Above / Better Business Bureau of Chicago has alerted consumers to be critical of mail and e-mails congratulating you on your baby and motherhood. Note samples above and below of mail and coupons being sent. What will the scammers think of next?
According to the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and throughout the nation, a concern about a what is being identified as a gift card scam is growing. Women from across the country, including Northern Illinois, have reported receiving cards from a person identified as “Jenny B” congratulating them on their pregnancy. For most of the women to learn that…is a surprise. The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to be wary of these mailings.
The cards being sent are packed with gift cards for motherhood-related products.
“In some cases coupons are included with the gift cards and they all link back to Mother’s Lounge, LLC, a company based in Pleasant Grove Utah,” stated Naperville resident Steve Bernas, president and CEO of the BBB serving Chicago and Northern Illinois, in his news release.
Elizabeth S. of Genoa, IL called BBB to report what she thought was a scam. She received the card containing the gift cards and coupons on Oct. 23, 2019. She noted that the cards and coupons were valued at $245. She states she has no idea how or why she is on that mailing list. She also noted that she is not pregnant.
Better Business Bureaus discover origins of scams, marketing tactics
The company sends gift cards for their different online businesses. To date, BBB serving Northern Nevada and Utah has found fifteen affiliate businesses, including Thoughtful Gift Cards and Canopy Couture. These gift cards are sent all over the U.S. and Canada in an envelope which appears to have lost its return label, when it never had one in the first place. This seems to be a marketing tactic meant to make the envelope look more like mail from a friend.
Bernas notes, “In past complaints to BBB consumers who have added a gift card to their orders appears to increase the shipping cost. This increase appears to cover the majority of the cost of the gift card.”
BBB requested that the business owner Jeanette Pierce explain the price increase, but received no response.
“These cards are being sent to women all across the U.S. and Canada with a number of complaints coming from the Midwest. Our concern is that consumers in Chicago and across northern Illinois will soon be targets.”
In BBB’s review of over 55 complaints and Scam Tracker reports for Mother’s Lounge, consumers who have purchased from these websites reported receiving lower quality products than expected.
Before purchasing or using gift cards, BBB recommends…
- Read the fine print. Search the card’s packaging and the card itself for any fees, expiration dates, and terms and conditions. Some organizations charge service fees or will limit the gift card to “in store only” purchases, making it useless for online shopping.
- Start with Trust®. It’s important to buy from sources you know and trust. Visit BBB.org to see a business’ BBB Business Profile and find trustworthy BBB Accredited Businesses. Make sure to look up the business at BBB.org to view its rating, complaint history and reviews from past customers.
- Examine the card and packaging for tampering. Make sure the packaging hasn’t been tampered with, and check the back of the card to make sure that the PIN number hasn’t been exposed and no protective stickers have been removed.
To report a scam, go to BBB.org/ScamTracker.
Story and images submitted by Steve Bernas for the Better Business Bureau of Chicago (BBB).
Editor’s Note: Every time news of another scam is received, it’s a reason to remind readers of the wise warning, “If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
Remember! “If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
Story and images submitted by Steve Bernas for the Better Business Bureau of Chicago (BBB).
One more thing… Use the search tool on this website for “Scams.” Sadly, numerous entries featured in Julie Smith’s monthly column, “Focus on Safety” and other BBB stories remind us of ne’er-do-wells who want to cheat via email, phone calls and USPS.
