If you got a bill from Sunshine Biz Services – It’s a SCAM! The fake invoice looks like a real bill
The invoice is a fake renewal notice for annual website hosting. It shows a bill of $180 payable to “Sunshine Biz Services Inc.” It also says: “To pay with a credit card or to avoid receiving paper invoices in the future, please sign up for paperless billing at www.trendywebsolutions. com.”
Unsuspecting businesses may get an invoice like this and pay it – that’s what Sunshine Biz Services is hoping you do! Scams like this try to confuse people by sending these type of invoices knowing that people usually don’t read the fine print.
While this looks like a bill, it does say : “You are under no obligation to make any payments on account of this offer unless you accept this offer. This notice is not a bill, it is rather an easy means of payment should you decide to renew your web hosting with Sunshine Biz Services.”
But if they aren’t hosting your website to begin with how can you renew hosting with them? Trendy Web Solutions does have a website that appears to offer various hosting packages. But if any company is this shady – would anyone trust their business website to them?
If you try to call the phone number listed you will end up waiting through many prompts and the automated voice eventually says “This is a solicitation, goodbye!”
This particular scam has been around at least since 2015, according to a Reddit post.
According to the BBB
BBB Alert - Pattern of Complaints
BBB files contain a pattern of complaints from consumers that allege they received solicitation that looks like an invoice to be paid in the amount of $180.00.
On January 18th 2019, BBB sent correspondence to Sunshine Biz Services requesting their voluntary cooperation in providing steps it will implement to eliminate the pattern of customer complaints.
BBB will continue to monitor and update the company's report as needed.
What to do if you get a scam letter?
Tell the FTC: Because keeping consumers safe is a major part of their charge, report the scammers to the Federal Trade Commission. You can file a claim at ftc.gov/complaint.