MOUNT HOREB, Wis. (WMTV) – A local business owner says she lost over $1,000 after falling victim to what she calls a “digital marketing scam.”
Theresa Rowe opened Revelations Barber Shop in Mount Horeb at the end of last year. She said a company by the name of “Web Listings Solution” told her they could help her business gain more exposure in just three months.
“They called me randomly and said we noticed your new business,” Rowe said. “We noticed your profile on Google, and we’d like to help you optimize your listing.”
By optimizing her listing, Rowe said the company promised to make her shop’s name appear at the top of online searches and build up her website presence.
“In a very short period of time, they sweet talked me into this stuff that I knew I needed,” Rowe said.
Rowe then signed a “digital marketing agreement” with the company, agreeing to pay a monthly recurring cost of $199, and an initial “built out” fee for $949.
But after signing the deal, she said no work had been completed, but her original Google listing was suspended, meaning her business no longer shows up at the top of the Google search page where local businesses appear.
“Nothing happened other than they created a dummy, duplicate Google listing for my business which then caused Google to suspend my authentic, original listing,” Rowe said.
When months passed by with no progress made, Rowe said no one returned her phone calls.
“I felt violated,” Rowe said. “I felt very violated. Money is money.”
Because she purchased the services with a credit card, she was able to get her money back through her bank, but the Google listing is still suspended.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) says using a credit card like Rowe and monitoring progress can help you get your money back in a situation like this.
“Any contracts that you sign, keep track of what you have received,” BBB Spokesperson Cinthya Lavin said. “Or, what things look like before, especially for something like website or marketing campaigns that have a before and after.”
Experts say doing your research before signing an agreement is key, particularly if the company reaches out to you first.
“Any calls that you receive, whether it’s your business, phone, your cell phone, any text messages of something that you didn’t sign up for more information for, that can really be a sign that whoever is on the other side of the phone can be a scammer,” Lavin said.
The BBB also said it’s best to research the company you plan to work with, both through their website and through other reputable sources to find customer reviews and testimonials.
WMTV reached out to Web Listings Solution for comment and did not receive a response.
If you have been scammed, the BBB recommends reporting it to their scam tracker online. You should also monitor your credit reports and bank account for unauthorized charges.
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