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Where To Complain or Go For Help

Georgia Office Of Consumer Affairs(404) 656-3790
They mediate consumer disputes and can sue for violations of the Georgia Fair Business Practice Act.  Call them for help with disputes involving cars, housing, home repair, repair problems in general, health clubs, multi level marketing, telemarketers and lemon law problems. They also help when a business refuses to adhere to its contract.   

The GA Insurance Commissioner's Office (404) 656-2070
for complaints against firms dealing with insurance matters.

Georgia Real Estate Commission (404) 656-3916

The Security Exchange Commission (404) 842-7600
for complaints against firms dealing in investments and money management i.e. mutual funds, insurance securities based on variable annuities, and other financial transactions.

The GA Secretary of State Securities Division (404) 656-3920
This Georgia agency investigates possible violations of law  and abuses consumer trust. Enforcement actions can result in license revocations, suspensions, fines or other civil  penalties and, in some cases, referrals for criminal prosecution. 

The National Association Of Security Dealers (404) 239-6100
The NASD is an SEC mandated organization with the power to investigate and revoke the licenses of brokers and brokerage firms.  Call this number to file a complaint against an individual broker or brokerage firm doing business in Georgia. See also Investor Protection-Your Rights 

To find out if an individual broker or brokerage firm has been disciplined by NASD state and federal governments, call their toll-free hotline at (800) 289-9999.  They'll also tell you if the firm or broker has lost a lawsuit or had to go to arbitration because of dubious conduct.

The New York Stock Exchange (212) 656-2523
Has the power to discipline member brokers and brokerage firms.

The North American Security Administrators Association 
Call any of the above organizations for their number. This trade organization may be able to put pressure on members who behave unethically.  They also offers a free copy of "The Investor's Bill of Rights" a booklet that shows how   consumers can better protect themselves.  

Information On US & International Companies
Find the company behind the brand name, where they're located, their financial info, their officers, subsidiaries, who they advertise with, what media they use, and more.

Thomas' Food Industry Register can tell a company's name, address and phone number, the products it produces and the government agencies that regulate both the products and the company itself.

Channel 5 Call For Action

Clark Howard Consumer Action Center (404) 892-8227  

See Find Or Background A Business (Consumer-SOS)


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Firms Not Doing Business In Atlanta  

1. CALL THE Better Business Bureaus Located Where The firm does business or write to:
    Council Of The Better Business Bureaus
   (BBB Headquarters)
    845 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022    

 2. Call The Business License Division where the firm does business or where the firm is incorporated (if a corporation). Call The Secretary Of State Corporations Division if the firm ends in "Co.", "Inc." or "Corp."

 3. Contact the State And Superior Courts' County Clerk's Office in each county to find out whether that company has been sued for bad dealings.

4. If applicable, call the Office of the Insurance Commissioner's  and local branch of The Security and Exchange Commission found in your state.  Note that the former is a state agency while the latter is a federal agency.  Both are in the phone book under the state and U.S. government sections.

5. Call The National Association Of Security Dealers (800)289-9999

6. Call The New York Stock Exchange  (212) 656-2523

7. The GA Secretary of State Securities Division (404) 656-3920  

See Find Or Background A Business (Consumer-SOS)


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Dealing With Salesmen/Spotting The Legitimate Offer
Small businesses are prime targets for scams and rip-offs. Always be on the lookout for walk-in salespersons ready with a sales pitch.  Don't assume a salesperson is honest merely because he was referred to you and you were expecting him.  Unless he was sent by a close friend, you should treat him the same way you would a walk-in. 

Never sign an agreement or put money up front until you have verified that the salesperson is legitimate.  A person's identity can be confirmed through a simple background check while he waits in your office.  While the background check is far from fool proof, it should tell you if something's fishy.  Indeed most con men have gaping holes in their stories.  Trust your gut and see if he passes your "smell test".

 Begin with the following:  "I'm sorry. I'd like to see your presentation, but these days we have to be careful with whom we do business with.  I'm sure you understand.  Do you mind if I first get some information about you and your business?  (get him to say yes. Kindly escort him out if he balks).  Great!"

 a.   Get his name, and a business card.

b.   Ask him how long he's been doing business here locally. (If it's been awhile then he should have a business license. See below for details).

c.   Ask for a driver's license and write down the address.  Make sure the name on his license matches the name on his business cards.

d.   If he's part of a larger company get its name and phone number if such is not on his business card.

e.   Verify his identity with his office and/or his parent company (if applicable).  Is your call answered by a real person or by computer voicemail?  The latter could point to a small-fly-by-night operation.  If a person answers, does it sound like you've reached a residence or a business? 

f.   If the firm name ends in "Co.", "Inc." or "Corp." check that it has registered with the Georgia Secretary of State.  All corporations doing business in Georgia must list themselves with this agency.  Even outside corporations or those incorporated in other states are not exempt from these provisions.  This means non-Georgia companies doing business here are still obligated to "qualify" with this agency.

g.   If he works alone or is part of an out of state firm, he or the firm must be registered with the Business Licensing Division in the county where he does business.

h.   Check the BBB for complaints against him and his company.   (Find out the nature of these complaints.) If possible, talk to a BBB operator, not the automated system.  The latter only checks up on telephone numbers which change frequently.

I.   See whether his business is listed in the business white pages. (new firms may have missed the deadline)  While some small firms will not invest the $600 per year for a listing, fly by night operations will almost never make this commitment.  By investing in local advertising, firms show they intend to stay in the area.  Those who advertise in the community have a stake in the community and usually take greater pains to treat customers fairly.  

See Find Or Background A Business (Consumer-SOS)
 

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Things To Watch Out For When Signing Sales Agreements
If you see a sales presentation and are asked to sign and agreement, Make sure to:  

A.   Look out for the word "independent contractor".  Companies often call their agents independent contractors to avoid liability for their mishaps.  Check the sales agreement for disclaimers that distance the company from any wrongdoing caused by their representative. If the company won't vouch for their agent then why should you trust him?  

B.   Be careful when dealing with out of state companies.  Far away firms can be hard to reach when something goes wrong.  They're also less likely to ensure the quality and training of their out of state representatives.   

C.   Read all the fine print.  Contracts often have default provisions which allow the salesman to keep the money you give him.  Watch out for terms like "non-refundable" or "no refunds"  Don't be fooled when the salesperson claims a deposit is required to "keep the offer open" or to show his company that you're "serious".  These lines are just their way of parting you from your money.  And never rely on verbal promises from the salesman without first looking at the contract.  The contract will almost always have a disclaimer which says such promises are void.   If the salesman promises not to cash your check, get him to put his promise in writing.  Otherwise it will be your word against his and the contract will probably support his side of the story.  

See Find Or Background A Business (Consumer-SOS)

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Determining A Legitimate Business Opportunity

1. Listen carefully to sales presentations.  If it sounds too easy then it probably is.  Earning money usually requires hard work.

2. If it's a franchise offer, ask for the disclosure document. Such is required by law and should provide detailed information to help you evaluate the offer.

3. Check out the firm with the agencies listed in Sections A and B above.

4. Get all promises in writing.  Oral promises are probably no good.

5. Talk to current and former owners and employees about their experiences.  Don't rely entirely on a list of references given to you by the firm.  They may be paid to say only good things.

6. Investigate all earnings claims.  Ask for documents that back up these claims.  Ask others who have purchased the offer about earnings.

7. Before buying any offer, get the firm's cancellation and return policy in writing.

8. Hire a lawyer, accountant, financial advisor or other financially savvy person to read disclosure documents and proposed contracts before buying.  

See Find Or Background A Business (Consumer-SOS)

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