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Find a Location

CRI Genetics, LLC has 1 locations, listed below.

*This company may be headquartered in or have additional locations in another country. Please click on the country abbreviation in the search box below to change to a different country location.

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    Business ProfileforCRI Genetics, LLC

    DNA Testing
    BBB accredited business

    Additional business information

    Government Actions:
    Government Action: BBB reports on known government actions involving business’ marketplace conduct:
    FTC vs CRI Genetics LLC
    California-based CRI Genetics, LLC (CRI) will pay a $700,000 civil penalty and will be barred from a wide range of deceptive practices to settle charges from the Federal Trade Commission and the California Attorney General that the company deceived users about the accuracy of its DNA reports.


    In a joint complaint filed in federal district, the agencies say that in marketing its DNA-based ancestry and information reports, CRI deceived consumers about the accuracy of its test reports compared with those of other DNA testing companies, falsely claimed to have patented an algorithm for its genetic matching process and used fake reviews and testimonials on its websites. CRI also used “dark patterns” in its online billing process to trick consumers into paying for products they did not want and did not agree to buy, according to the complaint.

    “Today’s action continues the FTC’s crackdown on deceptive reviews, dark patterns, and baseless claims around algorithmic solutions,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “We are proud to partner with California on this important matter and will continue to carefully scrutinize claims around biometric information technologies.”

    This action follows the Commission’s Biometric Policy Statement, which states that unsubstantiated marketing claims relating to the validity, reliability, accuracy, performance, fairness, or efficacy of technologies using biometric information violate the FTC Act.

     CRI, also doing business as OmniPGX, advertises, markets, distributes, and sells DNA test kits and ancestry and health and wellness reports to consumer nationwide. Since at least 2017, CRI has marketed and sold DNA saliva swab test kits on its website, along with reports generated from the kits processed by a third-party laboratory. The reports provide consumers with information about their genetic ancestry, potential health and wellness traits and conditions, and paternity.


    The complaint charges that CRI violated the FTC Act, California’s Unfair Competition Law, Business and Professions Code, and the state’s False Advertising Law, Business and Professions code in several ways. First, CRI allegedly made false claims on its websites and social media that its ancestry reports were more accurate and detailed than other major DNA testing companies, such as Ancestry DNA and 23andMe.


    The agencies say that CRI also misrepresented that its ancestry testing reports would show consumers exactly where their relatives are from and when they were there dating back 50 plus generations, with an accuracy rate of more than 90 percent. The company ran ads featuring a prominent genetic scientist who developed CRI’s algorithm for matching DNA, which it falsely claimed was patented, according to the complaint.


    Further, CRI posted fake reviews from supposedly “satisfied customers” on its websites and falsely claimed they only had a limited supply of the tests to entice consumers to buy them quickly. The company also published star rating reviews comparing CRI’s reports to other companies on the market on what appeared to be independent and unbiased websites, without disclosing that CRI owned the websites, which also provided links to purchase the company’s test kits.


    The complaint states CRI forced consumers to click through a maze of pop-up pages on its websites, falsely promising “special rewards” and then trapped consumers by saying their order “was not complete.” CRI also deceptively told consumers that they would have a chance to review their orders before being charged for them, but instead immediately charged them, forcing consumers to return the unwanted products.


    In addition to paying a $700,000 civil penalty to California, the order will prohibit CRI from making the misrepresentations alleged by the agencies and bars it from misrepresentations made in connection with the advertising, offering for sale, or sale of any DNA information testing product or service. Next, it prohibits CRI from misrepresentations related to endorsements, reviews, and ratings and requires the company to disclose any material connection with social media or other endorsers.


    The order also will prohibit CRI from misrepresenting when product orders are final or complete, when charges will take place, and whether consumers can change the services they choose before being charged. CRI must also disclose the total cost of all products or services to consumers, when they will be charged, and whether they can confirm, edit, or delete products before they are charged.


    In addition, the order will require CRI to obtain consumers’ consent and to describe to consumers how it may share their DNA information. The company will also be required to delete the genetic and other information of those consumers who previously received refunds and requested that their data and other personal information be deleted.
    See all additional business information

    At-a-glance

    Customer Reviews

    2.97/5stars

    Average of 119 Customer Reviews

    Customer Complaints

    168 complaints closed in last 3 years

    32 complaints closed in last 12 months

    BBB Rating & Accreditation

    Accredited Since: 5/26/2021

    Years in Business: 7

    Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating

    Reasons for BBB Rating

    Related Categories

    Business Details

    Location of This Business
    401 Wilshire Blvd Fl 12, Santa Monica, CA 90401-1456
    BBB File Opened:
    6/12/2017
    Years in Business:
    7
    Business Started:
    10/24/2016
    Business Incorporated:
    12/19/2016
    Accredited Since:
    5/26/2021
    Licensing Information:
    This business is in an industry that may require professional licensing, bonding or registration. BBB encourages you to check with the appropriate agency to be certain any requirements are currently being met.
    BBB records show a license number of 201635610305 for this business, issued by Secretary of State-Corporations

    These agencies may include:

    Secretary of State-Corporations

    1500 11th Street

    Sacramento CA 95814

    (916) 653-6814

    https://businesssearch.sos.ca.gov/

    Type of Entity:
    Limited Liability Company (LLC)
    Hours of Operation

    Primary

    M:
    6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
    T:
    6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
    W:
    6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
    Th:
    6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
    F:
    6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
    Sa:
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Su:
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Business Management
    • Serge Satyr, COO
    • Alex Mulyar, CEO
    • Mr. Nathan Lockwood, Chief Marketing Officer
    • Mitch Nhep, Director of Operations
    • Hyzell Fernandez, Customer Service Manager
    Contact Information

    Principal

    • Mitch Nhep, Director of Operations

    Customer Contact

    • Hyzell Fernandez, Customer Service Manager
    Additional Contact Information

    Website Addresses

    Customer Complaints

    168 Customer Complaints

    Need to file a complaint? BBB is here to help. We'll guide you through the process. How BBB Processes Complaints and Reviews

    File a Complaint

    Most Recent Customer Complaint

    07/31/2024

    Complaint Type:
    Product Issues
    Status:
    Resolved
    Ordered Kit from CRI on July 6th. Rather excited , great website. Two weeks go by and while i get e mail from them telling me how to return a kit i haven't got . Write them. Get " Since our last update, the order is still currently in transit" Wrong its hasn't been mailed , good try. 17 days in your warehouse? I asked to cancel my order. I got the standard cut and paste reply you see here on BBB, from them, but they would cancel my order if I didn't want to wait 2 more weeks and get a amazing 25% off. ( on what i dunno) 24th of July, I get "While the shipment and handling fee remains non-refundable, I'll ensure the refund process is as smooth as possible for you" . How they can charge me for shipping and handling of something they haven't mailed is beyond me. So i write back, please refund. again. Send again 2 days later. No reply. no contact .So here we are, 25 days later. I'm out ****** CDN, and I really don't expect it back from this shady company as i still have received no reply since the 26th, my last attempt to contact them, they just went quiet. I hope my tale of woe will convince others NOT to trust ***, I don't know if their shipping and handing department is simply a utter shambles, or they are out of stock, but their "Money Back Guarantee: is non existent . Shop around avoid CRI. Wish I would have read BBB before i got into this mess wont ever trust CRI again. Nor should anyone else.
    Read More

    Customer Reviews

    119 Customer Reviews

    What do you think? Share your review.

    How BBB Processes Complaints and Reviews

    Start a Review

    Most Recent Customer Review

    Karen B

    4 stars

    08/10/2024

    I recently purchased the Ancestry and Health tests, and changed my mind about the purchase for a number of personal reasons. When I contacted their support email address to request the refund, I was relieved at the quick turnaround in all our communications, and within just a few days the refund amount had been reversed and was in my bank account. The entire interaction was honest, thorough, and very personable. I appreciated it very much.************

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