Question: My wife received a check in the mail for $5,897.67 from the National Rebate Center for the Energy Rebate Program. But you can’t cash the check, as it has to be redeemed for an Energy Rebate Certificate. It stated there were attempts to contact us on various occasions (not true as far as we know) and this was our last chance to respond. The check had already expired. It seemed to be some type of scam, so my wife went online to investigate. Apparently if one responds, they have to purchase some energy-saving devices to get the rebate. Once payment is made, there is no rebate, and one has a lengthy process in which to receive a refund, which most never do. Can you warn other people?
Answer: The “checks” are too good to be true.
They are not cashable and are simply a lure to set up a how-to-save-energy sales visit to the recipient’s home.
The state Office of Consumer Protection has received numerous inquiries about the supposed rebates, but OCP Executive Director Bruce Kim said all he could say at this point is that his office is investigating.
Hawaii’s Better Business Bureau was also investigating the mailings when we contacted it last week.
On Monday the bureau issued a press release saying it too had received “numerous calls” about the “non-transparent offer making the rounds throughout the Hawaiian Islands.” The BBB described it as “a deceptive solicitation.”
According to the BBB, the letter is from “Federal Credit Union” in Scottsdale, Ariz. Calls to the local phone numbers on the $5,897.67 rebate vouchers are forwarded to a call center in Scottsdale, where representatives say they are with the National Rebate Center/Go Green Energy, representing federal and state tax rebates.
When asked about the rebate voucher, a call center representative “explained that the voucher simply shows the amount one can expect to save through rebates and energy savings,” the BBB said.
“Hawaii residents have reported that when they declined the home assessment appointments, call center representatives asked if they would be interested in a free Caribbean cruise instead.”
The BBB has not been able to verify that the company has any physical presence in Hawaii through state business registration records or general excise tax records, both of which generally are required to operate a business in Hawaii.
The company is associated with a company known as “Travel Union” and “American Travel Deals,” also in Scottsdale. The BBB has given that company an “F” rating in part for failing to answer 45 of 87 complaints.
“Not employing ethical marketing practices may lead to dissatisfied customers, lost business and a loss of trust with the public,” said Gregory D. Dunn, CEO of Hawaii’s BBB. “We find that when an organization behaves ethically, customers develop more positive attitudes about the business, its products and its services.”
Anyone receiving the mailings is advised to contact the BBB — call 536-6956 or go to hawaii.bbb.org — and/or turn the mailing in at your local post office. Complaints can also be filed with OCP — call 587-3222 or go to cca.hawaii.gov/ocp/consumer-complaint.
If you receive unsolicited offers like this, the BBB advises:
>> Ask detailed questions, including whether your information will be shared or sold.
>> Be wary of great deals and low-priced offers.
>> Get all information in writing before you agree to buy.
>> Don’t be pressured into buying.
>> Before you contact any suspicious companies, do your research and check with the BBB.
AUWE
To the male and female who stole branches from my nanten plant, leaving a gaping hole in the front, at my Newtown home between 9 and 10 p.m. June 13. You were overhead talking, and your voices were recognized as being from this neighborhood. Next time you want something, ask, don’t steal. Remember, what goes around comes around. — Anonymous
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Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
