Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC (1888PressRelease)
September 20, 2007 - The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Eastern North Carolina advises consumers not to fall prey to scam artists acting as imposters of legitimate agencies. In addition, consumers must also be aware that companies use official-sounding names in order to gain access to money and personal information.
Highlighted in the BBB Consumer Alerts, a company claiming to be the official Division of Monetary Resources states it is an information company. The group sends notices to consumers stating that they are eligible to receive $2 million in funds. Once consumers pay a cash fee, the company only provides information on cash awards and never delivers on funds.
“The Better Business Bureau often receives complaints regarding companies that employ the technique of using a company name that sounds similar to a government agency or well-know provider,” says Beverly Baskin, president and CEO of the BBB of Eastern N.C. “Consumers should always check with the BBB before subscribing to any fee-based program or entering into a business transaction with a company that is unknown to them.”
In another case, Social Security Administration (SSA) imposters have been calling older adults and setting up appointments for representatives to visit the consumers’ homes. During these sessions, the reps explain changes in social security benefits. This is not a method utilized by the real SSA.
“Geiko” Financial and Trust, an advance fee loan scam, is impersonating the well-known insurance company, Geico. While the agency claims to have offices in Annapolis and Indianapolis, when BBB representatives visited them there was no Geiko to be found. In fact, the company’s Web site is registered to an address in Canada.
For more information on legitimate companies and their practices, visit www.bbb.org.
About the BBB of Eastern North Carolina:
The Better Business Bureau of Eastern North Carolina is a 501 (c)(6) not-for-profit corporation serving 33 counties in Eastern North Carolina. The organization is funded primarily by membership dues from more than 3,200 local business and professional firms. The BBB promotes integrity, consumer confidence and business ethics through business self-regulation in the local marketplace. Services provided by the BBB include, reports on companies and charitable organizations, general monitoring of advertising in the marketplace, dispute resolution services, and consumer/business education programs. All services are provided at no cost to the public, with the occasional exception of mediation and arbitration. Visit www.bbb.org.
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