Mount Horeb, Wisconsin (WMTV) – A local business owner says that she lost more than $ 1,000 after being the victim of what she calls a “digital marketing scam”.
Theresa Rowe opened the hairstyle revelations at Mount Horeb at the end of last year. She said that a company named “Web registration solution” told her that she could help her business get more exposure in just three months.
“They called me randomly and said we have noticed your new business,” said Rowe. “We have noticed your profile on Google, and we would like to help you optimize your ad.”
By optimizing its list, Rowe said that the company had promised to show the name of its store at the top of online searches and strengthen its presence on the website.
“In a very short period of time, they let me know about this thing I knew I needed,” said Rowe.
Rowe then signed a “digital marketing agreement” with the company, agreeing to pay a monthly recurring cost of $ 199, and initial “construction” costs for $ 949.
But after having signed the agreement, she said that no work was finished, but her original Google list was suspended, which means that her business does not appear at the top of the Google search page where local businesses appear.
“Nothing has happened other than what they created a dummy and double Google list for my business which then hung Google to suspend my authentic and original list,” said Rowe.
When the months passed without progress, Rowe said that no one had returned his phone calls.
“I felt violated,” said Rowe. “I felt very violated. Money is money. “
Because she bought the services with a credit card, she was able to recover her money via her bank, but the Google list is still suspended.
The Better Business Office (BBB) indicates that using a credit card like Rowe and monitoring progress can help you recover your money in a situation like this.
“All the contracts you sign, keep a trace of what you have received,” said BBB spokesperson Cinthya Lavin. “Or, what things look like before, especially for something like a website or marketing campaigns that have a before and after.”
Experts say that doing your research before signing an agreement is essential, especially if the company contacts you first.
“All the calls you receive, be it your business, the phone, your mobile phone, the text messages of something for which you have not registered for more information, which can really be a sign that the one on the other side of the phone can be a crook,” said Lavin.
The BBB has also said that it is better to search for the company with which you plan to work, both via its website and through other sources deemed to find opinions and testimonies of customers.
WMTV contacted the web registration solution for comments and did not receive an answer.
If you have been scammed, the BBB recommends reporting it to their scam online. You must also monitor your credit reports and bank account for unauthorized costs.
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