Fraud victim advocacy, fraud recoginition and prevention education, and law enforcement support

fraud recognition & prevention education, fraud victim advocacy, law enforcement support

Fraud recognition & prevention education, fraud victim advocacy, law enforcement support

 

Silence is fraud's best friend.  Word of mouth is fraud's worst enemy.  Pass the word!TM

 

 

 

BBB releases latest local scam alerts

(Created: Sunday, May 20, 2007 10:59 AM EDT)

by Cindy Bevington

 

 

 

The Better Business Bureau of Northern Indiana this month issued its latest scam alerts. They are:

    • Foreclosure Assistance Solutions is contacting Hoosiers, claiming the company can keep them out of foreclosure. Consumers have complained about service issues and reported not receiving requested refunds.

    According to the BBB, 230 complaints have been filed against this Florida company, which has the BBB’s lowest rating. The BBB suggests that consumers who need help in saving their homes from foreclosure contact the mortgage and foreclosure helpline at (866) 722-9248.
 
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    • Since house cleaning services can be very popular in Indiana in the month of May, the BBB wants consumers to know that there are 109 house-cleaning companies in the BBB’s database; 13 are Bureau members and meet BBB standards. Three non-members have the BBB’s lowest

rating — to find which ones they are, check the BBB’s database at bbb.org. The BBB advises consumers to get a BBB report on cleaning services before hiring them.



    Also, before you hire the service, make sure the company has check bonding and insurance, and ask if the company performs background checks on its employees. Also ask if the company provides the cleaning supplies or if the supplies need to be supplied by you, the homeowner.

    • Hate Scams Publications operates out of a post office box in Lafayette. The BBB says that the company is advertising in magazines, stating, “Free 240-page guide reveals how to make $1,833 a day with scam reporting. If you hurry, you’ll receive $3,065 in bonuses too!”

    The “huge manual” this company reportedly sells was $197, but is now being sold for $25, with a one-year, 100 percent money back guarantee, the BBB says the ad says. The ad also states, “You do not need a computer.”