For Immediate Release – February 9, 2009 – Better Business Bureau is warning job hunters to beware of opportunities to work from home processing rebates. While the job offer may claim that people can earn up to a thousand dollars a day without leaving the comfort of their home, 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.
An unemployed Lakewood woman who was searching online in an attempt to find work to do from home received an e-mailed offer from Penbrook Productions (www.myrebateprocessor.com). The California company claimed “...you can get paid $15 for each rebate you process” and that their rebate processing program was “…a certified, proven and guaranteed way to make $225 and more every day”. The program was available for $197. Since it came with a money back guarantee, the Lakewood job seeker decided to try it. Instead of being hired to do rebate processing, she only received an instructional packet with information on how to start her own rebate processing company. Not happy with the product, she tried to cash in on the 30-day money back guarantee. Penbrook promised to return her money, but her refund never arrived. After several unsuccessful attempts to reach the company, she filed a complaint with the BBB. Penbrook left her complaint unanswered. The company’s Web site is no longer accessible and it’s phone is answered with a recorded message that “Customer Care” is assisting other people.
BBB has received hundreds of complaints from consumers nationwide about similar rebate processor scams. 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.
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.
With the nation’s unemployment rate expected to hit a 25-year high in early 2009, work-at-home Web sites which promise big money for little or no experience are extremely tempting in the best of times. But now, with so many cash strapped families, they’re especially appealing. In 2008 alone, more than one million people checked with their BBB about the legitimacy of companies that offer work-at-home jobs. Unfortunately, BBB warns that most work-at-home opportunities, such as supposed “rebate processing” jobs, are ultimately scams.
BBB offers the following advice to help job hunters avoid being taken by a work-at-home scam:
- Beware of offers that sound too good to be true including the promise of big bucks for little work or no experience.
- Always check out the company’s BBB Reliability Report for free at www.bbb.org to see if the company has received a passing grade from BBB.
- Never give your credit card or checking account information to an individual or business that promises employment. Legitimate employers never charge fees to prospective employees. Period.
About BBB
BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Businesses that earn BBB accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization’s high standards of ethical business behavior. BBB provides objective advice, free business BBB Reliability ReportsTM and charity BBB Wise Giving ReportsTM, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. To further promote trust, BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses when there is difference in viewpoints. The first BBB was founded in 1912. Today, 125 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring more than four million local and national businesses and charities. Please visit www.bbb.org for more information about BBB.