Compiled by Zan Deery, Communications/Investigations
6/29/09
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
Lens.com BBB Report Reflects Delivery Issues
Lens.com aka Justlens.com
(800) 516-5367
PO Box 366
Louisiana, MO 63353-0366
This online contact lens retailer has accumulated complaints that allege that contacts ordered were not received or that there were unexpected delays of the shipment of orders, and that the customer service representatives for the company do not address these delivery concerns. This company has the BBB’s lowest rating of F.
BBB ADVICE
If you have an unresolved issue concerning this company, file formal complaints with the BBB as well as with your state Attorney General’s Office.
TIP NUMBER TWO
LATEST SWEEPSTAKES SCAMS
#1
Alliance Financial Group 877-435-8063, John Philip Uses Misleading BBB Email betterbusiness_bureau@yahoo.com to Fake Legitimacy
This latest sweepstakes scam mails you a letter stating you have won along with a fake check. Tip offs to rip off?
a) Using a fake BBB email address to look legitimate
b) Mailing comes displaying Canadian post
c) Mailing pushes for secrecy, and states: “Keep this letter at home away from public.”
d) In order to get your winnings, you have to pay taxes upfront. When you win, you needn’t pay anything upfront.
e) Mailing has spelling errors and misuse of English language.
#2
DAIMLER LOTTO PRIZE, INC. of Ontario
1562 South Terraces, Niagara Falls, Ontario
514-571-3108
As with scam #1, this group sends you a fake check and requires you to pay taxes upfront before receiving your winnings. It is also directly linked to Canada. Don’t believe it. This, too, is a scam.
TIP NUMBER THREE
JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL ONLINE of Nogales, AZ
Has F Rating, Uses Box Drop Only
JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL ONLINE
441 N Grand Ave STE 4-32
Nogales, AZ 85621-2795
www.jeffersonhighschoolonline.com
(888) 408-6352
A regional teen contacted BBB to inquire about a GED online program that was suggested to her by a friend. The web site states: “Take the Online Test, Pass it and Have This Diploma in Your Hands in Just a Few Days for Only $199.” You can take a preliminary test, but you must be 18 or older to proceed further and actually take the test. Taking the test requires you to set up an account, and share personal info.
The CONTACT US section gives an email only for communicating with this group. To find information on where the group is actually located, you must go to the Privacy Policy section of the web site. The following is posted there: “jeffersonhighschoolonline.com. MMDS Ltd offers this program via an interactive online testing platform to prospective global customers. MMDS Ltd, a St. Kitts based company, provides its service to the global community, and although has a presence in Mexico, provides a USA return address in Nogales Arizona to better service its USA customers.”
BBB ADVICE
There are enough red flags to be concerned about regarding this offer. Read ALL terms and conditions, privacy policies and guarantees for such offers. This offer does have a specific money back guarantee that must be followed in order for you to receive a partial refund.
BBB is unable to ascertain proper accreditation for this out of country group. Check to make certain that any online degree program you may engage in is legitimate PRIOR to sharing personal info. Make certain that it is properly accredited to offer degrees, or your degree could end up being bogus and worthless to any future employer.
The BBB along with the FTC offers Online Diploma Tips at: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/resources/bus65.shtm
If you have fallen victim to a diploma mill, we encourage you to file a formal complaint with the FTC, and to also file a police report regarding the activity for your records in case your personal information is compromised.
TIP NUMBER FOUR
SCAM CALL USING FTC’S GOOD NAME CIRCULATING:
Caller says she is an “FTC Agent”
BBB is receiving an increase in inquiries from people reporting questionable if not downright scam calls. Many consumers report that the callers are vague about who they are and what they are calling about. All we know for sure is they are attempting to gain personal information for deceptive if not fraudulent purposes. This scenario is not new, but twists are constantly added to such calls to make them harder to discern.
BBB received a call from a woman in North ID last week who relayed to us that she received a letter a couple months ago saying she had “won” (RED FLAG #1) money from the FTC and she needed to contact them.
At the time, she ignored it.
Recently, she received a call from an “FTC Agent” stating they had not heard from her and wanted to make sure she would receive her “funds.” The caller informed her that she needed to send $900+ dollars for fees including delivery by private courier. (RED FLAG #2)
The “agent” gave a number of 202-629-9826 for her to call back.
BBB ADVICE
The FTC is a government agency that does not hold contest or sweepstakes offers. It does not randomly deliver by private courier, either. They also do not charge citizens for the processing and delivery of any monies. If you win something, it should be FREE, with no upfront fee attached. If you ever receive a supposed call from the FTC, you can always double check on validity by contacting the official FTC directly.
TIP NUMBER FIVE
GOOGLE TREASURE CHEST.COM of UT Not Clarifying Monthly Membership Enrollment
Google Treasure Chest.com
Red Vista LLC
Safelock ID
(888) 256-1248
837 East 9400 South # 233 PMB
Sandy, UT 84094
Consumers state that they have found out about this offer via online advertising. BBB complaints reflect that this online work from home business opportunity promised inflated earnings for conducting specialized Google and Yahoo Internet searches. Complaints also reflect that the company failed to clearly inform them that they have been enrolled in monthly memberships and had only seven days to cancel their trial membership.
Customers who failed to cancel within seven days were automatically charged $82 on their credit card statements each month. In addition to the unexpected credit card charges, customer complaints also indicate that GoogleMoneyTree failed to actually send the "free kit" and refused to honor customer refunds.
FULL REPORT HERE: www.utah.bbb.org
BBB ADVICE
BBB suggests that if you have an unresolved issue concerning this company that you file formal complaints with your state Attorney General’s Office as well as your BBB at: www.bbb.org