BULLETIN: Data Network Affiliates Gets ‘F’ From BBB After Purported Data Firm Did Not Respond To Complaints
BULLETIN: The Better Business Bureau of Southeast Florida and the Caribbean has given Data Network Affiliates (DNA) an “F” rating after the company failed to respond to complaints.
DNA, a purported multilevel-marketing (MLM) firm, publishes a street address in Boca Raton, Fla., on its website. The BBB’s file on DNA lists the Boca Raton address.
DNA now joins Dallas-based Narc That Car, also known as Crowd Sourcing International, in the lineup of purported license plate data gathering firms to have received an “F” from the BBB. The “F” rating is the BBB’s lowest on a 14-step rating scale.
Separately, bizarre events at DNA continue to occur. Earlier this year, DNA purported to be in the business of gathering license-plate numbers to assist law enforcement in locating abducted children. In a conference call, a DNA pitchman criticized the AMBER Alert program, claiming it had a bloated budget. The same pitchman recommended that members gather license-plate data at “churches” and “doctors’ offices,” triggering concerns that DNA’s business model could lead to untenable invasions of privacy.
It is far from clear that DNA has any capacity to help law enforcement locate missing kids. The company’s domain name is registered in the Cayman Islands. Earlier this year, DNA claimed the offshore address was arranged through a domain registrar so company executives would not have to put up with “stupid” calls.
DNA later declared itself the world’s low-price leader in the cell-phone business, before acknowledging that it had not studied pricing before announcing it could offer an “unlimited” plan for $10 a month, including a free phone.
DNA later said it also had ventured into the businesses of selling a purported spray to be applied to license plates that would prevent motorists from getting tickets if they ran a red light at an intersection equipped with a camera — all while purporting to support law enforcement.
The company also announced it had ventured into the mortgage-reduction business, claiming churches had the “MORAL OBLIGATION” to support the program.
In July, DNA asked existing members to pretend the company had not launched in March, asking them to “Make believe that July 26th, 2010 is the LAUNCH DATE for DNA…â€
DNA than rescheduled the make-believe launch to Aug. 9. It is unclear if the imaginary launch occurred as advertised. A countdown timer set for Aug. 23 now appears on the website.
Meanwhile, the company appears to have renamed its Business Benefit Package, which once used the acronym BBP, to the BBB. BBB is the acronym used by the Better Business Bureau.
DNA regularly employs capital letters to stress sales points in pitches to members.
“Please attend our next WEBINAR it will CHANGE YOUR LIFE,” DNA said in a recent email, which also included a pitch for products described as the “DNA Photo Blocker & The DNA $5.95 TELE-FAX BOX.”
It was not immediately clear if the product advertised as “DNA Photo Blocker” was the same product previously advertised as “DNA Protective Spray.â€
Visit the BBB site.
Next we’ll here their new can’t miss income MLM service.
They’re working on a new program to collect DNA samples and sell the database to single mothers. Data collection can be done at emergency rooms (just nonchalantly sit next to a bleeding victim and swab a little blood), dental offices (wear surgical scrubs when you go for a filling, walk into the next treatment room, say “Open wide a sec” and swab a sample from the other patient) and best of all, apply for a job at an adult bookstore with “peep booths” and ….I can’t go on anymore. I may be giving them ideas….
And yes, Gregg is back on the pain management drugs…LOL
Hi Gregg,
Anything is possible, I suppose. DNA has claimed that it had been asked to sell funeral caskets MLM-style.
https://patrickpretty.com/2010/07/09/editorial-mlms-great-race-to-the-bottom-while-ftc-sec-cftc-warn-about-affinity-fraud-data-network-affiliates-says-its-mortgage-reduction-program-is-a-church-fundraisers-dream-come-true/
Patrick
Quick note:
DNA described as the “most moral, ethical and rewarding opportunity” that this person has ever encountered.
“Did you notice that AMBER Alert uses this data to help find missing children?” the promoter intones.
Video is dated July 20, 2010:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHRz7-fPkz4
Patrick
I am shocked I say, shocked at this rating by the BBB. How could such a prestigious program get an F rating? Why Mr P has told everyone what a great company this is, how successful it is, how successful they all will be, and they will all be millionaires before the end of the year. Just buy more of his snake oil, magic pills, and super sleuth spray. Silly BBB. Welcome back Gregg.
Hi Lynn! Don’t know about the other stuff, but the pills really are magic if they’re anything like the ones they sent me home with this week.
No, no, no. The Magic Shower Magnets are really magic – the hint is in the name. The way the magical magnets align the water molecules using the magical power of magnets makes the water more efficient. Or some such nonsense.
And looking back at all the other great businesses that have been afflicted, sorry, affiliated with Phil Piccolo, I am shocked at the “F” rating. How did it get such a high rating?