Shady business practices

[Kit-Ginevra]

Are debt collectors not allowed to pursue the undead then? This could be a way out of debts!

[Jay 2K Winger]

Are debt collectors not allowed to pursue the undead then? This could be a way out of debts!

Hotblack Desiato did spend a year dead for tax purposes....

[April]

I contacted the attorney general office yesterday. No response from the company yet. I will keep moving forward

[April]

Well, nothing much from the attorney general's office

State of Colorado
Department Of Law
Office of the Attorney General

RE: Tri Star Event Photo Inc

Dear April XXXX:

Thank you for contacting our office with your concerns as we are in receipt of your consumer complaint. Fraud reports enable our office to identify and devote our limited resources to cases supported by law involving widespread harm to Colorado consumers and the associated business environment. Information from the public contributes to potential investigations and may lead to possible legal action taken on behalf of the State of Colorado.

Although we cannot take direct action to resolve your concerns, we will keep the information obtained from your complaint as part of our ongoing efforts to identify businesses that may engage in patterns of deceptive practices in Colorado. While the Colorado Attorney General is chief legal counsel to state government and is responsible for protecting the public interest, the Attorney General is not authorized to serve as legal counsel or advisor to individual citizens and is prohibited in providing legal advice, interpretation, or counsel to private citizens.

Should you desire a legal opinion relating to your specific situation, we recommend contacting a private attorney or one of the services that provide legal assistance through the local bar association and/or other entities. Additional resources may be available on our website at www.stopfraudcolorado.gov/resource-guide.

We appreciate the time and effort you took in bringing your concerns to our attention. Information from the public is vital in helping us properly document trends, pursue investigations, and ultimately file lawsuits in behalf of the public.

Sincerely,

Consumer Fraud Specialist
Consumer Protection Section

[eltf177]

Boy, that's not very encouraging. You would think the State Attorney's Office would at least look into something like this...

[April]

Maybe I'll file again, but in California instead of my own state. I did just file with the BBB

[Kit-Ginevra]

Just a thought-I assume California has some sort of Department for Education.Given the many complaints that this outfit had received-could they put them on some sort of blacklist?If none of the California schools booked them,they would find business would be damaged surely.

[MamaMootz]

April, if there is also a way to do so, can you complain to the school that brought in that company? Perhaps next year they will look at other vendors if they get enough parent complaints.

Do you think that if you reported this to a local TV station (I think its was KOAA/KRDO in Colorado Springs, if I recall correctly from my time living in CO) they would pick up the story? A kind of TV consumer advocate feature type thing?

[mathnerd]

I'd send them a cease and desist letter and then contest the debt with the three major credit reporting agencies. Since a minor can't legally enter into a contract, it's an invalid debt. I wouldn't be nasty, but I would be firm. Your original letter is polite, but too wishy-washy. State facts: This is an invalid debts on account of the alleged debtor being a minor and unable to enter into a legally binding contract. That's really the end of the story, even if you did keep the pictures. It's not your fault the company tried to scam you.

[Ironclad Alibi]

Maybe I'll file again, but in California instead of my own state. I did just file with the BBB

Is the company in another state? File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. In your complaint say you are "petitioning" them to investigate the fraudulent practices of the company. And file the same letter with your representative and both senators. At both the state and federal levels. Even if they're not in another state, file the complaints anyway.

P.S. "Petitioning" is a magic word. Be sure to use it.

[April]

Is the company in another state? File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. In your complaint say you are "petitioning" them to investigate the fraudulent practices of the company. And file the same letter with your representative and both senators. At both the state and federal levels. Even if they're not in another state, file the complaints anyway.

P.S. "Petitioning" is a magic word. Be sure to use it.

I went to the FTC, who redirected me to the Consumer Financial protection Bureau. I emailed them, and stated I was petitioning them to look into fraudulent debt collection since this is a minor. Still haven't heard back from the company. By now, the BBB should have contacted them, and the CFPB should be shortly.

[eltf177]

Excellent update, please keep us informed!

[EricKei]

eltf - On the Attorney General, unless I misread, it seems that it's more that they CAN'T originate an investigation more than "won't." At least they were able to point April in the right direction ~_~

[April]

no real updates yet

We usually can quickly send complaints to the company for a response. Sometimes it takes longer to correctly identify and register the company. We’re still working to register the company you identified.



If we need more information to continue our work, or if we are unable to send your complaint to the company, we will let you know.



Can I hire my own lawyer to look into this?



Yes. While we can’t give legal advice or represent individuals in legal matters, if you want more help you can contact a private attorney or your local legal aid office for free or low-cost legal resources at www.lsc.gov.



Questions?



If you have questions about consumer financial products or services, visit “Ask CFPB” at consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb.




Thank you,
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau consumerfinance.gov (855) 411-CFPB (2372)

[April]

another non-update

Dear April :

This message is in regard to your complaint submitted on 7/8/2016 against Tri Star Event Photo Inc. Your complaint was assigned ID XXXX.

Thank you for choosing the Better Business Bureau to aid in the resolution of your dispute with the above named company. On this date, we have forwarded a copy of your complaint to the company for their response. Once we receive a written response from the company, it will be forwarded to you. If you resolve your dispute with the business, please notify us immediately, as the company may have responded to you directly. Please note that the BBB cannot compel a company to respond. However, we will attempt twice in a 4 week period to obtain a written response from the company.

Please note that response times may vary, depending upon how quickly the company responds. We will keep you updated on the status of your complaint by email or mail within the next 2 weeks.



Want to know More? Click Here




The text of your complaint may be publicly posted on BBBs web site (BBB reserves the right to not post in accordance with BBB policy). Please do not include any personally identifiable information when contacting us regarding this dispute. By submitting your complaint, you are representing that it is a truthful account of your experience with the business. BBB may edit your complaint to protect privacy rights and to remove inappropriate language.



Thank you for using the free services of the BBB.



Regards,

Sa'eed Stikeleather
The Better Business Bureau

The company has not responded to either of my emails. they should be getting emails from a few different agencies in the next week or so. You guys have been super helpful will all the ideas that I would have never thought of.