Better Business Bureau cautions of imposter representatives, emails
The Better Business Bureau has been alerted that imposters are going door to door in the Staunton area, claiming affiliation with BBB and requesting money and personal financial information. The company says false emails are also being sent from a fake BBB address requesting verification of a pending review of businesses by the BBB. The company would like to remind businesses and consumers that neither the door-to-door or email activity is legitimate. Here are the full news releases from the BBB:
Con artists are showing up at the doorsteps of local businesses, falsely claiming affiliation with your Better Business Bureau and trying to convince business owners to give them access to personal financial information. Business owners should be aware that these attempts are not legitimate.
The BBB has received a report from the Staunton area indicating that impostors are falsely soliciting BBB Accreditation door-to-door and requesting money in a pushy, aggressive manner.
In addition, the scammers are requesting access to company financial records.
BBB representatives may contact businesses periodically by phone to handle a complaint, update their BBB Business Review or invite select businesses to apply for BBB Accreditation. Do not provide business details or payment information to individuals who show up at your doorstep promising BBB Accreditation.
Businesses are encouraged to verify the BBB representative’s legitimacy by calling (540) 342-3455, (800) 533-5501 or email the BBB at info@roanoke.bbb.org.
Any Business that believes they have been contacted by someone who may be impersonating a representative of the BBB is urged to contact the BBB with information that may aid in this investigation.
BBB is also cautioning businesses and consumers about an email that is purporting to come from BBB. The email appears to come from a fake BBB address (BBBupdate@post.com) in the Atlanta, Georgia metro area and falsely requests verification and validation of BBB Ratings.
The email message reads, “Our data shows a pending rating or review about you or your business. Derogatory/Negative reviews or ratings can impact (sic) you business profile and become permanently visible to customers, clients, vendors, and agencies. CONTACT OUR NOTIFICATION DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY FOR VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION OF THIS ALERT.”
BBB wishes to remind all businesses and consumers that we are not conducting a verification request nor are we issuing emails in response to a pending rating or review about you or your business. “Disregard the message if you receive an email of this type,” said Julie Wheeler, President and CEO of BBB Serving Western VA. “Please report the email and any information received to BBB’s Scam Portal. CBBB’s Legal Department is working to find out who is behind this and will take all appropriate action to protect its trademark.
If you need more information, contact the BBB at (540) 342-3455 or (800) 533-5501. You can also visit the website.
August 19, 2011 - 4:00 PM
Considering the current controversy over the ratings differences the BBB assigned to paying members vs. the nonpaying ones, I think a business owner would be advised to avoid anyone from the BBB, whether official or not.
We may have been contacted by these scammers. The caller was aggressive, and wanted an exorbitant annual fee for membership. I kept asking about the benefits, but could never get an answer. They got our information when we participated in a”Living Social” daily deal.