He does register the businesses with the BBB. Just beware if it is a newer registration. He changes names all the time so its hard to keep up with this guy. It apparent that he will continue to do this until someone stops.
He has also gotten to the point where he will take credit cards, just not Amex or Discover. i have one member of the group who was going to use his credit card.
Scammer Update I was just forwarded some information about this scam which still continues. Apparently some individual who operates by placing newspaper ads and ads on Craigslist with his phone number. One of the numbers is 561-860-6445 and seems to operate out of NJ & FL but has scammed people all over the country. A group is getting together and determined to catch this guy. Same story as Ari describes, they require between $800 and $3000 up front to provide a camera and software and also promise to provide steady referrals... and of course you get nothing.
I have also been told he sounds about 50 years old with a NJ accent, now using the site www.hiaservices.com and has web pages off of www.8home8.com as well. He also runs another scam about providing sports picks. Some names he is using: Elite Home Inventory, Home Inventory America, American Home Inventory .... also has females handle some calls. The websites and names change often.
They also stole the text from our business site to use on their websites.... not happy about that
It is never a good idea to give $ to someone who has only a phone number listed on simplistic one page website with no company name. It is always good to get the company name and see when it was registered in the state of business, also look for membership in the Better Business Bureau.
Keep an eye out for this guy....he is giving our industry a bad name and needs to be stopped!
Ari, Thanks for placing this post. I did hear of one person in Florida who got scammed by this group. I thought it was an isolated case but it appears to be continuing. The info you shared is basically all the same info that an individual passed on to me. They apparently say they are looking for "contractors" in their ads.
They basically ask for the money for equipment purposes and they are supposed to get the clients.... all you have to do is show up for the appointment which never happens of course.
It is always a good idea to check for membership in any professional organizations or the Better Business Bureau before doing business with any company.
It is terrible what these scammers are doing, if we all keep on the lookout perhaps we can get these folks caught!
I have recieved several complaints from people who have answered ads in the newspapers about starting a home inventory business. They claim if you send them anywhere from $750-$1500 they will send you everything you need to get started, schedule training and start to book you clients. They only accept checks or money orders. DO NOT PURCHASE A HOME INVENTORY BUSINESS FROM THEM.
They have used the name Capital Home Inventory. Florida Inventory Specialists, and others. They are usually based somewhere along the east coast of Florida, but advertise in Dallas and New Jersey for sure. They have used the names Rick Miller and Tom McEntrye and also use a female named Erin or Kathy.
Being a police officer I can tell you generally when a company asks you to send in a check or money order only, beware.
Obviously being South Florida Inventory Specialists, Inc. I get a lot of people calling me to find out about this problem.
