They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Yet I’m more annoyed than flattered.
Someone has been calling small businesses around the United States pretending to be TRG Marketing. Apparently, they offer to “get leads” for just a couple hundred dollars. A credit card swipe is all that’s required.
We know this because several business owners have contacted us. They smelled a rat and wanted to let us know. We’re grateful they reached out.
Unfortunately, the scammers get belligerent, too. I feel badly for those who have been on the receiving end of aggressive, unkind, high-pressure tactics.
My colleague, Jacob Werre, wrote about this recently and placed a banner on our website to help people know that we’re not the ones soliciting them. But I wanted to also emphasize—especially to anyone who has been harassed—that we have nothing to do with the people impersonating us.
We are working with law enforcement and hope these fakes can be brought to justice. In the meantime, I’ll leave you with a few impressions:
- Our world can be both beautiful and dark. Let’s work together against anything that is dishonest or harms people
- We’ve all been taught that if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. That applies very much to the marketing realm. Don’t fall for fakery, even claims that aren’t illegal
- TRG Marketing does help create leads for our clients; however, we don’t do it with the swipe of a credit card. We do it the right way, through the consistent, professional building of reputations—and the websites, social media, digital advertising and other tactics that support those reputations
- Success can make you a target. Apparently, the charlatans are telling victims to check out our lofty Google reviews, which are all 5-star except for those left by people who didn’t realize they were being harassed by someone else. It’s frustrating but no matter the consequences we are going to keep doing great things for our clients and community. We’ll also give thanks for the many sensible people out there who can see through the sad fakery of a call center, wherever it may be
If anyone out there has been victimized, please call us. We, and law enforcement, are interested in your experience.
