Beware of alleged 'church' military help scams

FORT WAYNE-The Better Business Bureau of Northern Indiana regularly issues tips and alerts to area consumers and businesses. Consumers should take into consideration the importance of the practice in question and the total performance of a company.

For complete information, please visit www.bbb.org.

• People United for Christ is soliciting donations via direct mail, television and website in exchange for prayer. The ministry's founder, Peter Popoff, has quite a history. At ministry conventions during the 1980s, Popoff routinely and accurately stated home addresses and illnesses of audience members-a feat he wanted people to believe was due to divine revelations. Actually, aides had gathered the info during earlier conversations with the audience. Popoff simply would listen to these promptings with his in-ear receiver and repeat what he heard back to the crowd. Popoff featured wheelchair-bound audience members who were miraculously healed. It later was shown that these people only pretended they couldn't walk. Popoff now is resuming his faith healing sessions on late night TV. The BBB has challenged this organization's 501c3 IRS charity status.
• The "Puppy Scam" is hitting consumers all across the country. The scamster runs a classified newspaper ad offering a free or inexpensive puppy. Communicating solely through e-mails, the scammer might claim that he or she is affiliated with a religious organization and is being relocated to a foreign country and needs to re-home the puppy. The scamster says he doesn't care about the money; he just wants a good home for his beloved puppy. But, then the shipping fees start to mount and the consumer can lose hundreds of dollars before realizing they've been conned and will never get the puppy.
• The European Union Department of Agricultural Forestry (EUDA) is offering $250 million in grants to farmers and ranchers. Not True! The UN Food Agricultural Organization (FAO) says this is a scam! If anyone receives one of these letters, please fax them to the BBB at (317) 488-2224. The BBB is working with the FAO in the U.S. and their headquarters in Rome. Thanks to the Utah BBB for their continuing investigation.
• The Military Company advertises military medals online. The company offers Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine ribbons and medals. Complaints have been lodged by active and retired service personnel and relatives. Complaints involve non-delivery and lack of response by the company. In addition to the 60 complaints that have been closed, numerous complaints are pending. This Louisville company has the BBB's lowest rating.
• Debt Choice, a California company, claims to provide credit counseling and debt settlement referral services. The actual work might be handled by a third party. Complainants allege misrepresentation about methods used and services offered. Creditors continue to contact the consumer for payment and they were unaware the company was going to retain monthly payments until sufficient funds were accumulated to make settlement offers with debtors. To date, 53 complaints have been filed against this company. The BBB encourages consumers to do business with the good local debt management services, and check them out with the BBB at bbb.org.
• Think A Little Different offers a real estate business opportunity. Consumers allege inability to cancel the sale or service in accordance with the company's refund policy. In addition to the poor grammar, the company has failed to substantiate advertised claims. Dean Graziosi, principal, is also listed as president of MotorMillions. Hoosiers are calling to check it out first. Good for them! Both of these Phoenix companies have the BBB's lowest rating.

This is part of the July 11, 2007 online edition of Frost Illustrated.

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