BBB Warns of Deceptive Travel-Related Promotions

Better Business Bureaus across the United States and Canada are warning consumers about an increase in deceptive travel-related offers.

Consumers are contacting the BBB to inquire about travel companies that promise "too-good-to-be-true" travel deals. These offers arrive unexpectedly in consumers' mailboxes, or over the telephone, office fax machine or Internet.

Typically, the consumer is told that they have won a "free" trip and must call a number to claim their prize. Or they receive a fax at their place of business promoting an unbelievable vacation deal that looks as if it came through inter-office channels. Others were contacted by someone offering a travel club membership, allegedly worth thousand of dollars.

According to BBB experiences, some bogus promoters have been known to take consumers' money, without providing the travel or trip that was promised. Other promoters advertise rock-bottom prices, but hide certain fees until the deal is sealed. Some promise luxurious accommodations and services, but deliver far less. Still others don't reveal that the deal includes an obligation to sit through a timeshare pitch at the destination. Finally, some promoters guarantee consumers that they can get a full refund if they decide to cancel the trip, but fail to make good on their promise.

"This is the time of year when consumers are planning their spring break and summer vacations. We urge travel planners to verify the reliability of the business that is offering the travel services or accommodations, and obtain in writing all travel package details before you pay any fee, no matter how small," said Bill Moak, President of the Better Business Bureau of Mississippi.

Consumers are encouraged to obtain the names, addresses and telephone numbers for the lodgings, airlines and cruise ships advertised in a vacation promotion.

"Armed with that information, you can check with the BBB or a recognized travel organization to find out whether the business has been the subject of customer complaints. BBBs offer reports on travel-related businesses in both the U.S. and Canada," said Moak.

Fraudulent travel deals can be hard to distinguish from legitimate ones. Their intent is to lure people into buying vacations that they otherwise would not consider.

The BBB recommends that consumers get the details of the promotion in writing, including the refund and cancellation policy, before they send a check or provide credit card number information. If asked to provide a credit card or bank account number for verification or identification, the BBB says to reconsider. This information can be used to make fraudulent charges or debits to the consumer's accounts.

If you are tempted to respond to online travel solicitations, the BBB recommends that you not judge the agency solely by the appearance of its Web site. Online travel scams are increasing in part because it is easy to disguise your identity in cyberspace.

"Don't assume that everyone who contacts you online is who they say they are," said Moak.

BBB, MBJ Announce Integrity Awards Finalists; Awards March 29

Thirteen Mississippi companies have been selected as Finalists for the 5th Annual Mississippi Business Integrity Awards. The winners will be announced at a luncheon at noon March 29 at the Mississippi Telcom Center in downtown Jackson. The awards are being conducted by the Better Business Bureau of Mississippi in partnership with the Mississippi Business Journal, with judging being conducted by the Rotary Club of Madison-Ridgeland.

The winners will have the opportunity to compete for the International Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics. Finalist companies will be inducted into the BBB’s Circle of Honor.

2007 Finalists (in alphabetical order) include: CenterPoint Energy, Ridgeland; Central Appliance Company, Pascagoula; The Citizens Bank, Philadelphia; DNA Services of America, Jackson; Estabrook Toyota Lincoln Mercury, Pascagoula; Health Management Associates, MS Division; Lamia’s Boutique, Madison; Quality Manufacturing Group, Columbia; Shoppingbargains.com, Starkville; Specialty Windows, LLC, Hattiesburg; Tempstaff, Inc., Jackson; Westgate Cleaners, Hattiesburg; and WJTV Television, Jackson.

Two individual awards will also be presented at the event: The Torchbearer Award, recognizing a business leader who has established a record of ethical leadership suitable for others to follow; and the CEO of Integrity, chosen from among current or past finalist or winner companies.

For tickets to the Integrity Awards event, or for more information, call (800) 987-8294 or email operations@bbbms.org.
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BBB Warns that Iraqi Dinar Investment is Creating Concerns and Complaints

The Council of Better Business Bureaus is warning consumers across the United States and Canada to be wary when considering foreign currency investment, particularly alleged investment deals for the Iraqi Dinar.

The Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois has seen a recent spike in consumer complaints focused on Dinar investment. The BBB continues to field an increasing number of complaints from around the world, with many coming from military personnel claiming fraud over Dinar investment deals.

According to BBB Chicago and Northern Illinois President & CEO Steve J. Bernas, “our office has received 77 complaints concerning United World Exchange from consumers in 33 states and eight countries including Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, Canada and Iraq.

United World Exchange, purportedly of Oak Brook, IL, doing business as “US Dinar,” has been selling Iraqi Dinars through their website – www.usdinar.com – on the premise that buying the Dinars could be a great investment if the value of the Iraqi money were to increase.
Potential investors claim to have bought Iraqi Dinars for anywhere between several hundred to several thousand dollars, with the hope that this may possibly be a lucrative investment for them if the value of the Dinars goes up.

Consumers report that United World Exchange/US Dinar is allegedly selling Iraqi currency online and is not providing consumers with what they have purchased, nor are they giving the potential investors their money back.

Bernas went on to say many civilian contractors and soldiers serving in Iraq have also filed complaints with the BBB from abroad and most have reported the same type of experience. He also noted that United World Exchange/US Dinar has stopped responding to the BBB.

A BBB representative visited the supposed Chicagoland location of United World Exchange/US Dinar. However it turns out the address is for a company renting office space. No representative for the United World Exchange/US Dinar was available on site.

“Anyone who trades in foreign currency should be an expert in that vehicle and you are better off participating in the growth of the American economy by investing in a good growth mutual fund,” commented William E. Braun, Jr., CFP(r), Financial Educator/Counselor, Fleet and Family Support Center at Naval Station Great Lakes.

Bernas added, “The alleged investment opportunity is especially concerning because it involves taking advantage of all investors including our men and women who are serving in our military both overseas and in this country.”

Consumers who have purchased Dinars and have not received them are urged to report the issue to the Chicago and Northern Illinois BBB office via their Web site, www.chicago.bbb.org or by calling 312.832.0500.