Contact: Sue Rogan, 240-777-3722
George Rose, 240-777-3678

For Immediate Release: February 7, 2001

Duncan Announces
Top Ten Consumer Scams for 2000

County Executive Douglas M. Duncan announced today the County's picks for the "Ten Worst Scams" plied on local consumers during 2000. Marking National Consumer Protection Week, the "Worst Scams" were selected from more than 4,300 complaints filed with the County's Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) in the past year.

"When we announced our top ten scams last year, Internet-related complaints were at the top of the list," said Duncan. "This year, our top ten scams include unlicensed car sales and worthless phone cards."

Duncan advised consumers to do business with local companies that have proven track records for customer service and satisfaction. Consumers can receive pre-purchase advice and check the complaint records of businesses in Montgomery County by calling Consumer Affairs at 240-777-3636.

Six of the picks on this year's list involved out-of-state companies offering services ranging from pre-paid phone cards to credit card scams and unlicensed and disreputable tree trimmers. "Consumers run the risk of losing substantial amounts of money when they do business with unfamiliar companies located out-of-state or unlicensed home repair merchants," added Duncan.

Three of the schemes on this year's Top Ten Scams list involved misuse of the mail and have been referred to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

"Before you send away any money or give out your credit card number, check out the company and call them back. Don't give an immediate answer to a sales pitch," said James J. Rowan, Jr., Postal Inspector in Charge of the Washington Metro Division. "If you're suspicious, get in touch with a postal inspector through your nearest post office or by calling 202-636-2300."

The County's picks for the "Ten Worst Scams" include:

1.Michael Ade Ayorinde
9135 Edmonston Terrace, Apt. 202
Greenbelt, MD 20770

The Offer: Mr. Ayorinde represented himself to the consumer as a car dealer and promised to sell a used car "in very good condition" to a Silver Spring woman for $4000.

The Complaint: The merchant sold the consumer a 1994 Nissan Altima that needed major repairs. After the consumer complained to Mr. Ayorinde about the condition of the car, the merchant took the car back, but failed to refund the consumer's money.

The Outcome: DCA's investigation found that the car had been in a severe accident and was not repairable. DCA determined that Mr. Ayorinde was a "curbstoner" who was in the business of selling used cars without a license. The Nissan Altima had been purchased by the merchant at an insurance auction as a non-repairable salvage vehicle, and that the title to the car had been cancelled. The merchant was charged with felony theft, and has agreed to provide a full refund in settlement of the charges.

2.Americall Plus and World Plus Phone Cards
Miami, Florida

The Offer: Save money when making telephone calls: Pre-paid phone card offering fantastic savings for domestic and international long distance calls. The sign on the vending machine claims domestic long distance calls only cost $.02 per minute.

The Complaint: In one case the card did not work at all. In another case the consumer said the sales pitch was misleading because there are many other fees and charges that are not fully disclosed.

The Outcome: The service provider has provided refunds and will provide refunds to any consumers who complain. DCA receives complaints every year about phone cards that either don't work or don't work as advertised.

3.Lawrence Angolia
2711 Bel Pre Road
Silver Spring, MD 20906

The Offer: The merchant told the consumer he could save her money by installing carpet at company cost. The consumer had other estimates to replace the carpeting in her house but thought this sounded like a great way to save some money.

The Complaint: The consumer paid the merchant $1,650 for the carpet but the merchant never delivered any carpet. The consumer tried in vain to get the merchant to honor his promises. Despite repeated telephone calls to the merchant, no carpet was ever received.

The Outcome: As a result of DCA's investigation, Mr. Angolia was arrested on charges of felony theft, convicted, sentenced to 180 days in jail, and ordered to make restitution. The merchant is currently appealing the conviction. The consumer has yet to receive a refund.

4.Triad Discount Buying Service
350 Camino Gardens Blvd., #200
Boca Raton, FL 33432
(Doing business as: "Best Price USA", "Discount USA" and several others)

The Offer: Consumers received advertisements offering "savings on TVs, stereos, VCRs, cameras, camcorders, appliances, china, luggage - even furniture…" plus "two free round trip airline tickets to fabulous places".

The Complaint: Consumers were "automatically" enrolled in this program and their credit cards were charged the initial $96. membership fee when the consumer placed an order for products advertised on TV or when the consumer received a telephone call stating that the consumer was pre-approved for a VISA or MasterCard.

The Outcome: DCA obtained refunds for consumers who had been charged a membership fee. Triad filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy on September 29, 2000.

5. Harry Coulibay Williams
Republic of Cote d'Ivoire

The Offer: A Rockville consumer received a letter from this man claiming to be the "Assistant Area Controller of the Board of Customs and Excise" in the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire. Mr. Williams letter stated that they had excess import duty payments and that they wanted to give the consumer $1,500.000.00 if the consumer would open a bank account in the United States with a $100.00 deposit, and fax the details to Mr. Williams.

The Complaint: The consumer thought this sounded too good to be true and referred the letter to DCA for review.

The Outcome: Every year, DCA receives similarly worded letters with fantastic offers, supposedly from the governments of Nigeria, the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire, and other countries. The Postal Service reports that consumers nationwide have received these fraudulent solicitations and that some consumers have actually been duped out of their money by these scam artists.

6.Capital City Cyberlink
swish@dclink.com

The Offer: The merchant offered unlimited Internet access for only $11.00 per month and enticed consumers to save money by joining their service, rather than signing up with a better known internet service providers.

The Complaint: The Internet service stopped working. The company continued to automatically debit monthly payments from consumers' charge cards and bank accounts, even though consumers had cancelled the service when it stopped working.

The Outcome: When the service shut down, consumers throughout Maryland began complaining to county and state consumer agencies. The Maryland Attorney General's office entered into a Settlement Agreement with the merchant in which refunds are being provided to consumers.

7.Capital Credit
20331 Irvine Avenue E#
Santa Ana Hts., CA 92707

The Offer: A Silver Spring consumer was told that he was pre-approved to receive a "gold card" with a $15,000 credit line and 0% interest for the first year if he paid a $37.00 membership fee.

The Complaint: After the consumer paid the $37.00 membership fee, the consumer then found out that this was not a real VISA or MasterCard account but rather only a credit line for products sold by the merchant. The original solicitation failed to mention that those were the only purchases the card could be used for.

The Outcome: DCA filed a complaint with the California authorities and the U.S. Postal Service. The Mail Fraud Unit of the Postal Service executed a search warrant of the company's office in October, and further action is pending.

8.PDI Clinical Laboratories
30011 Ivy Glen, Dept. 209
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

The Offer: A retired Takoma Park consumer tried to supplement her limited income by responding to a solicitation from the merchant offering her a chance to earn up to $2,300.00 every week stuffing envelopes at home. The offer required the consumer to pay a $42.00 deposit to get started.

The Complaint: The consumer sent her $42.00 deposit but never received the material from the merchant, nor did she receive a refund when she wrote to complain.

The Outcome: DCA was able to obtain a full refund for the consumer. After DCA advised the merchant that Maryland law prohibits requiring a consumer to pay money upfront to participate in a work at home program of this type, the merchant agreed to stop operating in Maryland. DCA also filed the complaint with the Fraud Unit of the U.S. Postal Service. The U.S. Postal Service states that the same individuals run both PDI and Capital Credit.

9.Michael Stringfellow Tree Service
1545 Gough Lane
Amissville, VA 20106

The Offer: An 83 year old man in Silver Spring agreed to pay this merchant $1100 to trim branches and provide other tree services. The merchant promised to provide "Satisfaction Guaranteed."

The Complaint: The merchant did some of the work but failed to complete the job despite being paid in full.

The Outcome: DCA obtained a refund from the merchant. DCA found out that the merchant was not licensed to perform this type of work in Maryland. This matter has been referred to the State of Maryland Department of Natural Resources for further action.

10.UTV Computer Training School
8624 Colesville Road
Silver Spring, MD 20910

The Offer: This school offered computer training programs to individuals who wanted to learn or enhance their computer skills.

The Complaint: After paying $1,625 for the classes, the program did not begin as scheduled allegedly due to a "shortage of instructors." After receiving multiple explanations as to why the instructors were not available, the consumer became suspicious about the schools credentials and requested a full refund.

The Outcome: DCA was able to obtain a charge-back of the $1,625 from the consumer's credit card company, just before the school closed and was evicted by its landlord. DCA found out that the school was not licensed as required by Maryland law. DCA referred this matter to the Maryland Higher Education Commission for further action.

For more information, contact the County's Division of Consumer Affairs at 240-777-3636.

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