Business ProfileforWeb Host Agents

https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/19786-bbb-alert-businesses-consumers-report-phony-invoices-for-web-services?bbbid=0121

On April 9, 2019, BBB Serving Metro New York released this alert to the public about Web Host Agents, a company claiming to be located in New York.

Small businesses and consumers have reported to BBB Metro New York that they received solicitations from Web Host Agents that look like invoices for services associated with domain hosting. Most of the companies or organizations that received the solicitation report they have not done business with them and will not be paying the company. However, at least one complaint was received from a firm that says it paid Web Host Agents, but the company did not provide any web hosting services 

“We have monitored instances reported to BBB organizations in multiple states over the last few weeks,” said Claire Rosenzweig, BBB Metro New York President & CEO. “We are sharing this alert so people can take measures to protect themselves against this type of scheme.” 

As of this date, the BBB Business Profile for Web Host Agents notes five unanswered complaints and 10 customer reviews, which share similar stories. In addition, 12 scam reports about this firm’s practices have been submitted by individuals and businesses in California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, Texas, and Wisconsin and are available to the public on the Scam TrackerSM website.

The company failed to respond to BBB Metro New York’s inquiry sent on August 7, 2018 requesting that the business substantiate advertising claims stated on its website. On April 1, 2019, BBB Metro New York contacted Web Host Agents to request its voluntary cooperation in addressing the underlying issues in the identified Pattern of Complaints, and is awaiting a response. As of this date, it has an “F” rating noted on its BBB Business Profile.

To avoid falling victim to a fake invoice scam, BBB Metro New York recommends that businesses:
-Have a solid internal control process for paying invoices. Carefully check invoices against an approved vendor list prior to processing them for payment. 
-Train employees to follow internal processes and never to pay invoices before vetting them and getting authorization to pay. 
-Question any invoice that does not look familiar and does not match your vendor list.
-Check BBB.org to see what has been reported about a company. Helpful BBB alerts about issues such as advertising problems and a pattern of complaints are reported in BBB Business Profiles. In addition, search BBB Scam TrackerSM to report scams and see if others have reported issues about a suspect company.

BBB files indicate a Pattern of Complaints concerning the advertising and billing practices of Web Host Agents. A number of complaints and multiple reports on BBB's Scam Tracker claim that this firm sends out solicitations to small businesses that look like invoices for services of domain hosting - including information about an amount to be paid, a due date, and methods of payment accepted. Most of the companies or organizations who received the solicitation from Web Host Agents say they have not done business with them and will not be paying the company. However, at least one report indicates a firm who filed a complaint has paid Web Host Agents but says the company is not providing any web hosting services. Several complaints filed with BBB against this firm have not been answered.

On 4/01/2019, BBB contacted Web Host Agents to request its voluntary cooperation in addressing the underlying issues in the identified Pattern of Complaints. As of 4/24/2019, the business has not responded to BBB's communications.