(May 6, 2008)

Main topic: BBB Reactivates Ad Review Program

Scheme of the week: Beware of job schemes in which you are asked to pay an up front fee.

The BBB was originally formed in 1912 by business to monitor the truthfulness of advertising. That mission has not changed.

Due to our new Branding initiative and its requirements for increased vigilance in monitoring the marketplace, your Bureau is increasing its ad review activities. The BBB is considered by government agencies and legislative bodies as the leading authority on self-regulation of advertising ethics. The Bureau’s activities will include increased monitoring of advertisements and the reactivation of its Local Advertising Review Committee. The Review Committee is a joint venture of the BBB and the American Advertising Federation-Corpus Christi Chapter. The committee is designed to hear appeals from businesses that disagree with BBB staff decisions on advertising. The committee may also issue ‘white paper’ opinions on advertising standards.

What are the benefits of ad review?

Ad review stops complaints before they start.
It helps business compete in a level environment (fair competition).
It helps media meet their responsibility to their readers or viewers.

The four functions of ad review are:

Identifying possible advertising problems.
Communicating problems to advertisers.
Providing a process to resolve cases where the BBB and the company cannot agree.
Informing business and the public about advertising self-regulation.

Ad Review IS NOT:

A means for businesses to “go after” their competitors

An attempt to enforce laws

A vehicle to monitor morals or taste.

Q - What’s our scheme of the week?

A- Beware of job offers in which you are asked to pay an up front fee.

According to customer reports, a company by the name of National Commercial Cleaning of Houston has charged advance fees from prospective employees for alleged background checks. Once applicants have completed the background check they are asked to obtain a DBA and bonding documents. Customers report that when a refund is requested the company states that a refund will take up to three months.

For job seekers, the BBB advises caution with any offer for employment where the applicant is asked to pay up front. This could be a sign that the offer is for an independent contractor, not an employee. The BBB does not handle employee complaints; however, the BBB does take complaints on misleading advertising, including Help Wanted advertising.