Story Created:
Mar 17, 2009 at 6:35 AM CST
Story Updated:
Mar 17, 2009 at 6:44 AM CST
(March 17, 2009)
Q –What advice do you have for someone that is buying a used car?
(synopsis) Consumers need to be careful when purchasing a used car…especially from an individual.
The BBB receives numerous complaints concerning used car purchases. A great amount of stress could be avoided with a little planning. Buying a used car can be precarious, especially if buying from an individual. Individuals should follow the laws just like dealers. Unfortunately, not much can be done if they don’t. For example what can you do if an individual failures to tell you that the car has water damage or he rolls back the odometer, both illegal acts. You could go to small claims court. Problem is, if you win, how are you going to collect? It’s not easy. Dealerships on the other hand are a safer bet. They can and do get into considerable trouble for such violations. And legal action against them can be enforced.
One problem we sometimes see is a situation in which the buyer has paid the seller and then cannot get the title. In some cases the car is stolen or the paperwork has been lost. It’s a terrible thing, paying for a car that you cannot register and drive. Best advice; secure the title at the same time as you pay. Also, note the county in which the car was registered. Did that county have recent flood damage? Has the car changed hands several times in a short period of time? Also, make sure to have any prospective used car examined by an independent mechanic. And if you are buying from a dealership please go to bbb.org and check the dealership out. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Q-What is our scheme of the week?
(synopsis) Rebate Processing Scams, a new work-at-home phenomenon.
Rebate processing job offers may claim that people can earn up to a thousand dollars a day without leaving the comfort of their home, but BBB has received hundreds of complaints from victims nationwide who never earned a dime and were, in fact, ripped off for hundreds of dollars in upfront fees.
With the nation’s unemployment rate hitting double digits in some states, more families are desperately searching for ways to bring in income and these rebate processing scams lure them in with promises of big money for little work or no experience. No one ever wants to lose money, but in these hard times, job hunters are getting scammed when they can least afford it.
According to complaints on file and research conducted by the BBB serving Central, Coastal and Southwest Texas, the larger offenders — which have racked up hundreds of complaints from consumers nationwide — operate under such names as Angel Stevens and Cindy Dalton with Web addresses including www.processathome.com and www.rebateprocessorjobs.com. While the names might be different, the scam remains the same.
Victims stated that they paid an upfront fee anywhere from $40 to over $500 for a trial program earning money by processing rebates from home. By representing that the opportunity is affiliated with 11,000 companies including some household names like Hewlett Packard and Home Depot, complainants are deceived into thinking that the offer is legitimate.
Instead of guidance and a starter kit on processing rebates, victims report that they actually received instructions on how to make money by sending e-mails, posting blogs and paying for ads on the Internet in order to sell various products. The products being sold are marketed with a rebate and the victim allegedly makes money by receiving a percentage of sales for any products sold as a result of the ads they placed.
Adding insult to injury, recent complainants state that after paying the initial fee of $359, they find that their credit card or checking account is charged each month thereafter for $59. The charges continue even though the victims cancel and demand refunds.
Complainants allege that they are victims of misleading advertising and demand their money back. A few complainants who decided to try placing Internet ads to earn money became dissatisfied after spending even more money on ads and additional training, but still failed to make the amount advertised.
The marketing language on “rebate processing” Web sites makes the offer sound risk-free and usually advertises a "90 day money back guarantee" or “100% Satisfaction Guarantee,” but complainants state that the companies failed to honor the guarantee. If they respond to requests for refunds at all, it’s usually with an excuse for not making the refund.
