Federal Trade Commission Partnerships Questioned

In many reports we see that the Federal Trade Commission has referenced the Better Business Bureau. It appears that the Federal Trade Commission is using this private business as an example and potential justification of their on-going rule making and regulation in many industry sectors and categories. Some feel that any association with the Better Business Bureau is bothersome in that if they are in constant alliance with the Federal Trade Commission then the Federal Trade Commission, is not watching their potential abuses or manipulations in the free market.

We had done a report approximately three years ago to find out exactly what the Better Business Bureau was all about after a decade or more of what we believed were to be questionable practices as they attempted to interact with our Independent Contractors, Company Owned Units, Franchisees, Customers, Consumers, Business Associates and Chambers of Commerce in which we or our associates were members of.

Here is what we found:

We had found what we believe to be Better Business Bureau Fraudulent Sales Practices. We asked our contacts in the 23 states we have set up franchises in if any other small businesses had a problem with the Better Business Bureau and there sales practices? We have for quite some time. Our franchisees are required to join the local Chambers of Commerce as part of their franchise when one exists in their exclusive territory. But as soon as they do the Better Business Bureau calls up and says;

"We have been getting a lot of calls about your service, but we did not know what to tell those customers who inquired about you with The Better Business Bureau?" Then the pitch goes on? "for about $300 plus dollars you will receive?."

I contacted the Washington D.C. head office of the Better Business Bureau and they denied that any such incident has ever occurred and referred me to the fact that they are a 90-year old organization. Maybe, but as it stands have been and probably still are breaking the law. This has occurred five times in sales calls to me personally from Better Business Bureau representatives.

I feel these sales techniques are fraudulent and disreputable. I am also concerned with the "Boomerang" closing techniques when the Better Business Bureau sales person gets a negative response to join.

"We will not be able to tell the people who call us that you are a reputable company."

Implying that the consumer will assume the opposite, that you are disreputable company. This in itself maybe good for Better Business Bureau sales, but it is an extortion technique. Asking small companies to fork over $300 plus dollars is unnecessary and they will receive little if any benefit for their Better Business Bureau membership. Perhaps the plaque displayed may be of value to customers in a store, but the way in which they attempt to sell it is dishonest. The Federal Trade Commission is hereby on notice that these alliances if gone unchecked mean that the Federal Trade Commission is a clear and present danger to the consumer and accessory to fraudulent sales tactics and misrepresentations.

The Better Business Bureau works closely with the Federal Trade Commission and after contacting the Better Business Bureau to make a complaint about their sales tactics, the gentleman in charge told me I was wrong, and that I did not know what I was talking about and that the Better Business Bureau would never do such a thing? Which is also a falsehood since I have experienced it first hand. When I told them that I might have to contact the Federal Trade Commission in this matter, they said go-ahead knowing their strength in alliance with the government. Knowing that they were considered beyond reproach? So the saying: "Absolute power corrupts, absolutely" again has a home at both the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau in my opinion. Maybe you have a different opinion on this; Do you think something should be done about it?

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.worldthinktank.net/wttbbs

affordable house cleaning Park Ridge ..
In The News:

Holiday shopping scams surge as fake refund emails target distracted consumers during Black Friday and holiday seasons, costing Americans billions annually.
The AI-powered IRMO M1 exoskeleton features four modes, including turbo, eco, training and rest for hiking, running, cycling and sports with eight-hour battery life.
OpenAI announced upgrades for its ChatGPT Images platform on Tuesday, saying the program can now make more precise edits and produce images more quickly.
Chrome for Android now turns web articles into AI-powered podcast conversations. Get hands-free browsing with Google Gemini's natural audio summaries.
LastPass faces $1.6 million fine from U.K. regulators after 2022 data breach exposed 1.6 million users. Password manager failed proper security controls.
Petco disclosed a data breach exposing customer Social Security numbers, financial account details, and driver's license information due to a software error.
Baseball teams can now analyze complete swing mechanics in normal training environments using Theia's markerless AI system that processes standard high-speed footage.
Smart home hacking fears overblown? Expert reveals real cybersecurity risks and simple protection tips to keep your connected devices safe from hackers.
MIT develops needle-free glucose monitor using light technology. Revolutionary device could replace painful finger pricks for diabetes management.
The ClickFix campaign disguises malware as legitimate Windows updates, using steganography to hide shellcode in PNG files and bypass security detection systems.
Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University designed a 21-foot dome that combines aquaculture and hydroponics to create a self-sustaining urban food system.
The Fox News AI Newsletter gives readers the latest AI technology advancements, covering the challenges and opportunities AI presents.
ChatGPT data breach exposes personal info of users through partner Mixpanel. OpenAI confirms names, emails compromised in security incident.
Android rolls out Emergency Live Video for 911 calls, letting dispatchers see real-time scenes during emergencies. Great for holiday travel safety.
Malicious Chrome and Edge extensions collected browsing history, keystrokes and personal data from millions of users before Google and Microsoft removed them.
Google's new Call Reason feature lets Android users mark calls as urgent before dialing, displaying an urgent label to recipients using Phone by Google app.
Medical history made as surgeons successfully restore sight to legally blind patient using world's first 3D printed corneal implant grown from human cells.
Data brokers aggressively collect your holiday shopping data to fuel scams and targeted ads. Learn how to delete your digital profile before 2025 starts.
Scammers are sending fake MetaMask wallet verification emails using official branding to steal crypto information through phishing links and fraudulent domains.
Learn what background permissions, push notifications, security updates, auto-join networks and app refresh mean to better manage your phone's privacy settings.
Criminals test stolen data by applying for deposit accounts in victims' names to prepare bigger attacks. Learn why banks won't share fraud details.
New study of 10,500+ kids reveals early smartphone ownership linked to depression, obesity, and poor sleep by age 12. Earlier phones mean higher risks.
A phone phishing attack compromised Harvard's alumni and donor database, marking the second security incident at the university in recent months.
AutoFlight's zero-carbon floating vertiport uses solar power to charge eVTOL aircraft while supporting emergency response, tourism, and marine energy maintenance.
A new phone return scam targets recent buyers with fake carrier calls. Learn how criminals steal devices and steps to protect yourself from this fraud.

Trains and the Flow of Fuel

Fuel costs seem to rank high in surveys of US... Read More

Time for a New Canadian Party

It is time for a change. A change in philosophy,... Read More

China: Tibet Standoff

The People's Liberation Army of China invaded Tibet in 1949.... Read More

Image is Everything in Redevelopment Projects

Revitalization Downtown projects are all the rage in fact the... Read More

NASA Budget Space Shuttle Thoughts

Regarding the issues with the Space Shuttle and the in... Read More

Arbitrageous Outrageous and Immoral

Back-Dooring the CSIS:The US and Israel have admitted they back-doored... Read More

Anti Government, Pro Democracy

Many Americans feel betrayed by their government, our government. I... Read More

California Attorneys and Politicians

California Attorneys and politicians are to blame for the energy... Read More

Political Lobbying & Biblical Aspects of the Mid-East Crisis

1) IS HAVING A DEMOCRACY MORE EFFECTIVE IN ADDRESSING POLITICAL... Read More

Starbucks Monopoly

Is Starbucks a monopoly? It fits all the definitions. Does... Read More

Lack of Peace, Reaching Critical Mass

You have in front of you two buttons, one is... Read More

Fuel Prices at the Pump: That is not the problem, Natural Gas Prices are high too

The price at the gas pump is certainly on everyone's... Read More

Does America Get It about Terrorism?

I have to be honest. It is time to come... Read More

Water at the Roots of Twenty First Centurys Conflicts

According to a postulate made by Ignacio Ramonet ecological resources... Read More

3D Modeling for Healthy Forests

Forest Vegetation Simulations for Fire Prevention, Healthy Forest and Saving... Read More

Water Conservation, Retention and Better Policies

As the populations expand in Colorado outside of Denver, Las... Read More

Ethanol, Water, Pollution, North Korea and Free Trade

Ethanol is a great way to produce fuel, great fuel... Read More

The Project For A New American Century

Let the reader be reminded, that this document we are... Read More

Are Illegal Mexicans Really Bad for America?

I've been thinking again. I know some of my readers... Read More

Congress Considers National Data Privacy Law

Legislation was introduced into Congress this week that would establish... Read More

Steel Import Tariff Taxes Hurt Industry, Not Help Them

US Steel prices have cost franchisees in my company and... Read More

Intelligent Design - Why are the Intelligent So Afraid of It?

Why are intelligent people so afraid of the idea that... Read More

The Protocols of Sion #1

There is a lot of debate about who made the... Read More

Telemarketing and Job Losses

Telemarketing and DO NOT CALL lists sure made headlines, but... Read More

Arson Neighborhood Mobile Watch Program for Summer Fire Season

Due to the bizarre weather patterns this winter California got... Read More

affordable house cleaning Mundelein ..