmation process.
Note
However, failure to confirm and verify your account information will result in temporarily account suspension. Please understand that this is a security measure intended to help protect you and your account. We apologize for any inconvenience.
If you have any question regarding this, please call us at 888-692-5949, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. or simply Sign In to Online Banking and click on "Help".
Thank you for banking at Bank of America. We look forward to serving your financial needs for many years to come.
ONE FOR THE GIPPER!
DON'T GET STUCK IN AN OVERPRICED SNUGGIE
BBB Receives Complaints on Great Fun's Rebate Check
Thanks to WWA, OR and AK BBB for this warning!
DuPont, WA – July 21, 2009 – The Snuggie, a wearable blanket that conjures up coziness and relaxation for most, is now making some consumers uncomfortable with its new rebate program through a company called Great Fun. After purchasing a $20 Snuggie, consumers receive a rebate check for $8.95, which features the following inscription on the back:
"I authorize Great Fun to charge the annual membership fee after my free trial. I agree to a thirty-day trail offer in Great Fun. I understand that the $149.99 annual membership fee will be charged to my credit card on file with Snuggie unless I cancel my membership by calling 1-866-709-4170 before the end of the trial period. My membership will be automatically renewed and I will also be charged every year thereafter at the then-current fee unless I call to cancel for a refund of the unused portion of the current year's fee. By cashing this check I authorize Snuggie to securely transfer my credit card information to Great Fun for enrollment, billing and benefit processing."
By cashing this check, consumers are inadvertently agreeing to these trial membership terms—and if the consumer does not cancel—Great Fun will charge $150 on the credit card used to pay for the Snuggie.
Connecticut's BBB has received more than 3,000 complaints against Great Fun, also known as Affinion Group or Trilegiant: http://www.bbb.org/connecticut/business-reviews/buying-clubs-and-group-purchasing-service/affinion-group-in-norwalk-ct-41001179.
Last year, BBB sent out the following warning about Affinion Group: http://www.bbb.org/us/article/bbb-receives-thousands-of-complaints-on-mysterious-credit-card-charges-us-marketing-company-is-charging-online-shoppers-every-month-without-their-knowledge-5798.
Your BBB recommends the following tips when shopping for infomercial products:
Shop carefully. Before you buy, check out companies at www.bbb.org.
"Free" offers may cost you. When you purchase a product, beware that some companies share or sell your information to cover their costs. Get reassurance that your information will not be redistributed; look up the company's privacy policy or request a written contract before you pay. When buying from an infomercial, consider contacting your credit card company first to create a onetime use number with a limit for the exact cost of your purchase.
Cash checks with caution. Cashing checks from unknown parties could end up costing you more than it's worth. If you didn't work for the money, weren't expecting a check, or don't read the fine print, you could be at risk for inadvertently signing up for an unwanted service—or worse—check fraud or an advance fee scam. The bottom line: Never deposit unsolicited checks from unfamiliar sources.