Better Business Bureau Hot Topics

INDIANAPOLIS – The following list of Hot Topics issued by the Better Business Bureau is current as of Oct. 3, 2006. Readers should take into consideration the importance of the practice in question and the total performance of a company. For complete information, visit the Better Business Bureau online at www.bbb.org.

AVON

Washington State Attorney General, FTC sue online company

The Washington State Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission have filed suit against Popcorn.net/ Movieland.com/Mediacaster.net/Digital Enterprises. The company’s business is online membership that allows consumers to download movies, video clips, classic TV, news and games. More than 400 complaints have been filed against the company. Lawsuits allege that after the three-day trial period, consumers were inundated with browser pop-ups that appeared at least hourly and subject the consumer to a 40-second payment demand that cannot be closed. Other allegations include taking control of a consumer’s computer, misrepresenting the method to uninstall the software and using threats, harassment and intimidation in billing practices. These cases are pending. An Avon consumer had some of the same problems others throughout the nation are reporting. The California company has the BBB’s lowest rating.

INDIANAPOLIS

DNA Lab work promises job interviews, claims hospital affiliation

DNA Lab Work, an Indianapolis company, is calling consumers who have posted resumés online. A company representative tells the consumer there is a position available for a DNA Forensic Tech at a certain hospital and actually gives the hospital’s name. Consumers agree to pay $300 for a study guide and exam. According to complainants, consumers are told by the company representative that if they pass the test, they will be interviewed by the hospital. Consumers are reporting they have not been called for an interview even though they’ve passed the test. Several consumers have checked with the hospital only to find that the hospital does its own hiring and is not affiliated with DNA Lab Work.

BARGERSVILLE

Johnson County woman alerts BBB of employment misrepresentation

Generation Response is advertising online and in Indiana newspapers with want ads that say, “Get Paid To Shop.” Talentcast.com, part of Generation Response, is offering a bulletin board posting service for people who want to promote themselves to the entertainment industry and job placement services. SurplusSupplier.com and MySurplus.com, also operated by Generation Response, offer business opportunities. Complainants allege misrepresentation of employment offers. A Bargersville resident was thinking about signing up and making some extra money. Fortunately, she called the Better Business Bureau first. Dallas-based Generation Response has the BBB’s lowest rating.

PENDLETON

Residents urged to stay clear of advance-fee-loan scams

Southern Lending is running an ad in American Classifieds stating, “Need cash? We are here to help regardless of credit.” A Pendleton consumer is regretting that she fell for the ad. She wired $75 to a Pat Moran in Texas and shared her checking account number so the loan could be directly deposited into her account. The BBB continues to warn Hoosiers about advance-fee-loan scams for years: don’t send money to get money because it won’t happen.

INDIANAPOLIS

Resident’s tip leads BBB to Florida-based company

Seminole, Fla.-based Travel Agents Go Direct is calling Indiana residents but refusing to reveal its name. Consumers report that the first thing callers say is, “Got your checkbook handy?” When an Indianapolis consumer received one of these calls, he asked for the name of the company. The caller avoided the issue and continually asked to verify his checking account number. When the man refused, the caller finally hung up. The man retrieved the caller’s number from caller ID and contacted the Better Business Bureau. A BBB representative determined that Travel Agents Go Direct was the company responsible for the call. Fifty-three complaints were filed against Travel Agents Go Direct within the past year; most complaints involved the company’s sales practices and billing system.

STATEWIDE

Indianapolis woman victim of ‘Lottery’ scam

Global International Lottery Agency is targeting Hoosiers with a letter that informs them that they have won $550,000. Accompanying the letter is a counterfeit check for $4,875. The company claims that if consumers pay a $2,350 up-front fee that it requires for insurance and processing, they can claim the rest of the prize. An Indianapolis consumer wired payment of $2,350 to the company and was about to buy a plane ticket to Seattle to pick up her “winnings” but decided to call the company to confirm. The company simply hangs up on the consumer whenever she calls.

Chicago company seeking to collect settled, non-existent debts

Merchant’s Credit Guide is leaving messages on Indiana residents’ answering machines, telling them that it is urgent they call “Ken Hughes” as quickly as possible. Complainants allege failure to provide verification of debts owed; attempting to collect debts that have already been paid; attempting to collect non-existent accounts; unauthorized withdrawals; and rude and discourteous treatment from company representatives. More than 560 complaints have been filed against Merchant’s Credit Guide. The Chicago company has the BBB’s lowest rating.

NATIONWIDE

Florida company promises profits after paying up-front fee

Weight Loss Pros is advertising in magazines stating that if consumers sign up to work for them, they’ll be paid $5 for every envelope they stuff. A $40 fee from consumers is required for materials. The Better Business Bureau has received nearly 100 calls to report the Florida company. Consumers have complained that they paid $40 but did not receive the start-up materials. Weight Loss Pros has the BBB’s lowest rating.

Consumers unaware that CASHUNCLAIMED.COM charges monthly service

CashUnclaimed.com is an unclaimed property locator service that claims to list millions of dollars in property, accounts and assets from all 50 states. They solicit by Web site and e-mail. Consumers have stated that they didn’t know they were going to be charged monthly for this service. This California company has the Bureau’s lowest rating. For free information, consumers should visit the Attorney General’s Unclaimed Funds Division online at www.indianaunclaimed.com or call (866) 462-5246.

The mission of the Better Business Bureau is to provide active leadership to the community to promote business integrity and ethics; build consumer confidence in the free enterprise system; and encourage cooperation between business and consumers. The Better Business Bureau of Central Indiana is one of 137 regions in North America that makes up the Council of Better Business Bureaus. Visit the Better Business Bureau online at www.indybbb.org.

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