Victim Location 73132
Type of a scam Vanity Award Scam
I received an email indicating I had been selected as the 2020 *************** of the Year for OKC. For MANY reasons I knew this was a bunch of bull but the most comical was the closure of my ******* ******** several years ago! LOL Anyways, to receive your "award" (plaque) you must send $150 to sender under the guise of the business "Business Recognition".
Victim Location 47802
Type of a scam Vanity Award Scam
I received an email from Allen Wagner to inform me that by business had been selected for an award and to follow the link for more information. The website had past award members all nationally known yet my award was city specific. They sent this email to my business email and have my business name and city posted on their website. I’m unable to find their website through a search engine only through the link in my email.
Victim Location 49507
Type of a scam Vanity Award Scam
The scammer emailed our *** office (body of the email attached as an image).
Google searches were performed on "Grand Rapids Awards *** ** ***" and nothing relevant came up.
Also did a search of the email address domain ("2020onlinebestof") and the two relevant results looked suspect. The domain was not visited directly.
Someone found an article from the Better Business Bureau that matched everything about the email, which led to this report.
Luckily, no financial transactions took place.
Victim Location 33139
Type of a scam Vanity Award Scam
Our organization was targeted and sent an email stating that our organization was chosen for a Best of Miami *** Award. Below is the language used in that email.
"It is our pleasure to inform you that *** *** has been selected for the 2020 Miami Awards in the category of *** ***.
For details and more information please view our website:
2020 Miami Awards – *** ***
If you are unable to view the link above, please copy and paste the following into your web browser:
***
Best Regards,
Miami Business Recognition"
Victim Location 94520
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
The scammer sends an email to inform the business that they have been selected for the Best of (city) for 2019 award. It then tells you to purchase an award. The site claims they charge for the awards because other awarding organizations charges members annual dues and with that money sponsor an annual award program. The Best of (CITY) Award Program does not charge membership dues and as an award recipient, there is no membership requirement. Therefore, they ask each award recipient to pay for the cost of their awards.
They also claim they publish the list of award winners which allows the business ‘free’ publicity.
Victim Location 49657
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
Received email stating we had received an award with links to click on to take us to their website. Did not click on links. Did a seperate Google Search looking for the company name and found that it was an existing scam. Reported immediately
Victim Location 99639
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
Business owners in the Ninilchik, Alaska area receiving emails stating they are the winner of a "2019 Best of" award. The email claims that the "winners" should pay $149 or more to claim their award and receive a personalized plaque.
The business is not winning based on merit, but for purchasing the plaque or certificate for an inflated price.
Victim Location 80401
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
Here is the email I received.
It is our pleasure to inform you that *** *** *** has been selected for the 2019 Best of Golden Awards in the category of *** ** ***.
For details and more information please view our website:
2019 Best of Golden Awards – *** ** ***
If you are unable to view the link above, please copy and paste the following into your web browser:
http://golden.2019Biz-ChoiceInformation.net***
Best Regards,
Golden Business Recognition
Victim Location 62301
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
Received an email saying that we had won the *** Category in the 2019 Best of Quincy program. Was asked to buy a trophy with three options between $149 and $229. We did not buy the trophy and instead alerted our local ScamPulse.com about the program.
Victim Location 14850
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
This program has the same name as an awards program run by a local newspaper in Ithaca New York. The award seems to have no merit and the company charges the recipient for the reward.
Victim Location 10044
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
This is a vanity award scheme where businesses are not winning based on merit but for the sole intent of purchasing the plaque or certificate for an inflated price.
The scammers send an unsolicited e-mail to small businesses (like mine, a small *** *** company named *** *** ***) claiming that they have won an award in their business category. The email goes as follows:
"It is our pleasure to inform you that *** *** *** has been selected for the 2019 New York Awards in the category of *** ***.
For details and more information please view our website:
2019 New York Awards – *** *** If you are unable to view the link above, please copy and paste the following into your web browser:
http://newyorkny.company-notification-2019.org/***
Best Regards,
New York Business Recognition"
Once you visit their website and click on the Claim your Award link (in our case: https://newyorkny.company-notification-2019.org/Claim.aspx?***) you’re represented an option to pay for the award at the inflated rate.
The website displays no credible information about who’s behind it, and is overall very shady. Hope you’ll be able to warn others.
Victim Location 59718
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
We are a nonprofit and received an email that we were selected as the best non profit in our area. When we went to the website it asked us to purchase the award. This was strange as typically there would be an award ceremony, etc. When we liked it up we found a scam alert through ScamPulse.com for the same company name with the same phone number but with a different address. Do not buy!
Victim Location 99508
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
Received and email stating that my business had won an award. The website is hosted in Kiev, Ukraine.
The email states:
It is our pleasure to inform you that *** *** *** has been selected for the 2019 Best of Anchorage Awards in the category of *** *** ***.
For details and more information please view our website:
2019 Best of Anchorage Awards – *** *** ***
If you are unable to view the link above, please copy and paste the following into your web browser:
http://anchorage.businessrecognition2019.net/***
Best Regards,
Anchorage Business Recognition
This email was sent to: ***.
Remove – to be safely and instantly removed.
If you would like to stop receiving advertisements please write to: Business Recognition, PO Box 10188, Newark, New Jersey 07101
Report Abuse – to safely report abuse and to stop all future email communications.
Victim Location 02476
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
Scammer says business won a prize, then one needs to pay to receive it. Below is the email I received:
It is our pleasure to inform you that *** *** *** *** – Boston, MA has been selected for the 2019 Best of Arlington Awards in the category of ***.
For details and more information please view our website:
2019 Best of Arlington Awards – *** If you are unable to view the link above, please copy and paste the following into your web browser:
http://arlington.OnlineTopNotice-2019.com/s9b5pxvj_*** *** *** *** *** ***
Victim Location 54935
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
It is our pleasure to inform you that *** *** * *** *** has been selected for the 2019 Best of Fond du Lac Awards in the category of ** ***.
For details and more information please view our website:
2019 Best of Fond du Lac Awards – ** *** If you are unable to view the link above, please copy and paste the following into your web browser:
*** Best Regards,
Fond du Lac Business Recognition
This email was sent to: ***.
Remove – to be safely and instantly removed.
If you would like to stop receiving advertisements please write to: Business Recognition, PO Box 10188, Newark, New Jersey 07101
Report Abuse – to safely report abuse and to stop all future email communications.
Victim Location 55318
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
I received an email saying that I won best local business in my category, and should click to view more information. The email seemed very vague and had poorly designed artwork, so I decided to Google "business recognition" which led me to reviewers warning about the scam.
Victim Location 43215
Type of a scam Counterfeit Product
We received an email message that we had been selected for 2017 Best of Columbus Award for Computer Service and support. Upon reviewing the information, this does not seem legit
Victim Location 22015
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
From: "Burke Business Recognition"
Date: Wed, May 25, 2016 4:23 am
Subject: xxxxx LLC
has been selected for the 2016 Best of Burke Awards for Cleaning Service.
For details and more information please view our website:
2016 Best of Burke Awards – Cleaning Service
If you are unable to view the link above, please copy and paste the following into your web browser:
http://burke.cortist.org Best Regards,
Burke Business Recognition
This email was sent to: [email protected]
Remove – to be safely and instantly removed.
Report Abuse – to safely report abuse and to stop all future email communications.
If you would like to stop receiving advertisements please write to: Business Recognition, 93 S Jackson St # 69619, Seattle, WA 98104.
Victim Location 45242
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
2016 Best of Cincinnati Award–Car Wash
Victim Location 45150
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
Vanity award scheme – I got an email from a company located in your area, and it said I had won the 2016 "Best of Milford" Award. I live in Ohio, but I do business all over the country. I get nominated and/or win awards of some type each year, so it didn’t surprise me that I had won an award. However, I wasn’t familiar with this one as I had never heard of it, and nobody I know nominated me for it. Upon further review and a quick Google search, I found this was a scam and trying to get me to pay money for a plaque or something.
Just to be clear, I didn’t not give them any money and I was not scammed because I did some quick research. The e-mails and website may be convincing, so that is why I want others to know about this.
Victim Location 45150
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
Vanity award scheme – I got an email from a company located in your area, and it said I had won the 2016 "Best of Milford" Award. I live in Ohio, but I do business all over the country. I get nominated and/or win awards of some type each year, so it didn’t surprise me. However, I wasn’t familiar with this one as I had never heard of it, and nobody I know nominated me for it. Upon further review and a quick Google search, I found this was a scam and trying to get me to pay money for a plaque or something.
Just to be clear, I didn’t not give them any money and I was not scammed because I did some quick research. The e-mails and website may be convincing, so that is why I want others to know about this.
Victim Location 73068
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
Received email claiming our business was selected for 2015 Best of Noble Award. Requested payment of $149. for plaque award.
Email Content:
E*** S*** ‘* [censored] P*** S*** and Artist R*** has been selected for the 2015 Best of Noble Awards for Artist’s Studio.
For details and more information please view our website:
2015 Best of Noble Awards – Artist’s Studio
If you are unable to view the link above, please copy and paste the following into your web browser:
http://noble.openen.org/sm8tdvgy_E***-S***-*-[censored]-P***-S***-A
My business is blocked partially by using * in place of letters.
Victim Location 60706
Total money lost $249.97
Type of a scam Business Email Compromise
Received this email:
Inbox > Message Detail
Print Previous Next
Subject:
FINAL 2015 NOTICE: Royal Swings Inc
From:
"Harwood Heights Business Recognition" <[email protected]> (Add as Preferred Sender)
Date: Tue, Dec 01, 2015 8:22 pm
Royal Swings Inc has been selected for the 2015 Best of Harwood Heights Awards for Sporting Goods Manufacturers.
For details and more information please view our website:
2015 Best of Harwood Heights Awards – Sporting Goods Manufacturers
If you are unable to view the link above, please copy and paste the following into your web browser:
http://harwoodheights.superiod.org/s45m73az_ROYAL-SWINGS-INC
Best Regards,
Harwood Heights Business Recognition
This email was sent to: [email protected]
Remove – to be safely and instantly removed.
Report Abuse – to safely report abuse and to stop all future email communications.
If you would like to stop receiving advertisements please write to: Business Recognition, 93 S Jackson St # 69619, Seattle, WA 98104. </[email protected]>
Victim Location 76426
Type of a scam Other
Received notice of winning an "award" and asking for our small business to pay for the plaque from Argyle Business Recognition/Argyle Environmental Construction Company.
Victim Location 18087
Type of a scam Other
Received following via email. Program requires you to purchase award from them. Saw it reported by many other bbb.org as a scam and wanted to make sure it’s noted in my area as well.
Caring Transitions of the Lehigh Valley has been selected for the 2015 Best of Trexlertown Awards for Relocation Service.
For details and more information please view our website:
2015 Best of Trexlertown Awards – Relocation Service
If you are unable to view the link above, please copy and paste the following into your web browser:
http://trexlertown.gibrate.org/syvpw242_CARING-TRANSITIONS-OF-THE-LEHIGH-VA
Best Regards,
Trexlertown Business Recognition
Victim Location 78645
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
received an email stating our small business had won an award:
"*** Heating and Air Conditioning has been selected for the 2015 Best of Pflugerville Awards for Heating Equipment & System Repair Services.
For details and more information please view our website:
2015 Best of Pflugerville Awards – Heating Equipment & System Repair Services"
The email included a link to "claim our prize" but we have not clicked the link. Came from an email address [email protected] based in Seattle, WA. We are located in Texas.
Victim Location 59801
Type of a scam Phishing
I get this email about every month which reports that we have been selected for the 2015 Best of (town) Award. For details about the award we are to click on a web site link.
Unfortunately, someone in my office clicked through and filled out all of our business information on their web site without my knowledge while I was out of the office (believing that they were doing something nice for me). Upon signing in the web site did ask for money for a trophy of some type but thank goodness she didn’t pay money.
Now we have a post on our facebook page for a fake award though!
Victim Location 95562
Type of a scam Other
2015 Best of Palos Verdes Estates Award
Palos Verdes Estates Award Program Honors the Achievement
PALOS VERDES ESTATES June 5, 2015 — ____________________ has been selected for the 2015 Best of Palos Verdes Estates Award in the Printing Services category by the Palos Verdes Estates Award Program.
Each year, the Palos Verdes Estates Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Palos Verdes Estates area a great place to live, work and play.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2015 Palos Verdes Estates Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Palos Verdes Estates Award Program and data provided by third parties.
About Palos Verdes Estates Award Program
The Palos Verdes Estates Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Palos Verdes Estates area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.
The Palos Verdes Estates Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.
SOURCE: Palos Verdes Estates Award Program
CONTACT:
Palos Verdes Estates Award Program
Email: [email protected]
URL: http://www.awardsystem.org