When you think of Google, you think of one of the biggest internet search engines available. But there are companies using the Google logo, enticing people to work from home. FOX 9 Investigator Tom Lyden shows you why you might want to think twice before signing up.
We rely on that famous colorful Google symbol to help us find just about everything on line.
But these days a trip to the virtual world may take you to sites that entice you to work from home using Google. They say you can make hundreds of dollars.
Sharon Lang saw it. “I’ve been off work for a while. I was very excited because it was Google.”
She signed up immediately. “I wanted to get back into something where I could make some money but now have to go out and deal with the public to do it."
The Better Business Bureau says these so called Google sites are a huge draw to the unemployed because people trust Google.
Dana Badgerow, President and CEO of the BBB of Minnesota and North Dakota says, “There are so many of these internet offers that seem so tantalizing to consumers to citizens who are looking for work.” And they advertise on reputable websites and post testimonials, people holding up big buck paychecks like one featuring a father they say is from Minneapolis who claims to make about fifty five hundred dollars a month. But wait, the FOX 9 Investigators found a site that shows Jerry and his son are from Michigan. And there's Scott from Minneapolis on this website. Funny thing, Scott turns into Mitch on this site.
Badgerow says, “We have no reason to believe that any of the complainants that have talked to us have made a cent from any of these offers."
Lang is a prime example. She says, “I filled out an application, put my name and address and phone number and gave them my ATM number to take $1.97 for the starter kit."
She says she did not get a starter kit but the company debited her account for 69 dollars, a fee that would have been charged every month.
Badgerow says, “It is often true what you receive is either nothing or material that is readily available on the web through free sites.”
The Better Business Bureau says many of the sites trace back to a company in Utah. A company Chris Kendall is familiar with.
She said, “The person who identified himself as David was rude, downright rude.” The company has been around a while and has a history of complaints. Kendall says she did not order anything on line with her debit card, yet the Utah Company billed her back in 2008.
She reported it to the Better Business Bureau.
She said, “I was angry and I didn't want it to happen to other people.”
The BBB in Utah gives the company an F rating because of hundreds of unresolved complaints.
Badgerow says, “One should be very cautious of these things.”
Many complaints likely have something to do with the fine print which does spell out the terms and conditions but you may not see it when you hit the button to sign up. You have to scroll all the way down the page. Badgerow explains, “You have to read the offer very, very carefully including the fine print on every part of the website, not just the introductory offer which looks so appealing.”
Google is not affiliated with these websites, which will charge you a fee every month unless you cancel.
The Better Business Bureau says never use your debit card because it's easier to challenge a charge when you use a credit card. Both women in our report did get their banks to cancel the charges but you might not be so fortunate.
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