I received the following from Darla Murker, executive director for the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce. She sent it out to her contact list, and I am passing it on to all of you so you can be on guard:
Good afternoon,

One of our members received an email from an organization calling themselves the US Local Business Association, (USLBA) informing them that they’d been selected “for the 2008 Best of Silverdale Award in the Senior Citizens Service.”  It is a Vanity Scam, trying to get you to purchase a plaque after providing them with your contact information.

It falls into the same category as the fake domain registration and fake telephone book ad invoices that you might receive.

While it might seem very flattering to be considered for something like this proposes (at first blush) it’s only a sneaky way to get into your pocket.  Don’t let them fool you.  Besides, the “Best of Central Kitsap” comes your way once a year and I’ll wager our plaques are much better looking and we don’t charge you for them!

The Chamber just wanted you to be aware of the scam.

For your information – the original email and the BBB’s response to questions asked about it follow::

The message comes addressed to “Your Marketing Representative” and reads as follows:

—- Original Message —–

From: Selection Committee

To: XXXXXX (Your Company Name)

Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 12:11 AM

Subject: (Your Company Name) Receives 2008 Best of Silverdale Award

(IMAGE OF AWARD PLAQUE WITH YOUR COMPANY NAME ON THE PLAQUE HERE)

I am pleased to announce that (YOUR COMPANY NAME) has been selected for the 2008 Best of Silverdale Award in the (INSERT YOUR SERVICE HERE) category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA).

In recognition of your achievement, a 2008 Best of Silverdale Award plaque has been designed for display at your place of business. You may arrange to have your award sent directly to (YOUR COMPANY NAME) by following the simple steps on the 2008 Best of Silverdale Award order form.

The USLBA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, USLBA members are asked to identify companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success and overall customer satisfaction in their local market and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Also, a copy of the press release publicizing the selection of (YOUR COMPANY NAME) is posted on the USLBA website. USLBA hereby grants (YOUR COMPANY NAME) a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, distribute, and display this press release in any media formats and through any media channels.

Sincerely,
Ashley Carter
Selection Committee Chairman
U.S. Local Business Association

p.s. The intended recipient of this notification is the Marketing Director for (YOUR COMPANY NAME). If you have received this email in error please forward it to the intended recipient.

If the links are not working in this email please copy and paste the following urls into your browser:
Award Order Form:XXXX
Press Release: XXXXXX

—– End Original Message —–
Here is some information from the Spokane BBB after they were asked about the emails.

The BBB does not have a current report on this company, which means it has not had frequent enough inquiries or a reason to open a file. The red flags that the BBB sees with this organization’s pitch are:

• There is no way to contact this company other than via email.

• Web site domain registration information is privately registered via Go Daddy. We consider this to be a red flag.

• Organization states that you have been awarded, and then presents you with the option of purchasing your own plaque. In order to receive your award you are first required to confirm your company’s information. The web site states:

Receiving Your Award

In recognition of your achievement, a 2008 Best of Ft. Benton Award plaque has been designed for display at your place of business. Simply confirm your business contact information in the form below to receive your award.

• The BBB is unable to find anywhere on this organization’s web site prior to confirming your business profile info how much the plaque will actually cost.

• Before ever agreeing to the award, this organization already has a “News Release” posted to its site stating that you are a recipient of this award.

BBB TIPS ON VANITY AWARD/DIRECTORY OFFERS

Vanity offers differ from conventional offers in that they generally offer to award you at your expense, and/or they solicit entries in awards, directories or lists patterned after “Who’s Who” Directories, which bear prestigious sounding titles.

Businesses nationwide should question direct email or mail solicitations that offer to include the recipient in an award process or directory. In most cases, no returned solicitation, nominee or entry is turned down. The solicitation may be accompanied by a request for a membership fee (in this case payment for a plaque) or for an order of one or more copies of a directory.

Businesses that deal with vanity offers should recognize that their award may have little or no significance in the marketplace and should realistically expect no more than the self-satisfaction derived from seeing your plaque on the wall, but don’t be surprised when or if someone asks you to substantiate the award and its merits.

The Better Business Bureau routinely encourages caution. Thoroughly evaluate any solicitations as those described and determine if they are truly based on merit or are geared primarily to appeal to your vanity.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 at 5:26 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.