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Health & Fitness

Medical Providers Across the Country Hit with Phony Invoices

Clearwater, FL – November 12, 2013 – The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning medical providers about a phony invoice scam that has been sweeping the country. Doctors and medical providers have been filing complaints with BBB regarding MedicineContact.com, a purported online directory that has been sending them invoices for unauthorized website advertising.

BBB received its first complaint against MedicineContact.com on October 24, 2013. Since then, 48 complaints have been filed, and more than 400 people have checked with BBB regarding the validity of these invoices.

“The invoices indicate that the medical providers must pay $89 for a 12 month listing of their ‘Internet Profile’ in an online directory,” said Karen Nalven, President of BBB serving West Florida. “None of the people complaining to BBB have authorized the ‘Internet Profile’ be listed on the website, or even heard of MedicineContact.com.”

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Many people who have checked their profile have indicated that there are problems with the listing (i.e. incorrect information listed, people’s home address being disclosed, or the person listed is not a medical provider).

MedicineContact.com provides an address of Venice, FL on the invoice, with an additional address in the Czech Republic listed on the invoice envelope. BBB has determined that the Venice, FL address is a residential home.

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As of today, MedicineContact.com has not responded to any complaints or calls from BBB.

Businesses can protect themselves from unauthorized bills by cautioning personnel about solicitations concerning business directories or yellow pages or business directories. Businesses should also alert their accounting department or bill-payers to be on the lookout for disguised solicitations and carefully check suspicious bills from companies with which they don't normally do business. 

To check the reliability of a business sending an invoice, and for more tips for businesses, start at bbb.org.

BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Businesses that earn BBB accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization’s high standards of ethical business behavior. BBB provides objective advice, free BBB Business Reviews® and BBB Wise Giving Reports®, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. To further promote trust, BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses when there is a difference in viewpoints. The first BBB was founded in 1912. Today, 113 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring more than three million local and national businesses and charities.
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