Progressive Business Publications’s earns a 3.7-star rating from 38 reviews, showing that the majority of customers are satisfied with educational materials and services.
- All
- Reviews only
- Complaints only
- Resolved
- Unresolved
- Replied by the business
- Unreplied
- With attachments
nonprofit board report newsletter — scam
On September 26, 2016, I spoke with Kathy, a collection agent from International Credit Recovery (ICR). The companies number is [protected]. She indicated that an account for my employer was sent to a collection agency for non payment. After asking several questions, she alleged that invoices have been sent to the office and email address. She had accurate information for both even my birthdate (I have no clue how she obtained that information), but an invoice was NEVER received. They are attempting to collect a $249.00 payment.
I asked her to email me a copy of the invoice. She said that the company doesn't have the ability to email invoices only to fax. That seems strange for a company not to have an email address to send out information. She insisted they only have a fax machine.
I asked how could I cancel the subscription, she said she would let the company know. I then asked to get the companies information so that I could also follow-up with a call. She indicated that she didn't have it. How is that possible? How are you contacting them on "my" behalf then? I asked her to give me her method to contact them. She couldn't do that either. This company is a big SCAM.
fraudulent invoices - no orders
Progressive Business Publications continues to invoice us for a one year subscription to Facility Manager's Alert. They claim our previous Plant Manager ordered this publication. He never ordered any such publication, nor was he here at the time they claim he ordered this subscription. He had moved to another plant prior to the time they claim he ordered this and could not possibly have spoken to anyone from these offices when he was 5000 miles from here. They have sent their invoices to aa collections cmpany called ICR in NY. They continue to call us and harrass us and tell us they're going to file these claims against us on our credit. They are hostile and rude and argue with our accounting department and purchasing department. I refused to speak with this "Bobby" on the phone when she argued with me and claimed that Progressive Business Publications is a legitimate company and that they have a legitimate claim against us. She refused to listen to me at all, so I hung up on her. We will not be taking any more of their calls and will also be filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau against Progressive Business Publications and ICR bot, Internation Credit of Vesta NY)
Something needs to be done about both of these companies put them out of commission! How can we make them stop the harrassment?
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Please send your complaints about fraudulent conduct regarding International Credit Recovery Inc. and Progressive Business Publications to the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Econsumer.gov, the Better Business Bureau, and/or your local General Attorney's office.
scam
If you get a invoice from Progressive Business Publications all you have to do is e-mail... [protected]@pbp.com
Stop the bogus subscription. Keep the email and invoice as evidence.
Also send a copy of the invoice to the Malvern Police Dept and BBB.
I got one of these scammer invoices also, I tried sending to that email address but it came back undeliverable, I also tried calling but it goes no where.
Please send your complaints about fraudulent conduct regarding International Credit Recovery Inc. and Progressive Business Publications to the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, E consumer .gov, the Better Business Bureau, and/or your local General Attorney's office.
Is Progressive Business Publications Legit?
Progressive Business Publications earns a trustworthiness rating of 68%
Generally safe, but check closely before sharing details.
We found clear and detailed contact information for Progressive Business Publications. The company provides a physical address, 3 phone numbers, and 2 emails, as well as 4 social media accounts. This demonstrates a commitment to customer service and transparency, which is a positive sign for building trust with customers.
Pbp.com has a valid SSL certificate, which indicates that the website is secure and trustworthy. Look for the padlock icon in the browser and the "https" prefix in the URL to confirm that the website is using SSL.
Pbp.com has been deemed safe to visit, as it is protected by a cloud-based cybersecurity solution that uses the Domain Name System (DNS) to help protect networks from online threats.
Pbp.com you are considering visiting, which is associated with Progressive Business Publications, is very old. Longevity often suggests that a website has consistently provided valuable content, products, or services over the years and has maintained a stable user base and a sustained online presence. This could be an indication of a very positive reputation.
However ComplaintsBoard has detected that:
- Pbp.com has relatively low traffic compared to other websites, it could be due to a niche focus, but could also indicate a potential lack of traffic and popularity. The pbp.com may offer a niche product or service that is only of interest to a smaller audience.
- Progressive Business Publications protects their ownership data, a common and legal practice. However, from our perspective, this lack of transparency can impede trust and accountability, which are essential for establishing a credible and respected business entity.
- We conducted a search on social media and found several negative reviews related to Progressive Business Publications. These reviews may indicate issues with the company's products, services, or customer support. It is important to thoroughly research the company and its offerings before making any purchases to avoid any potential risks.
unauthorized charges
Received an invoice for $495.00 for a one year subscription to Safety Training Tookit 3.0. No one here at our office ordered this. Furthermore, they used my name as the person ordering. This is a scam! There's not even a phone number on the invoice!
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Please send your complaints about fraudulent conduct regarding International Credit Recovery Inc. and Progressive Business Publications to the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, E consumer .gov, the Better Business Bureau, and/or your local General Attorney's office.
harassment
Company is sending harassing letters indicating that my wife had ordered one year of business publications when no such order was placed. In fact we have never heard of PBP. Yet their letters indicate that we had been mailed 4 issues and that we are receiving our second notice. They are billing us $195 for something we have never ordered.
Please send your complaints about fraudulent conduct regarding International Credit Recovery Inc. and Progressive Business Publications to the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, E consumer .gov, the Better Business Bureau, and/or your local General Attorney's office.
Do you or your wife run a business out of your home, or were any of your phone numbers (landline or cell) previously those of businesses? Not that it would stop PBP from sending things if they called your home and you told them that number was not a business line.
My guess is a sales rep talked at lightning speed to your wife and all she heard was "try for free, free, free, FREE." If she did, that's okay - that's how their script works. I know because I used to work for these scammers. They will often not tell you they are from PBP or Progressive - it will be some other name like Quality Manager's Alert, which is the name of the crappy newsletters they are shoving on people. They emphasize free but buzz through words like "free trial, " "cancellation, " and prices because they don't want you to hear those.
I also would not put it past some reps to get almost the entire way through their script, hear "NO", and send the darn things anyway because they are under the impression if they get tons of sales, they will get commission on top of their seven bucks an hour.
I recommend calling [protected] - this is the number for corporate and if you talk to someone there, they may be able to get this sorted out because otherwise, you will get harassing phone calls from Progressive's fake collection agency called ICR. They won't actually do anything to you, but they will intimidate, threaten and harass you several times a day over these newsletters. And you can ask to be taken off their call lists, but since there are 13 branches of the company and they all rotate subscription titles twice a month, you may only have peace for a few days before their lists get reset and they are bugging you to buy some other silly thing like Safety Manager's Guide To Stuff They Should Already Know (not a real title, but honestly, everything they sell is stuff managers have already learned).
Good. Keep it up. From http://www.deccansojourn.com
scam
I got a call from “Steven” today (September 28, 2011 ) for a free trial subscription for a newsletter for Managers (not sure of the “real” name). He said the name of the business was Communication Bulletin and they are out of Malvern, PA. I verified our business mailing address, my name and my month and day of birth. He said I would get 2 newsletters: one on Oct 7 and the other on Oct 21. If after reading those I was not satisfied just send back invoice saying cancelled. If I liked them then the one year subscription price of $94 dollars would be billed and I would receive 24 newsletters. Also gave the guy my business email so that he could send me a confirmation. He said he would send it right away. I did not get the email so I thought SCAM and I goggled some stuff. Below is what I found after looking at various sites (including this one). I complied to try to help anyone else.
If you get a call asking for payment and you did not ask for a subscription here is some info for you.
Some general advice after reading. Ask for invoice to be faxed, ask for voice recording of confirmed order, ask for dates, ask for their address, and ask for their supervisors /managers name. When they will not give the info to you tell them you believe it is a scam, ask them to not call you again and hang up. After that call PBP and see if they will help (some readers have gotten them to call off the collection agency). If that does not work report them to the BBB and the Attorney General. Other ideas follow. Above all read the info so you are prepared.
Disclaimer: I may have some info listed under wrong business etc as all of this info is taken from other posts. Also I have no proof that any of this info is correct or if it works, just had some time and the inclination to help myself and others. GOOD LUCK
International Credit Recovery Inc.
300 Main Street P.O. Box 992 Vestal, NY 13851
Phone [protected] fax [protected] web: www.INTLCREDITREC.com
Caller ID numbers [protected], [protected], [protected], [protected], [protected]
Callers also say they are from United Credit & Collections, International Credit Collections Agency, International Credit, Olde City Financial
NY State Division of Corporations IRC of Vestal NY is "Inactive" and "dissolved" for not paying franchise taxes. They are NOT a member of the American Collector’s Association
Caller Names - Many report that the voices sound a lot alike and these are supposed to be fake names
Laurie Appleton
Valarie Oliver - supervisor
Lynn Gregory
Katie Dotman or Gotham
Amanda Sprague
Kathy Rema or Reemer
Chris Bennett
Tiffany Jones
Kelly Fountain
Becky Morgan
Amber Gates or Yates
Janice
Lindsey Bezek
Sam (girl)
Angel White
Cynthia Thomas – Manager Powell is suppose to be real last name
Bobbi (girl)
Heather
April Bair
Jaime
Doddie or dobbie Philtrop
Jim Miller – Manager
KARLA AKEMANN
Progressive Business Publications
370 Technology Drive P.O. Box 3019 Malvern, PA 19355
Reported Phone numbers [protected], [protected] or [protected] Peggy (extension #219)
Email addresses: [protected]@PBPInfo.com ~ [protected]@PBPInfo.com ~ Corporate [protected]@pbp.com
Business also been seen as Business 21 Publishing, Institute of Business Publishing and others
Who to contact to file complaints
NY State Attorney General Office [protected] (Andrew Cuomo)
One person reports satisfaction by filing a complaint online with them and this is the guy who responded in July 2009
The NY Attorney General's office contact information.
Joseph Kelly
Bureau of Consumer Frauds and Protection
44 Hawley St. Binghamton, NY 13901
PH:[protected] Fax [protected] web; http://www.oag.state.ny.us
Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General,
16th Floor Strawberry Square Harrisburg, PA 17120 phone [protected]
Consumer Protection [protected].
Better Business Bureau, Check out a Business, owner, contact info; file a Complaint: http://www.bbb.org/us/
Specific Info in NY where the company is located
Better Business Bureau, Inc.
100 Bryant Woods South Amherst, NY 14228
File a complaint on-line http://dc-easternpa.bbb.org/
One person got an email back from a complaint saying that they believe a complaint had been satisfied and they received it from
Terry Hodgson
Trade Practice Consultant
[protected]@upstatenybbb.org
Federal Trade Commission
http://www.ftc.gov [protected]
File complaint online: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov that is at www.ftc.gov
US National Do Not Call Registry, file complaint: https://www.donotcall.gov/complaint/complaintcheck.aspx
Federal Communications Commission
Telephone toll free: [protected] http://www.fcc.gov/contacts.html
File complaint online: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumers.html http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm
FCC Abandoned Calls Complaint form: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/1088D-R.pdf
email: [protected]@fcc.gov
One persons advice from Fair Debt Collection.com
Send them this letter via certified mail DEMANDING validation of the alleged debt they are calling about with return receipt requested. Per the FDCPA they have five days to respond. If they can't (or won't) provide proof that you legitimately owe it and continue calling, you can sue for statutory damages of $1, 000.00 PER violation. Be sure and keep copies of everything you send:
Today's Date
Your Name
Your Address
International Credit Recovery Inc
300 Main St
Vestal, NY [protected]
VIA CERTIFIED MAIL
Dear {insert name of collector or company},
I am writing in response to your (letter or phone call) dated {insert date}, (copy enclosed) because I do not believe I owe what you say I owe.
This is the first I've heard from you, or any other company on this matter therefore, in accordance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Section 809(b): Validating Debts:
(b) If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period described in subsection (a) that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt or any copy of a judgment, or the name and address of the original creditor, and a copy of such verification or judgment, or name and address of the original creditor, is mailed to the consumer by the debt collector.
I respectfully request that you provide me with the following information:
(1) the amount of the debt;
(2) the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed;
(3) Provide a verification or copy of any judgment (if applicable);
(4) Proof that you are licensed to collect debts in (insert name of your state).
Be advised that I am fully aware of my rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. For instance, I know that:
Because I have disputed this debt in writing within 30 days of receipt of your dunning notice, you must obtain verification of the debt or a copy of the judgment against me and mail these items to me at your expense;
you cannot add interest or fees except those allowed by the original contract or state law.
You do not have to respond to this dispute but if you do, any attempt to collect this debt without validating it, violates the FDCPA.
Also be advised that I am keeping very accurate records of all correspondence from you and your company including recording all phone calls and I will not hesitate to report violations of the law to my State Attorney General, the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau.
I have disputed this debt; therefore, until validated you know your information concerning this debt is inaccurate. Thus, if you have already reported this debt to any credit-reporting agency (CRA) or Credit Bureau (CB) then, you must immediately inform them of my dispute with this debt. Reporting information that you know to be inaccurate or failing to report information correctly violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act § 1681s-2. Should you pursue a judgment without validating this debt, I will inform the judge and request the case be dismissed based on your failure to comply with the FDCPA.
Finally, if you do not own this debt, I demand that you immediately send a copy of this dispute letter to the original creditor so they are also aware of my dispute with this debt.
Signature here
Your Printed Name
http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/Disputing ... ute-letter.html
As a form of reference here are the sites that I looked at to compile info- I think I included them all!
Web Article
http://failuremag.com/index.php/failure_analysis/article/progressive_business_publications_and_international_credit_recovery/
Very similar text http://www.zimbio.com/member/QAWXPbC64/articles/1821803/Beware+Progressive+Business+Publications+Malvern
[redacted] International Credit Recovery
/link removed/
Progressive Business Publications
/link removed/
Found Complaints at these Sites
http://www.complaintsboard.com/?search=INTERNATIONAL%20CREDIT%20RECOVERY
http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/6077484686
http://www.insiderpages.com/b/15240951621/international-credit-recovery-vestal
http://binghamton.citysearch.com/review/7709203
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-607-748-4686
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Please send your complaints about fraudulent conduct regarding International Credit Recovery Inc. and Progressive Business Publications to the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, E consumer .gov, the Better Business Bureau, and/or your local General Attorney's office.
With PBP, there is no written contract. It's verbal, and you are recorded. So if you call them and say you never agreed to the subscription, they whip out the tape and let you hear what you agreed to. Funny because I always thought recording someone without their permission was illegal. And unfortunately, BBB complaints don't do much because Progressive already has an F rating due to having in excess of 1000 complaints (I used to work for them - my boss said the only reason they have an F rating is because they refuse to become paid members of the BBB. Yeah, that's BS). They resolve their complaints when they go that far, but most likely just to avoid lawsuits.
And when you refuse their offer, there is a whole other set of responses the company has formulated to try and win you over. They go something like this:
"I'm not interested."
"I understand your concern, but this newsletter could help increase business and improve service, etc."
"No budget for it."
"That's why we just want you to try it and if you don't like it, you can cancel really easily."
"I can't make decisions about subscriptions/corporate controls that."
"If we send it to you and you like it, would you recommend it to the higher-ups?"
Basically no matter what you say to them, they are required to try as much as possible to sell these worthless things to you all the while trying to butter you up and tell you how their publications will in some way help your business. They won't. Even if they did, it wouldn't be worth the prices they charge. The reps are taught to speak to you as if they have already made the sale and are just calling you to verify all your information. Basically reps are taught to do some heavy and illogical assuming.
Please see the enclosed link for more info on their script and feel free to pass it around (an article I composed for Scam Informer). The more people are aware of Progressive's tactics, the fewer will fall victim to them.
http://www.scaminformer.com/scam-report/progressive-business-publications-dishonesty-toward-customers-c29944.html
I received a call from Tyler asking the same questions. He said he wanted to verify my info for a publication that he would send. I refused to give him any info and he just kept trying to get me to let him send me trial issues.
this is a total fraud and nuisance
They called me and told me that they will send 2 free letters and then you can cancel if you don't like our publication. I looked for a phone # to call for cancelling before my second letter but didn't find any. They they sent me an invoice for $299 even though I didn't wish to continue. I am sending them a letter to cancel. But this should really be stopped. This is a total fraud and nuisance. Why is government not shutting them down?
Please send your complaints about fraudulent conduct regarding International Credit Recovery Inc. and Progressive Business Publications to the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, E consumer .gov, the Better Business Bureau, and/or your local General Attorney's office.
What you're supposed to do is somehow write or otherwise indicate on the invoice that you wish to cancel and then mail it back to them. It wouldn't matter anyway since the invoice arrives after the free trial period ends. Usually letters don't do anything either sadly, though others here have said calling the corporate office and weeding your way through the menu can get unwanted subscriptions canceled.
That customer service number is [protected] if you'd like to try calling them. Best of luck getting them out of your hair.
safety training toolkit 3.0
We received a sales call fom this company asking us to purchase a subscription to their safety training web site. I informed them, as I always do, we don't have the budget for any purchases, and weren't interested. They asked me if I wanted a free trial, and I declined, telling them that I wouldn't be able to purchase anyway. Now months later I received an invoice for $795.00 thats due for our annual subscription. NO phone number, NO fax number, NO email address. We've filed with the BBB already, I'd tell anyone receiving a call from this company to hang up immediately!
Please send your complaints about fraudulent conduct regarding International Credit Recovery Inc. and Progressive Business Publications to the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, E consumer .gov, the Better Business Bureau, and/or your local General Attorney's office.
false invoices, false claims, bad business
PBP called me and asked me if I wanted to try their "Marketing Report" publication for free. I agreed to the terms to "try" it and to cancel within three months if I didn't think it was worth it. Three days later, our accounting department received an invoice for annual subscription for 20 people to "Selling Advantage" for $864.00 with MY name on it. It...
demanding payment for phantom service
I answered a call from a collections agency today demanding a payment for $290 for a series of Internet Marketing reports I have never received. They claimed that I signed up for a free report and gave the company my date of birth, which is binding. I emailed PBP months ago to notify them about receiving an invoice for something I never signed up for but they refused to acknowledge it. This company follows a bad, unethical if not illegal business practice and should be reprimanded for it. It paints a terrible picture for us marketing professionals.
.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Please send your complaints about fraudulent conduct regarding International Credit Recovery Inc. and Progressive Business Publications to the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, E consumer .gov, the Better Business Bureau, and/or your local General Attorney's office.
Easy solution: Block private numbers. PBP makes it so the people they call cannot see their name or number, and many times when I called people, I was greeted with the message, "I'm sorry, but the person you are calling does not wish to accept calls from callers who block their numbers." The only thing is you would also be blocking out customers with private numbers
I had the very same thing happen to me today and about two months ago. I paid the first one but I will not pay the one I got today. These practices must stop. It is unethical and a scam. They said I had received four past due invoice and I have not received any. I have told them to stop this publication but now am harrassed by a credit agency who threatened to turn me in. I am furious.
scam
well I just got a call from ICR from Angel at my work...she stated that I owe her $94.50 for a years subscription to supervisor saftey buliten. I told her I have never agreed to this and will check with our company's billing office to see where this is coming from. She told me that it doesnt matter the claim is against me. WOW! hung up from her and did a little serch online...well all be...I am not the only one who is getting tried here! I called her back and demanded the company that was submitting this claim she told me the PBP and I asked her to fax me all aditional info. she stated she would have to call me back she needed to rap up another call. I took a number off this web page from other complants (THANK YOU!) I called [protected] and #3 for a real person who was Cindy extention 413, I told her I will have to have all documents faxed to me before I will pay a dime, she went through this whole deal telling me all the ways they tried to contact me(LIE!) I said "Look Cindy I am a supervisor and have been doing this same job for 20+ years and never once have I agreed to any telemarketing for myself or on behalf of my company, I want the papers to take to my company billing office." "I have looked online and see I am not the only one that is having issues with this company" she told me she has privilage info on me that varifies I othorized this...my DOB...wow really I said well a monkey can look my DOB on line so that is BS and untill you can show me in writing where I signed for this I am taking it to the Atturney Generals office and will get back to ya! Cindy only had this to say" its under $100.00 so we will just write this off, have a good day!" Good luck to you all out there DONT GIVE THEM A PENNY!
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
We have the same situation here in our office that we are trying to get resolved, and unfortunately I am the person who supposedly authorized this subscription. I never received ANYTHING, no invoices, not even any of the publications. I was on maternity leave the majority of the time that we were supposedly receiving these publications, and all of a sudden I start receiving collection calls from the same person you are referring to. Thank you so much for all the information you provided. It will hopefully help us to get this resolved and get this weight off of my shoulders.
calling non stop
I have had this company call my family business for the past 2 weeks. THANK GOD FOR THIS WEBSITE AND ALL OF THE INFORMATION PEOPLE HAVE PROVIDED HERE ABOUT PROGRESSIVE BUSINESS. I am writing this because they have been calling from a blocked number and asking who is a HR person and if they can speak to them I ask them who they are they give me a name and then I have to pry about where they work. I have called their 1(800) number and told them to take me off the list. They told me that they took me off but I have to tell each caller to take me off the list. I thought I did that in the first place calling their customer service. Well they don't stop calling! So I called the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office and they told me that after I contact them and asked to be removed from their calling list to then file a complaint with my Attorney General first (I forgot to mention I am from Oklahoma), and my Attorney General's office would be in contact with them. Start taking notes everytime they call and file a complaint in the end, though it might take awhile, it will be taken care of. Here is a link to a document from the Federal Communications Commissions about how crummy they really are! http://www.fcc.gov/eb/Orders/2008/FCC-08-145A1.html
http://www.fcc.gov/eb/Orders/2006/DA-06-1818A1.html
Both of these should help you get them off your back.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
I received a phone call from International Credit [protected] saying that I did not cancel an invoice from Progressive Business within their "specified amount of time." They threatened that if I did not pay $100 to settle the claim then our non-profit agency would be sent to their collections department. I need help! Is there anything that I can do to settle this?
I am a former employee of this company. we were told to say its a no cost risk free trial. We were told to "say we arent asking you for a purchasing decision today", but its actually a subscription with the right to cancel.
Sounds very redundent. Also when told to take us off yer call list, all we cud do was boot company out of computer for the current publication round. We had no way of ever permenantly removing company as a marketing rep. We were told that there was no such thing as a do not call list for Companys. We had many different titles for our company other than pbp. Like Center for Education. I really dont understand how they have gotten away with this as long as they have. Obviously its legal and it shouldnt be.
fraudulent invoives for product not order
Our company recieved an invoice for 249 stated that we had order a report from this company. There was not phone number on the invoice and we assumed it was fraudulant so we did not pay. Then we recieved other invoices and recieved a call from IRC trying to collect by getting a credit card. When we contacted the business they stated that they had talked to our Executive Director and she confirmed the order with her birthday. We ask them for the date they had on file and it was incorrect. They do not have any email or tape recording that the product was order. Once we told them that we believe that this was false, they immediately offer to credit our account and notify the collection agency. We filed a complaint with the NC Dept of Justice. Also we sent a letter to both the collection agency and to Progressive confirming our converstaion. Advise to others - do not pay, contact your state dept of justice and file a complaint. This business needs to be shut down.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Please send your complaints about fraudulent conduct regarding International Credit Recovery Inc. and Progressive Business Publications to the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, E consumer .gov, the Better Business Bureau, and/or your local General Attorney's office.
unauthorized subscription fraud
I recieved an invoice in the amount of 795.00 for a Safety Training Toolkit 3.0 I did not order nor recieve.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Please send your complaints about fraudulent conduct regarding International Credit Recovery Inc. and Progressive Business Publications to the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, E consumer .gov, the Better Business Bureau, and/or your local General Attorney's office.
PBP records all their calls without asking permission from those they speak to, so I would love to see them try and raise a fuss over someone recording THEM.
harassment and fraud
Our corporation never agreed receive their "newsletter" nor did we receive it. What we did receive was threatening communications from Cathy Rema at International Credit Recovery. I explained to her that even if PBP had contacted our HR person, he does not have the authority to bind the company in a contract for services. I explained she was on notice that the contract was invalid and that to pursue payment would make them liable for a false claim as well, but she insisted our HR person should have told them that at the time which made the contract valid. Her reasoning baffles me. This company is a scam, pure and simple. Avoid them if you can.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Please send your complaints about fraudulent conduct regarding International Credit Recovery Inc. and Progressive Business Publications to the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, E consumer .gov, the Better Business Bureau, and/or your local General Attorney's office.
This company is a complete RIP OFF. I'm dealing with them now and am furious. Because their newsletters and bills look like junk mail, I'm sure they were tossed out before they reached me. Also, they supposedly e-mail me every issue; that NEVER happened. For a company that "teaches" customer service, theirs is exceptionally BAD!
I think what happened here was Progressive called your company looking specifically for the HR manager about a human resources newsletter. They were told they could look at this newsletter for free for a while. If they said they couldn't authorize it being sent, they were likely told something like, "Oh, surely you could recommend it for the budget even if you don't handle subscriptions, right?" And the company's idea of a contract is a verbal one where they ask your date of birth, name, and email. But if you don't give them these, the contract is still binding if they have your name.
Progressive doesn't care if they're selling to someone who has no authority to sign a contract - they gussy their script up to sound like it's not a contract. They make it sound like they're just going to toss you a couple no-strings-attached newsletters to see if you like it and if you do, you can subscribe. Yeah, in a perfect world, that would be good business. But no, they make sure they talk at mach speed when they say the newsletter is actually a subscription that needs to be paid for, and that the bill you use to cancel the thing with doesn't arrive until after the free trial period is over. And if you don't pay for those newsletters, you'll get threatening phone calls from ICR, which is Progressive's cute little equally scammy collection agency.
In short, Progressive twists their words just enough to mislead people into buying their trash, but also just enough so they aren't lying to your face. Plus they record all their sales calls so if you decide to complain, they can whip out the tape with your call on it to prove to you that you agreed to everything (when you may not have even heard everything that was said). And since there's no law saying you have to talk at a certain speed when selling things, they can rush through the details that would make 99 percent of the people they call not order from them. I'm sorry to hear they've scammed you too.
I would suggest calling the customer service line at [protected], and if possible, make it so your company does not accept calls from places that block their numbers. PBP does this because they don't want anyone calling them back to scream at them about their scamming; by blocking private numbers, they will not call you since their phones don't allow them to unblock their identity.
false invoices and orders
On 11/29/10 I receieved a book in the mail and an invoice from this company that I owed $299. The invoice only had the address correct. My name and all other information was incorrect. I have never ordered this book from this company. The invoice did not have a phone number on it. After serach the internet and finding them on http://www.complaintsboard.com I found many complaints on this company and a phone number. I called to tell them I did not order this book. They insisted I did and after I told them did not several times they agreed to cancel the invoice.
This company has a reputation of 'filling orders' that no one has every placed. You know it's a scam when you receive an invoice with no phone number or website.
If anyone needs their fax number it is [protected]
From the Better Business Bureau
http://www.dc.bbb.org/report.html?national=y&compid=80012821
Number of complaints processed by the BBB
in the last 36 months: 874
in the last 12 months: 417
While this company responds to customer complaints presented to it by this Bureau, this company's business performance record demonstrates a pattern of customer complaints alleging billing for unordered merchandise. Some consumers have claimed that they cancelled subscriptions but their cancellations were not honored. Progressive Business Publications responded to the BBB concerning the company's unsatisfactory business performance report. The company sells its publications through telemarketing solicitations. It claims that it tape records telephone solicitations for quality control purposes. The company states that it obtains the ordering person's birthdate to verify the order at a later date. According to the company's correspondence, orders are confirmed by fax within 24 hours, giving the orderer an opportunity to respond. The company claims it has a liberal cancellation policy permitting the customer to cancel anytime within the first three months of the telephone order and receiving a refund on all unsent issues. New subscribers receive two free issues with the right to cancel according to the company. The company claims that its BBB complaint volume is negligible compared to its volume of business.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Phone calls from their collection agency, International Credit Recovery, for a subscription that was not authorized. Trying to harass an employee into paying personally when they were told she could not have authorized the purchase. I personally told the PBP in 2012 that we would not do business with them again.
We received an invoice with the name of one of our managers that stated he had ordered a publication. The cost was $299.00 and it said our account was 90-days past due. We didn't order the publication.
I have received their newsletter which I have not ordered. Now I have received a past due invoice notice and now a second past due notice. I did not order it. This is illegal.
I received a phone call from these people, and as soon as they told me their company name "Progressive Business Publications", I told them I was not interested in any dealings with them whatsoever and hung up. Then today I received an invoice dated 3/25/2015 (today's date is 4/14/2015 ) for $249. They say if you send it back with the word "Cancel" on it, then you only have to pay for the unsent portion of your "Subscription".
This is complete fraud. Strong-arm robbery via the mail. It remains to be seen if I can find any federal agency that can get me off the hook with these leeches.
It is August 4, 2014 and my hospital received a bill in my name for $299. I do not even know what their newsletter is. THEY ARE STILL AT IT IN 2014!
False claims of product orders, send out free publications then claim they are trials and that you "were sent invoices that you were supposed to cancel". No official signed orders, no credit card information taken. Then they turn over to ICR (International Credit Recovery) out of Vestal, NY. They begin the harrassing, threatening, accusatory calls to your place of business 3-4 times per day. (Valerie) from ICR, is hostile, rude and doesn't take no for an answer. Have filed with the NY attorney general's office and the BBB. Called progressive directly and their accounts people are just as accusatory and useless. Not sure how companies can get away with these practices and have no action take against them.
Please send your complaints about fraudulent conduct regarding International Credit Recovery Inc. and Progressive Business Publications to the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, E consumer .gov, the Better Business Bureau, and/or your local General Attorney's office.
Please send your complaints about fraudulent conduct regarding International Credit Recovery Inc. and Progressive Business Publications to the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, E consumer .gov, the Better Business Bureau, and/or your local General Attorney's office.
Yes, I had a similar run in with these people as described above. They talked to me on the phone, then a very overpriced pamphlet came in the mail $300 for 24 issues of a four paged regurgitation of technology articles. Asked to see invoice of order, they hung up on me.
I got a call from International Credit Recovery today demanding payment for Progressive Business Solutions---the amount was for $299 and spoke to "Kathy", the number was [protected]. I quickly googled these names and numbers and found tons of complaints...I did call PBS (located in Malvern, PA?) and spoke to someone named Denise...threatened to call the BBB, the Attorney General, and the FCC and our lawyers. She gave me a confirmation code that the charge would be removed. She also had our address wrong.
fraudulent subscriptions/invocies
I RECEIVED AN INVOICE FROM THIS COMPANY FOR $299.00 FOR A SUBSCRIPTION FOR A "CONTROLLER" ALERT PUBLICATION. THE INVOICE STATED THAT I ORDERED IT AND THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE MY CORRECT LAST NAME. THEN I REMEMBERED THIS COMPANY FROM ABOUT A YEAR AGO WHEN I HAD THIS IRC COLLECTION AGENCY CALLING ME CONSTANTLY. THEY STATED OUR PRODUCTION MANAGER ORDERED A "SAFETY TRAINING" PUBLICATION WHICH HE STATED HE NEVER ORDERED. THERE WAS NO PHONE NUMBER ON THE INVOICE TO CANCEL SO I GOOGLED IT AND SAW ALL THE COMPLAINTS OF FRAUD. I FOUND THE PHONE NUMBER ON ONE OF THE COMPLAINTS AND CALLED. THE ONLY TIME YOU GET A REAL PERSON IS WHEN YOU SELECT TO MAKE A PAYMENT. THE REPRESENTATIVE ARGUED WITH ME WHEN I TOLD HER I DID NOT ORDER, STATING THAT I GAVE THEM MY INFORMATION. AGAIN THEY DIDN'T HAVE MY CORRECT LAST NAME, I ASKED HER IF SHE WENT ONLINE TO SEE ALL THE COMPLAINTS OF THIS FRAUDULENT COMPANY, AND SHE TOLD ME THEY WERE IDIOTS THAT COULD NOT CORRECTLY CANCEL A SUBSCRIPTION. THIS COMPANY IS A FRAUD AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT!
Please send your complaints about fraudulent conduct regarding International Credit Recovery Inc. and Progressive Business Publications to the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, E consumer .gov, the Better Business Bureau, and/or your local General Attorney's office.
false invoice
False claims of product orders, send out free publications then claim they are trials and that you "were sent invoices that you were supposed to cancel". Claiming multiple notice to pay were sent, requesting prompt payment, and unpaid bills will be referred to a "collection agency". No official signed orders, no credit card information taken. Attached invoice - sensitive information removed.
Company placed a false order claiming that its a trial and expect you to pay for the trial, when in reality you have NOT agreed to any trial and they refuse to correct the issue and make it seem like they have no fault in the situation.
A few years ago we agreed to use there publication. We sent in the cancel form, but still received there mail. After threats of legal action, we paid them. Told them we NEVER wanted this publication again. After about a year we are now getting there trash again. We have returned them to them. We have also e-mailed them and told them we did not ask for there publications.
Company started sending a newletter said it was free, then a year later sent a bill for non payment of 500.00 some odd dollars, We told them we didnt order anything from them. A Cathy Rema started calling from a collection company theatning to take us to Court for non payment. She was very theatning. I paid it and asked that they stop sending them she assured me they would however they kept coming and we have sent them back over and over. This company is a SCAM... We are now stockpiling them ( newsletters), plus keeping all responses that we sent asking to be taken off the mailing list.. I wish I would have read this site before paying them otherwise they would have not got a penny. I would welcome court at this point so a judge could see just what kind of stuff they are pulling all in the name of good business.
I had the same call from Desiree Smith. I received fax stated that I did the no-risk order. I didn't order anything and I would like to cancel it right a way but there is no way to leach this company.
Same here guys I just received a bill for 299.00 with no phone number listed bunch of thieves
Exact same thing has happened to me. Progressive Business Publications has called me incessantly requesting that I give their newsletter a try. I got tired of saying no and finally gave them my address and birthdate. The newsletters are useless, I toss them directly in the recycling bin. I never got an invoice until I received a letter stating that I owed $299 or would be sent to a collections agency. I never agreed to anything so I don't understand how this can be possible. After reading these other negative reviews with the same experience I see that it is indeed possible for this company to submit this to a collections agency which seems so unlawful to me. I will definitely be reporting this con artist company to the BBB and hope that others that fall into this trap will do the same. I will not be paying this bill.
Received an unexpected invoice for $299 with "Original order Date & Written Confirmation" listed, along with my Birth date somehow as "confirmation" that I ordered. I never ordered this! I never talked to anyone from this company, never sent them anything in email, or on-line. I tried to call and complain and cancel, but could only get an answering machine, so I went through the phone tree and left a message to cancel. I might add that you are forced to listen to a very long spiel before you can make the selection (where you can only leave a voice mail anyway!). I also noted that one message recommended that I go online for quick and easy cancellation. Lo and Behold, I go on-line, and try to cancel and when I click on the icon to cancel it says "No problem!, Just call this 1-800 number" and "they'd be happy to assist!" Talk about a never-ending circle where it is all but impossible to cancel!
We had the same thing happen to one of our business lines. Progressive Business Publications is claiming that one of our business lines, which does not have any employees, ordered this publication and somehow they had my birthday as confirmation that I ordered this. They didn't have the correct street address and I do not see that I ever received an e-mail from them. Now I have a nasty collection agent from International Credit Recovery calling me for $299 for a publication that I never ordered or received. They tell me they are reporting me to the credit bureaus for not paying our bills, well I will report them to the Better Business Bureau and we will see who comes out ahead.
This company has repeatedly sent invoices for an unsolicited, unwanted publication.
Please send your complaints about fraudulent conduct regarding International Credit Recovery Inc. and Progressive Business Publications to the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, E consumer .gov, the Better Business Bureau, and/or your local General Attorney's office.
safety training toolkit
We received a billing for $ 795 for a one year subscription to
a "Safety Training Toolkit" . None of us at our business ordered
anything akin to that from Progressive Business Publications, and
we certainly do not want nor desire any product this "company has to offer.
Stephen Navara, owner, Jakes Pizza of Wells, Minnesota.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Please send your complaints about fraudulent conduct regarding International Credit Recovery Inc. and Progressive Business Publications to the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, E consumer .gov, the Better Business Bureau, and/or your local General Attorney's office.
If you get a invoice from Progressive Business Publications all you have to do is e-mail... jthomas@pbp.com
Stop the bogus subscription. Keep the email and invoice as evidence.
Also send a copy of the invoice to the Malvern Police Dept and BBB.
non-stop mail and calls
I have tried on several occassions to have these people quit contacting us. Several of us have called, have returned their mailings, invoices, and CD's. Yet they NEVER stop.
They told us to return their items telling them we do not want any communications. They DON'T STOP. They tell us to fax them a letter on our company letterhead stating "Please suppress us from the marketing list" at fax [protected]. That doesn't help either. Is there no any type of policing company that can regulate and terminate this company? I am tired of the harrassment from this company, the 3 calls a day, the mailings that will range from 2 letters a week to 3 letters a day.
Do not do business with them. But god forbid, you better return that invoice they send you with a rejection of service or they will automatically start sending you crap and it will never end. Ever.
Progressive Business Publications Reviews 0
If you represent Progressive Business Publications, take charge of your business profile by claiming it and stay informed about any new reviews or complaints submitted.
Overview of Progressive Business Publications complaint handling
-
Progressive Business Publications Contacts
-
Progressive Business Publications phone numbers+1 (800) 220-5000+1 (800) 220-5000Click up if you have successfully reached Progressive Business Publications by calling +1 (800) 220-5000 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached Progressive Business Publications by calling +1 (800) 220-5000 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Progressive Business Publications by calling +1 (800) 220-5000 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Progressive Business Publications by calling +1 (800) 220-5000 phone number+1 (610) 695-8600+1 (610) 695-8600Click up if you have successfully reached Progressive Business Publications by calling +1 (610) 695-8600 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached Progressive Business Publications by calling +1 (610) 695-8600 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Progressive Business Publications by calling +1 (610) 695-8600 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Progressive Business Publications by calling +1 (610) 695-8600 phone numberHead Office+1 (570) 628-5939+1 (570) 628-5939Click up if you have successfully reached Progressive Business Publications by calling +1 (570) 628-5939 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached Progressive Business Publications by calling +1 (570) 628-5939 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Progressive Business Publications by calling +1 (570) 628-5939 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Progressive Business Publications by calling +1 (570) 628-5939 phone numberPottsville, PA
-
Progressive Business Publications emailscustomer_service@pbp.com100%Confidence score: 100%Support
-
Progressive Business Publications address370 Technology Dr., Malvern, Pennsylvania, 19355, United States
-
Progressive Business Publications social media
-
Checked and verified by Michael This contact information is personally checked and verified by the ComplaintsBoard representative. Learn moreJun 13, 2024
Recent comments about Progressive Business Publications company
unauthorized charges
Long Island Pennysaver
2 reviews
![Atlanta Journal Constitution [AJC]](/images/business/48-48/104927/atlanta-journal-constitution-ajc.jpg){kind=small}
Atlanta Journal Constitution [AJC]
17 reviews
Agora Business Publications
20 reviews
Meriden Police Department
4 reviews
Acclaim Subscriptions
4 reviews
Our Commitment
We make sure all complaints and reviews are from real people sharing genuine experiences.
We offer easy tools for businesses and reviewers to solve issues together. Learn how it works.
We support and promote the right for reviewers to express their opinions and ideas freely without censorship or restrictions, as long as it's respectful and within our Terms and Conditions, of course ;)
Our rating system is open and honest, ensuring unbiased evaluations for all businesses on the platform. Learn more.
Personal details of reviewers are strictly confidential and hidden from everyone.
Our website is designed to be user-friendly, accessible, and absolutely free for everyone to use.