BBB issues list of dirty dozen business

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) -

The Better Business Bureau announced on Thursdayits annual "Dirty Dozen" list of area businesses with the most unanswered complaints in 2013.

Last year, consumers filed 13,993 complaints with the BBB against businesses in the Southern Piedmont area of N.C. and S.C.

"In 2013, the BBB resolved a record-high 90 percent of complaints because the majority of businesses worked with us to address customer issues," said BBB President Tom Bartholomy. "Unfortunately though, there are businesses that don't respond to complaints at all, and those businesses are the ones that have made our Dirty Dozen list."

The top two companies with the most unanswered complaints are collection agencies that specialize in collecting payday loans taken out online.

"Payday lending is a brand new market for debt collectors," said Bartholomy, "but the debt collectors are still required to adhere to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act."

Two businesses on the BBB's 2013 Dirty Dozen list were also on the 2012 Dirty Dozen List. "One of these businesses has been on our list three times," said Bartholomy.

"When companies don't respond to complaints, they usually don't stay in business very long because consumers are doing their homework and checking businesses out," Bartholomy added. "However, some businesses, like Home Appliance Repair, repeatedly change their name and use aliases to make it difficult for consumers to find out about their complaint record."

The top 12 businesses with the most unanswered complaints from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013 are:

1.PDL Recovery Services (BBB Grade F) - Charlotte-based PDL Recovery Services is a debt collector that specializes in collecting payday loans taken out online. PDL Recovery Services had 21 unanswered complaints in 2013 and 22 total complaints in the last 36 months. Complainants from 19 states allege that PDL collectors used harassing and threatening tactics in violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act which included: 1) calling repeatedly, 2) contacting their employers to tell them that the person is going to be arrested, and 3) impersonating law enforcement personnel. Complainants also allege that PDL did not provide requested documentation to prove that the debt was valid.

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BBB issues list of dirty dozen business