by Structured Settlement Watchdog®
The Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland continues to fail as a reliable source of information for Maryland consumers of structured settlements as it continues to misrepresent a defunct “purported entity” that engaged in false and misleading advertising, with its highest rating. An utter disgrace.
BBB of Greater MD Failed to Act Timely When Notice was Given of Admitted Fraud by One of its Paying Customers
BBB of Greater Maryland was put on notice after David Springer admitted to using fake identities in a June 28, 2013 deposition, some of which were used in the BBB Listing.
BBB of Greater Maryland was put on notice two years ago that David Springer, the Mount Airy MD resident, admitted in a June 28, 2013 legal deposition to creating a world of fake identities, that were used in social media (and in the BBB listing!) promoting the “company” Sovereign Funding Group. The Structured Settlement Watchdog has copies of correspondence sent to Melanie Rutkauskas of the BBB of Greater Maryland.
In August 2014 , commentators including a property of JRR Funding and ourselves observed that the Sovereign Funding website was taken down.
David Springer was tried in August 2014 (transcripts of trial testimony were available on November 3, 2014). David Springer was found liable by a Maryland Federal Judge in March 2015 and damages were awarded in April 2015. Judge cited David Springer’s “questionable business practices”!
Here’s how I reported the feckless efforts of the BBB of Greater Maryland on April 28, 2015.
The Better Business Bureau persisted in displaying false and misleading information to the public. Instead of removing the listing, a mobile search screen shot taken at 737am on June 16, 2015, months later showed a reckless disregard for the truth about Springer’s company. It is clear from this evidence that structured settlement consumers cannot rely on the BBB of Greater Maryland.
Moreover, based on this evidence, I would personally not solely rely on BBB of Greater Maryland for any major purchase decision.
In Greater Maryland Seek Additional Sources of Credibility
Many companies that offer to purchase your structured settlements (“cash now pushers”) cite their ratings with the Better Business Bureau when soliciting consumers and investors. Given its showing in the Sovereign Funding Group case, If you are being solicited by a Maryland based structured settlement buyer, in the territory covered by the BBB of Greater Maryland, it might be wise to seek additional alternative sources of information.
To BBB’s knowledge, this business is no longer in operation.
In August 2014, the business’ website displayed a message indicating “SovereignFunding.com has decided to close it doors (sic). Thanks to all of our past customers for your patronage over the past 10 years. We sincerely enjoyed serving you!”
As of June 2015, phone numbers associated with the business are disconnected, the business’ website is inactive, and email/fax requests to the business to update our files have gone unanswered.
To BBB’s knowledge, this business is no longer in operation.
In August 2014, the business’ website displayed a message indicating “SovereignFunding.com has decided to close it doors (sic). Thanks to all of our past customers for your patronage over the past 10 years. We sincerely enjoyed serving you!”
As of June 2015, phone numbers associated with the business are disconnected, the business’ website is inactive, and email/fax requests to the business to update our files have gone unanswered.
To BBB’s knowledge, this business is no longer in operation.
In August 2014, the business’ website displayed a message indicating “SovereignFunding.com has decided to close it doors (sic). Thanks to all of our past customers for your patronage over the past 10 years. We sincerely enjoyed serving you!”
As of June 2015, phone numbers associated with the business are disconnected, the business’ website is inactive, and email/fax requests to the business to update our files have gone unanswered.
To BBB’s knowledge, this business is no longer in operation.
In August 2014, the business’ website displayed a message indicating “SovereignFunding.com has decided to close it doors (sic). Thanks to all of our past customers for your patronage over the past 10 years. We sincerely enjoyed serving you!”
As of June 2015, phone numbers associated with the business are disconnected, the business’ website is inactive, and email/fax requests to the business to update our files have gone unanswered.