'Best in Fredericksburg' Scheme Targeting Local Businesses, Says BBB

Local business owners beware: an organization called Award Program will flatter you and then try to scam you, according to the Central Virginia Better Business Bureau.

Award Program has reportedly been awarding local businesses a “Best in Fredericksburg” honor, which comes with a “bogus” press release, to use the BBB’s wording, and an offer to sell the business trophies and/or plaques to honor the achievement. However, the achievement isn’t real, rendering the money spent on trophies and plaques unworthy.

Where the false awards become even more dicey is in the way they mislead business owners and consumers in the community.

“Strong, ethical businesses should refrain from publicizing these awards on their websites or on other marketing materials, as they could cause suspicion among consumers,” the BBB said in a news release.

The BBB also offered the following tips to help local business owners avoid this scam:

• Learn everything you can about who is giving you the award. If it isn’t coming from a well-known company chances are they simply want your money.

• If you didn’t apply for an award or the group cannot tell you how you were nominated, chances are the award is not legitimate.

• Most legitimate awards do not come with costs for the recipient; if there is a cost be even more cautious.

• Ask specific questions about how your company was nominated.

• Check BBB Business Reviews by going to bbb.org to see what information is known about the business.

Award Program has reportedly been existence for many years, scamming business owners in a town until it’s discovered, only to then flee to a new town to repeat the process.

Patch file photo