PublicRecordFinder.com Consumer Alert: Fraudsters Posing as BBB Complaint-Resolution Services Target Scammed Victims
Sunday, August 21st, 2011Bellevue, WA (PRWEB) August 10, 2011
PublicRecordFinder.com, a leading provider of public record search and consumer protection services, is alerting the public of a recent scam involving a website that is fraudulently charging for Better Business Bureau complaint-resolution services. BBB?s across the country are issuing warnings about this scam that is surging across the United States and even areas in Canada.
According to a report from the Denver Post, the operators of this scam are charging consumers an up-front fee ranging from $ 1,500 to $ 18,000 for assistance in collecting money owed from businesses. However, the only service these con-artists provide is forwarding consumers? complaints to the BBB.
The BBB has received reports from consumers who received unsolicited phone calls from callers who identified themselves as victims of previous scams. The caller then goes on to try and solicit personal information from the unsuspecting consumer and encourages them to visit their website to complete an online report of their complaint. Once the consumer registers their complaint through the bogus website, they are contacted by someone claiming to be from the company who talks with them about their complaint and requests an upfront fee in exchange for handling their complaint.
After receiving the fee, the consumer is asked to provide additional details of the dispute so the phony online dispute service can determine whether or not to handle the ?case.? After a determination has been made the consumer is sent an information packet that includes an envelope addressed to BBB and a commitment to the consumer that their money will be recovered in 90 days. Once the 90 days are up and the consumer attempts to contact the company to get their money, they get no response, the money puts towards the fee is gone, and the unfortunate consumer has been scammed for the second time.
PublicRecordFinder.com offers the following tips to avoid becoming a victim of this scam:
????Do not pay a third party for BBB dispute resolution services, the BBB?s dispute-resolution services are available to the public at no charge. For disputes contact the local BBB directly.
????Be suspicious of unsolicited callers and never provide personal information to a stranger over the phone.
????Using caller ID, obtain the 10-digit number of the suspicious calls, then go to PublicRecordFinder.com, enter the number and run a search report to get more information about the individual or business that is calling.
????Always request everything in writing, especially if there is a transaction involved. Once you have documents with company information, run an address report on PublicRecordFinder.com to learn more about the company or individual associated with the address.
????Research companies before doing business with them. Look for complaints on BBB?s website or other consumer complaint forums.
About PublicRecordFinder.com
Public Record Finder indexes various free public records websites to assist people in performing free public record searches and free background checks. Search public records through variety of government and public record links using our innovative cloud based technology. PublicRecordFinder.com continuously looks out for new public records found online and makes every effort to keep our website updated with latest public record information. Visitors to our site can automatically uses tools such as easy to use instant search to access public records nationwide and compare results quickly.
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