Latest news with #Bergo
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bay Area man loses $4K to fake appliance repair service — here's how they impersonated a real company
In November, just before Thanksgiving, Ben Phillips called Box Appliance, a San Francisco Bay Area appliance repair company he'd used before, to fix a leak in his 22-year-old refrigerator. But this time around, after several visits and a $4,000 bill, the technician not only upsold him to replace the compressor, but they also didn't actually fix the leak. That's when Phillips noticed there was not one but two Box Appliances online. "I go, I've been taken here," he told ABC 7 News. "I can't believe I fell for it." I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Americans with upside-down car loans owe more money than ever before — and drivers can't keep up. Here are 3 ways to cut your monthly costs ASAP Phillips was later told by a real Box Appliance technician that the refrigerator couldn't be repaired and, worse, that they wouldn't have even taken the job. "That would have saved me," Phillips, whose temporary solution became a shower pan and paper towels, had responded. Box Appliance is fully aware someone is impersonating them, stealing thousands of dollars from their customers and not fixing their appliances. "It's really hard explaining to these customers that they were swindled, basically," Stephanie Chapman, Box Appliance customer service manager, told 7 News. The scammers buy domains and domain extensions similar to their own, including "box-appliance" or " Chapman explained. Then, according to Box Appliance president Ryan Bergo, they use sponsored ads to rank higher on Google, getting exposure and appointments. While he and his team have tried to have the fake sites removed, Bergo described it as playing whack-a-mole. "We take one down and another one goes right back up," he told 7 News. Regardless, the company is warning customers to ensure they're on the correct website and calling the right phone number. Bergo also says real Box Appliance technicians have vans with Sub-Zero logos on them, whereas the impersonating technicians come in unmarked vehicles. Victims have filed reports, and the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office is one agency investigating the issue — and trying to find those posting the fake sites. They want to hear from anyone in the county who's been impacted. "We're seeing this not only in the Bay Area but across the state," Brooks Jarosz, senior communications officer with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, told the news channel. Read more: Are you rich enough to join the top 1%? Here's the net worth you need to rank among America's wealthiest — plus 2 ways to build that first-class portfolio Although Phillips wasn't so lucky, there are things you can do to protect yourself and avoid falling victim to similar scams. Verify service providers through trusted sources, like the Better Business Bureau. You can also use the Bureau of Household Goods and Services or other similar resources to verify the license of a repair company and confirm their legitimacy. Check for official certifications. If a company claims they hold a certification, look it up. Spend time researching the certifying body's website or calling the organization to verify what their certification means and that the business in question is being honest. Check company reviews. There will always be poor reviews and less-than-happy customers, but the red flag to watch for is if the company is consistently low-rated across the board. Be sure to look at reviews not only on their website but also on third-party sites, like Google or Yelp. Understand how to report fraud. If you do end up victimized by a scam, visit the Federal Trade Commission's site, to report it and see if you are eligible for available support. You can also check your state's consumer protection office for additional information and resources. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Protect your retirement savings with these 5 essential money moves — most of which you can complete in just minutes This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Middle East Eye
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Sudanese pro-army militia accused of 'war crimes' after targeting civilians
A militia allied with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) has been accused of war crimes in Sudan after an attack on a village in January that left at least 26 civilians dead, including one child. Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the Sudan Shield Forces, which supports the SAF in its fight against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), "intentionally" targeted the village of Tayba on 10 January. The New York-based rights group said the militia also systematically looted civilian property, including food supplies, and set fire to houses. The Sudan Shield Forces, along with other allied militias, attacked civilians in al-Jazira state who they perceived to be aligned with the RSF. Tayba is 30km east of al-Jazira's capital, Wad Madani, and home to people primarily from the Tama, Bergo and Mararit ethnic groups. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Eyewitnesses told HRW that members of the Sudan Shield Forces, formed in 2022 mainly from Arab communities of al-Jazira state, hurled racist abuse at locals while attacking the village. They described widespread "looting of money, food, and livestock, including 2,000 cattle". "Armed groups fighting alongside the Sudanese Armed Forces have carried out violent abuses against civilians in their latest offensive in Gezira state," said Jean-Baptiste Gallopin, senior crisis, conflict and arms researcher at HRW. "The Sudanese authorities should urgently investigate all reported abuses and hold to account those responsible, including the commanders of the Sudan Shield Forces." Sudan's RSF massacres 433 people as it forms parallel 'peace government' Read More » War has raged in Sudan since April 2023, with millions displaced and both sides accused of war crimes and human rights abuses. The conflict has displaced more than 10 million people, and left over 12 million facing high levels of acute food insecurity. Thousands are estimated to have been killed. The RSF, which is backed by the UAE and has been accused of committing genocide by the US and human rights groups, controls most of Darfur and parts of Khartoum and the region of Kordofan. Last week it launched a brutal three-day attack, killing 433 people in White Nile state, as its leaders arrived in Kenya to announce a parallel "peace and unity" government. Sudan's foreign ministry said infants were among those killed in White Nile in what it describes as "the worst atrocity" committed by the RSF since "the genocide in Geneina and Ardamita" in August and November 2023. "This horrific massacre confirms that the militia's war is actually against the entire Sudanese people," the ministry added. Emergency Lawyers, a group of lawyers who monitor the war in Sudan, said the RSF attacked unarmed civilians, including women and children, in al-Kadaris and al-Khalwat, villages in rural parts of el-Geteina in White Nile state. It said that the paramilitary group carried out field executions, kidnappings, enforced disappearances and looting of property, putting the death toll at 200.
