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BBB warns expecting mothers to watch out for gift cards from "Jenny B"

Better Business Bureau

  

The Better Business Bureau of West Michigan is warning people of a new scam that is targeting expecting mothers, and women who have just had a baby. According to the BBB, a company out of Utah called Mother’s Lounge, is targeting expecting mothers by sending gift cards in the mail that are signed by a woman known as “Jenny B." Mothers then use that gift card to shop for products that the company sells online. But here’s the catch:

The products are marked up higher than what they sell for at stores like Walmart, and the online company also tacks on a large shipping fee and the gift cards, don’t cover that whole amount. Meaning, mothers then have to pull out their own credit cards to cover the balance, all while being lured into buying over priced products, and paying a hefty shipping fee for them. 

Troy Baker is the communications manager of the Better Business Bureau of West Michigan

“It’s not clear whether it’s illegal, it is certainly deceptive," Baker said. "There is nothing within these that we’ve seen that actually identify who this is from and that this is a marketing technique and marketing material and not a card from your friend Jenny. That’s what they’re playing on, they’re playing on confusing consumers into thinking this is a card meant for them and not marketing material.”

Even more deceiving, the envelope is doctored to make it appear that the return address sticker has fallen off, leaving expectant mothers to guess as to who Jenny B is.

Baker says the company currently has an ‘F” rating with the Better Business Bureau.

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