Read below why a phone number or link was removed from this Report
The reason why we have removed links, e-mail address or phone numbers from this report is because people have, in the past, attempted the following, ...all too often.
Posting Links
Many times links to unknown web sites will cause your pc to freeze up and /or cause you to get a computer virus, virtually rendering your computer useless. Most of the time, this is the work of a Company or an Individual who has been reported. Many Government links are no better than the BBB and are just a waste of time, giving you false hope. Many government sites (like the BBB) just collect all information from you, the consumer, but never make that information available, so consumers will NOT be educated as to what exactly they should be looking out for. On the other hand, many government agencies have and do come to the Ripoff Report for information. We have been assisting many government agencies for some time now, including the FBI and Attorney General offices from around the country..
Now that all these Ripoff Reports are out in the open for everyone to see, in a way, this embarrasses these agencies into doing something when they see so many reports on a Company or Individual, because they are now out in the open for all to see. Unfortunately, many (not all) Attorney General Office's and government agencies will not move against a rip-off unless there is going to be some sort of publicity on the rip-off. By reporting your experience on the Ripoff Report, is the next best thing to getting your story on TV or in a newspaper. Most national TV networks and many local TV stations from all around the country come to the Ripoff Report for information they will not get from the BBB, Attorney General office's or any other government agency. Ripoff Report has instigated many local and national stories, resulting in help for victims, in one way or another. Most government agencies will never even bother with rip-offs unless it involves $50,000 or more. Now that the government is cutting back even more dollars for these types of programs, this number will even get higher and we can expect even less to get done, by even less people to work on all these rip-offs.
Lawyers
We have also struggled with the following for a long time.. The reason why we delete phone numbers, ..all too often unscrupulous lawyers or individuals posing as lawyers are collecting victims information to only further victimize them. Many times, well-meaning consumers think they are going to collect names and get them to a lawyer who will do something. In every case we have allowed a consumer victim to do this, nothing has ever came of it. Consumers were under the impression that something will be done to get them help. In every case this did nothing but lead the consumer on, further victimizing them, and some consumers were mad at us. We feel it is our responsibility to check the legitimacy of the lawyer before advertising their service on the Ripoff Report.
We will also not allow lawyers to use this web site for free when they will end up taking a large amount of fees, leaving the victim with very little. There are many competent lawyers out there that know how to get the unscrupulous Companies or Individuals who ripped you off, to pay their fees. Those lawyers capable of this can post their numbers after checking with us here at the Ripoff Report.
Posting Your E-mail Address
For similar reasons as mentioned above, we will not allow individuals to post e-mail addresses, so they can be contacted for more info they claim they cannot post. If that person can contact YOU and get the information, so will everyone else be contacting you anyway, and, if it's good enough for them to receive it by contacting you, then you should be able to post that information for everyone to see and know about. And, many times, in an attempt to get your contact information, consumers will leave an email address; this is just a ploy to sell you a product or some other service. Most likely, you will end up on other junk mail lists. ..if they have something to sell, they should place an advertisement showing support to Ripoff Report.com so we can further help consumers.
ADDITIONAL NOTE ...about our advertisers
As an extra added precaution to our readers, even all our PAID advertisements are checked out to the best of our ability before allowing them to be placed on the Ripoff Report. WE have turned down many advertisers to date. Advertisers on the Ripoff Report know, they are not immune from a Ripoff Report being filed on them. How many times do you see Rip-off companies advertising on TV and in publications when you know there are so many complaints about them!
We welcome your feedback on this subject. Click on the REBUTTAL BOX below and submit a Consumer Comment so everyone can see.
