The Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Central Ontario is warning Canadians to proceed with caution when dealing with the Weight Loss Grants Organization and Dalewood Health & Wellness.
The Weight Loss Grants Organization (WLGO) claims to offer Cost Reimbursement Grants to consumers who lose weight while using a professional company or practitioner. While they say most commercial weight loss companies are eligible, Dalewood Health & Wellness is one of their main accredited service providers.
BBB was prompted to investigate these entities after receiving a number of complaints in 2018 about the services provided by Dalewood. Complainants alleged they were not receiving the services as promised and there was an overall lack of support from Dalewood.
A large number of consumers reported being referred to Dalewood by WLGO even after requesting the names of other providers. Consumers were told the list of eligible service providers was confidential. BBB contacted both WLGO and Dalewood directly for background information and requested they explain their relationship. The companies responded but denied any conflict of interest. At the same time, BBB was provided with a list of alternate accredited service providers by WLGO.
BBB reached out to some of the alternate weight loss providers to discuss their relationship with the WLGO. Several initially reported their relationship was positive although they expressed concerns regarding Dalewood. Our research continued and we found that WLGO and Dalewood were located in the same office. We also found that the current director of WLGO, Lola Snidman Kochman, was involved with the creation of Revverie Inc, which is the legal name of Dalewood. Additionally, the Director of Operations of Dalewood, Mr. George Scodras, was employed by WLGO as an adjudicator.
Over time the nature of the disputes changed and consumers started filing complaints against the WLGO. Grants were being denied for various reasons including fraudulent paperwork, false doctor’s signatures and weighing out of the program too quickly. Many consumers felt the goal posts were constantly being moved and were frustrated at the excuses provided by the WLGO. BBB contacted the alternate service providers a second time and were advised some had cut ties with WLGO after their clients were denied their grants even after following the rules.
Weight Loss Grants Organization has an “F” rating with BBB, the lowest possible grade, based on the volume and pattern of complaints, as well as unresolved complaints. Since July of 2018, WLGO has received 94 complaints (plus 42 pending cases) and 13 negative customer reviews. Of those closed complaints, 51 are unresolved.
Dalewood Health & Wellness has a BBB Rating of “D” with 26 complaints (plus 3 pending cases) and 32 negative customer reviews.
While BBB has cooperated with several media outlets over the past few months and supported their investigations in order alert as many consumers as possible, it has come to our attention that the Weight Loss Grants Organization and Dalewood have begun to operate under several different names:
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Trillium Weight Loss
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Vitality Health Grants
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Subsidian.org
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Oral Aesthetic Advocacy Group
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OAAG Canada Inc.
BBB will continue to update the file for Weight Loss Grants and Dalewood Health & Wellness as more information becomes available.
BBB encourages consumers to always read contracts in their entirety, including any clauses that could affect their legal rights. Remember that grants and rebate programs can be cancelled at any time, so ensure that you can financially afford the contract before signing. As always, BBB suggests consumers check out the reputation of the company online and at BBB.org.