We’ve been getting a number of questions recently from site owners who receive an email saying they’ve won an award.  Some of the email look like this:

All of the blacked-out sections are customized, adding to the legitimate feel of the email.  It looks pretty legitimate, but these email appear to be part of a widespread scheme designed to get companies to pay for “vanity” awards and plaques.

The group behind the “awards” program is the U. S. Commerce Association of Washington, D. C. The association has been sending out news releases in recent months to businesses nationwide, telling them they have been selected as “outstanding local businesses” and offering them an opportunity to buy one or more awards to mark the honor.

The problem is, the U.S. Commerce Association appears to conduct no business other than selling of over-priced, custom, award plaques and trophies.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) urges that area businesses exercise caution when dealing with this group or a related organization called the U. S. Local Business Association.  [more]

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