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The Better Business Bureau recently
issued a national alert to warn consumers and businesses about
two questionable operations that are falsely using the BBB name
to scam victims.
One business is perpetrating an advance fee loan scam that
targets consumers and businesses with poor credit records. It
has provided as a reference fictitious BBB phone numbers that
are answered by representatives who falsely claim to be with the
Better Business Bureau and provide a positive report on the
business in question.
The other entity, which appears to be a telemarketer, is
contacting local businesses, falsely stating to be from the BBB
and calling about a complaint or to update BBB files. The
telemarketer proceeds to ask questions that have nothing to do
with BBB business and leaves as a contact number 1.800.CALL.BBB.
"Bureaus across the country are reporting calls from victims.
These scammers are falsely using the Better Business Bureau name
to try to gain credibility with potential victims," said Ken
Hunter, president and CEO of the Council of Better Business
Bureaus. "We urge people to double-check with their local BBB
whenever they receive a dubious phone call or see the BBB name
tied to a questionable promotion. We’re easy to find in the
telephone directory or on the web at http://www.bbb.org."
A company called Kirkland Russell and Thomson (KRT), supposedly
located in Houston, advertises loans to individuals and
businesses. KRT representatives claim that the business is a
member of the BBB and suggest that interested customers call
fictitious phone numbers for the "Southwestern Division of the
BBB in Oklahoma City" and the BBB of Metropolitan Houston to
request the company’s BBB report.
"The company is using the BBB name as a shill for its business.
These are not the phone numbers of the BBB's in Oklahoma City
and Houston. And, neither Bureau has issued a satisfactory
report on KRT. The company has produced and is distributing a
fake, glowing BBB reliability report," Hunter warns.
According to complaints to the BBB, KRT tells customers that
they have been approved for a loan and must send a fee for
"insurance." KRT asks that the fee, often about $2,000, be wired
to various addresses in Canada and New York. Consumers are
required to submit personal information, such as Social Security
number, bank account number and pay stubs.
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"People have not received their loan, nor have they had their
money refunded," the BBB in Houston states. Consumers in Texas,
Oklahoma, Florida and other states have been targeted.
BBB staff members have confirmed that there is no business by
the name of Kirkland Russell and Thomas at the company-provided
address in Houston. The Council of Better Business Bureaus sent
a letter to KRT Financial Group regarding BBB trademark
infringement and false advertising; it has not received a
response.
The BBB warns individuals and businesses not to pay in advance
for a loan and to never send personal financial information to
unknown businesses.
BBB members in Arkansas, California, Georgia, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, Texas, Utah, and
Washington have reported that they were contacted by an
individual posing as a BBB employee.
The callers generally claim to be phoning about a BBB complaint
or to "update" BBB files. They attempt to solicit information
that is not normally required in order to conduct business with
or be a member of the BBB. The callers ask for names of various
managers (the head of finance or information technology) and the
number of work stations at that business location. Businesses
have reported that the callers became rude and used threatening
language when questioned about the BBB’s need for such
information or the nature of the complaint.
The callers leave a 1.800.CALL.BBB (225-5222) as their contact
phone number. That phone number, which is NOT owned by the BBB,
is constantly busy. Some businesses report that the caller gave
the name "Dave Sebastian". Other names that have been used are
Claude Ashley and Frank. One caller spoke with a foreign accent.
"Businesses need to be aware that any representatives from the
BBB would clearly identify themselves and leave a working phone
number. We seek the voluntary cooperation of businesses to
resolve disputes and would not hesitate to provide details
concerning a complaint," Hunter said. "If you receive a call
from anyone representing the BBB and are unsure as to their
authenticity, we urge you not to disclose any information and to
contact your local BBB immediately."
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