BBB: Scammer targets Nixa businesses

The Better Business Bureau issued a warning on a so-called vanity award scheme targeting Nixa businesses.

Seattle-based Business Recognition allegedly asked business owners to pay for a trophy after being chosen as a 2020 Best of Nixa Award winner by the Best of Nixa Award Program. Trophies range in price from $149-$229, according to a news release.

“Most legitimate awards do not come with costs to the winner,” said Stephanie Garland, BBB Springfield regional director, in the release. “If you didn’t apply for the award or the group can’t tell you how you were nominated, the chances are that the award is not legitimate.”

Business Recognition has the lowest possible rating of F from the BBB consumer watchdog nonprofit.

The BBB release indicates Business Recognition uses multiple websites with city-specific names in an effort to trick businesses into buying the trophies. URLs including LocalBest-Information.org and Local.Business-Ranking.org are among those that have been used.