The Better Business Bureau cautions consumers to watch out for a website that is falsely charging for BBB complaint resolution services.
OnlineBusinessScams.com charges consumers an upfront fee of $1,500 to $2,000 for assistance in collecting money owed from businesses only to forward consumers’ complaints to BBB. BBB has received reports from consumers who received unsolicited phone calls that identified them as being victims of previous scams.
They were then encouraged by the caller to provide personal information and to visit their website to register their complaint.
OnlineBusinessScams.com told one consumer that in order to help him collect money owed from a business he needed to pay 30 per cent of the amount owed.
The site requested half of the 30 per cent upfront, which he paid. After receiving the fee, OnlineBusinessScams.com asked the consumer to provide the details of the dispute so the site could determine whether to handle the “case.” Afterwards, the consumer received an information packet that included an envelope addressed to BBB. OnlineBusinessScams.com told the consumer that they would recover his money within 90 days. It’s now been 90 days and the consumer tried to contact OnlineBusinessScams.com to no avail. BBB offers dispute resolution services to the public at no charge. Consumers never have to pay a third party to receivehelp from the BBB. It’s a key part of our mandate to promote an ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers can trust each other.
To file a complaint against a business, please fill out BBB’s online form or contact your local BBB.