BBB Cleveland warns NE Ohio residents about deceptive ‘private investigator’ notices left on doors

Описание: The Better Business Bureau (BBB) in Cleveland is warning Northeast Ohio residents about a deceptive door hanger claiming to be from a “private investigator” that is circulating across the region.

According to BBB, the flyers are often printed on fluorescent orange or green cardstock and feature a bold “URGENT!” headline. The door hangers claim an investigation is being conducted under “ORC 4749.0” and instruct residents to immediately call a listed 1-866 phone number.

BBB Cleveland said when staff called the number on the flyer, it was connected to an unrelated party, not a licensed private investigator or company.

“This is a classic high-pressure panic tactic,” states Pamela Anson, President and CEO of BBB Cleveland. “The vague, threatening language pressures the recipient to call immediately, which is exactly the intended outcome. This prevents someone from verifying the notice's legitimacy or consulting a trusted person.”

According to the BBB, the scam is re-surfacing after flyers previously circulated in Toledo and Sandusky.

The BBB emphasized that the Ohio Revised Code citation listed on the door hanger is incorrect. Chapter 4749 of the Ohio Revised Code regulates private investigators and security services, but BBB said “ORC 4749.0” does not exist. ORC 4749.01 specifically defines who qualifies as a private investigator or security guard provider in Ohio.

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