National Advertising Division Finds Certain WhatsApp Express Claims Supported; WhatsApp Appeals NAD Recommendation to Discontinue or Modify Unsupported Claims
New York, NY – October 12, 2022 – CTIA represents the U.S. wireless communications industry, including carriers and equipment manufacturers. CITA members, which include AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Nokia, Intel, Qualcomm, Ericsson, and others, challenged WhatsApp claims that appear in a television commercial titled “Doubt Delivered.”
The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs determined that WhatsApp, LLC provided a reasonable basis for express claims for its WhatsApp messaging service analogizing SMS text messages to “open mail” and that WhatsApp did not overstate the vulnerability of SMS text messages compared to end-to-end encrypted messaging.
However, NAD found WhatsApp communicated certain other implied messages that NAD recommended discontinued or modified to better reflect the evidence, including that wireless carriers are careless; that they read user’s personal text messages; and that “Consumers must switch to a specialized app like WhatsApp to protect their messages from pervasive eavesdropping.” WhatsApp will appeal these portions of NAD’s decision.
NAD has long recognized that although humor can be an effective and creative way for advertisers to highlight the differences between their products and those of their competitors, humor and hyperbole do not relieve an advertiser of the obligation to support messages that their advertisements might reasonably convey.
At issue for NAD was whether the challenged commercial conveyed the misleading message that carriers and third parties routinely read private text messages and whether it disparages the practices, care, and ethics of wireless carriers.
Express Claims
NAD considered whether WhatsApp’s analogy between SMS text messages and “open mail” was supported or whether it overstated the vulnerability of SMS text messages to being compromised as compared with end-to-end encrypted messaging. After reviewing the evidence presented by WhatsApp, NAD concluded that it provided a reasonable basis for the advertiser’s “open mail” claims that:
- “Text messages are just like open pieces of mail, they’re all open.”
- “Every text message that individuals send is just as open as opened letters.”
Implied Claims
NAD considered whether the challenged commercial conveyed implied claims that improperly disparaged wireless carriers and that consumers must switch to WhatsApp to protect their messages from pervasive eavesdropping. NAD determined that the challenged commercial conveyed the implied messages that:
- Wireless carriers, routinely and without consequences, read user’s personal text messages; and
- Consumers must switch to a specialized app like WhatsApp to protect their messages from pervasive eavesdropping.
In so finding, NAD noted that “Doubt Delivered” goes beyond merely highlighting the differences between the advertiser’s product and that of its competitors but instead takes aim at the quality of competing messaging services and at the practices of the providers themselves. NAD found that the overarching takeaway of the commercial is one of casual and persistent snooping on the recipient’s mail – a message that comes through despite – and perhaps even because of – the commercial’s use of humor and hyperbole.
Further, NAD concluded that the commercial conveys the disparaging message that wireless carriers are careless with their customer’s communications.
Because the advertiser did not provide a reasonable basis for these implied claims, NAD recommended that they be discontinued or modified to better reflect the evidence.
NAD found that “Doubt Delivered” did not reasonably convey the challenged implied claims that:
- All messages will be read by wireless carriers.
- The content of text messages is collected by wireless carriers for their own purposes.
- Wireless carriers are dishonest.
In its advertiser statement, WhatsApp stated that it “respectfully disagrees with NAD’s conclusions with respect to certain of the alleged implied claims and will appeal those portions of NAD’s decision.”
Appeals of NAD decisions are made to BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Review Board (NARB), the appellate-level truth-in-advertising body of BBB National Programs.
All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library. For the full text of NAD, NARB, and CARU decisions, subscribe to the online archive.
About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs is where businesses turn to enhance consumer trust and consumers are heard. The non-profit organization creates a fairer playing field for businesses and a better experience for consumers through the development and delivery of effective third-party accountability and dispute resolution programs. Embracing its role as an independent organization since the restructuring of the Council of Better Business Bureaus in June 2019, BBB National Programs today oversees more than a dozen leading national industry self-regulation programs, and continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-directed marketing, and privacy. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org.
About the National Advertising Division: The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs provides independent self-regulation and dispute resolution services, guiding the truthfulness of advertising across the U.S. NAD reviews national advertising in all media and its decisions set consistent standards for advertising truth and accuracy, delivering meaningful protection to consumers and leveling the playing field for business.
Contact Information
Name: Abby Hills
Email: press@bbbnp.org
Job Title: Director of Communications
Edvisors® Releases 2023–2024 FAFSA Guide and Other Resources
LAS VEGAS, NV (Oct. 11, 2022)—Edvisors is releasing its FAFSA resources for the 2023-2024 academic year to guide students and families through the 2023-2024 FAFSA. Edvisors informational FAFSA resources have been used by thousands of students each year, and this year we are excited to bring back the downloadable version of the Edvisors’ 2023-2024 FAFSA Guide, and a new FAFSA video walkthrough to help students and their families.
“Millions of families look to complete the application every year, and each year we strive to provide the resources they need to get through the application process,” explains Elaine Rubin, Director of Corporate Communications at Edvisors. “We heard from our site visitors that they missed the downloadable format of the guide. We are thrilled to bring back this trusted resource to help students.”
Inside the 2023-2024 FAFSA Guide, students can find information regarding:
- FAFSA deadlines
- Reporting demographic information
- Determining your FAFSA Parent
- Reporting income and assets
- Dependency status, and
- How to submit the form
In addition to the downloadable guide, students can use additional Edvisor resources to help them through the application that include:
- Articles and blogs discussing the FAFSA and explaining common areas of confusion
- A FAFSA video walkthrough of the application
- Tips and Advice, and
- Frequently asked questions
You can find our downloadable Edvisors’ 2023-2024 FAFSA Guide and a link to the FAFSA video walkthrough at https://www.edvisors.com/student-loans/fafsa/fafsa-guide/.
For all other Edvisors’ FAFSA resources, please go to https://www.edvisors.com/student-loans/fafsa/
About Edvisors: For 20 years we have been known as one of the largest and most trusted resources to help students find their path to success. Everyone needs to find their own path, and we know that first-hand. We work to provide information from both our professional and personal experiences, to help individuals through college and beyond. Every year, millions of students and their families turn to the company’s flagship site, Edvisors.com, for timely, accurate information, advice and tools that help them confidently make the best decisions about paying for college. Additionally, Edvisors owns ScholarshipPoints.com, where students earn points to enter scholarship drawings (the site has awarded over $1 million to date); PrivateStudentLoans.com, which helps borrowers find private loan solutions during school and in the refinancing stage. Founded in 1998, Edvisors is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. More information can be found at www.edvisors.com.
Contact Information
Name: Elaine Rubin
Email: press@edvisors.com
Job Title: Director of Corporate Communications
BBB National Programs’ Statement on Executive Order to Implement the European Union-U.S. Data Privacy Framework
McLean, VA – October 07, 2022 – Dona Fraser, BBB National Programs’ Senior Vice President, Privacy Initiatives, issued the following statement today on the Biden Administration’s Executive Order to implement U.S. commitments under the European Union-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (EU-US DPF):
“At BBB National Programs, we commend the White House, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and their counterparts in the European Commission for lifting the cloud of uncertainty that has been hanging over Privacy Shield for more than two years. As the longest-running Independent Recourse Mechanism (IRM) provider, the first recognized under Privacy Shield, trusted for more than 20 years by businesses of all sizes, we view this formal commitment to the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework as a huge milestone for the seven trillion-dollar transatlantic economy.
For the more than 5,000 Privacy Shield businesses that recognize the value of accountability and rely on the Privacy Shield Framework for the transfer of personal data from the EU to the U.S., the specifics outlined in this Executive Order do present questions.
We want those businesses to know that BBB National Programs and our Global Privacy Division continue to operate BBB EU Privacy Shield, our first-class IRM that assists our participating businesses in meeting their obligations while continuing to provide independent and free redress for EU data subjects with privacy complaints.
We are also ready to ensure that businesses that have opted to remain self-certified to Privacy Shield – demonstrating their dedication to compliance, business continuity, and consumer recourse – will experience a smooth transition to the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework Principles. In addition, we welcome those businesses who have chosen to pause their Privacy Shield self-certification back into our program.
Read the White House Executive Order and fact sheet. Learn more about the BBB National Programs Global Privacy Division here.
About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs is where businesses turn to enhance consumer trust and consumers are heard. The non-profit organization creates a fairer playing field for businesses and a better experience for consumers through the development and delivery of effective third-party accountability and dispute resolution programs. BBB National Programs oversees more than a dozen leading national industry self-regulation programs, and continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-directed marketing, dispute resolution, automobile warranty, privacy, and emerging areas. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org.
About BBB National Programs Global Privacy Division: BBB National Programs Global Privacy Division helps businesses show their partners and customers that they put privacy first, no matter where they operate. Our programs serve as key elements of the Cross-Border Privacy Rules and Privacy Shield frameworks, bridging gaps between divergent privacy and data protection regimes. By embracing our independent accountability mechanisms, participating businesses strengthen standards for data privacy and enhance consumer trust in the digital marketplace.
Contact Information
Name: Abby Hills
Email: press@bbbnp.org
Job Title: Director of Communications
MICHELIN Guide Honors the Finest Dining in New York
• Inspectors find 19 new MICHELIN-Starred eateries in the Big Apple, including two with two Stars
• 73 restaurants achieve MICHELIN-Star status – five with three Stars
• 18 new Bib Gourmand restaurants make the list
NEW YORK, Oct. 6, 2022 — Seventy-three restaurants received MICHELIN-Star status in the 2022 MICHELIN® Guide New York selection – including 19 awarded Stars for the first time, headlined by Al Coro and Saga earning two Stars.
Five restaurants in the selection retained their three-MICHELIN-Star distinctions.
“New York’s culinary landscape is definitely back on its feet, growing bigger and bigger, proposing more and more innovative offers, ready to achieve new challenges and to reach higher success,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides. “We’re also pleased to honor all restaurant teams for their hard work, resilience and unfailing creativity. With 465 restaurants in this 2022 selection, including no less than 62 different cuisine types, from Bib Gourmand to Starred eateries, we have absolutely no doubt that every food lover will find their own tailor-made gem and will experience not only a thrilling, fascinating and dynamic Big Apple, but also, a fabulously tasty one!”
Here are the new MICHELIN-Starred restaurants, with inspector notes from each (inspector comments in full on the MICHELIN Guide website and mobile app):
Two MICHELIN Stars
Al Coro (Chelsea; Italian cuisine)
Chef Melissa Rodriguez is back at this long-awaited spot. The dining room sets the stage for a kitchen that dances behind the curtain, reveling in the unexpected and sidestepping tradition for a fixed menu of modern Italian dishes with subtle nods to New York.
Saga (Financial District; Contemporary cuisine)
Saga is the crown of 70 Pine Street, a landmark tower that rises over 60 stories. Chef James Kent never allows his cuisine to be overshadowed by the setting, however.
Along with his talented team, he presents diners with compositions that embrace luxury, seasonality and urbane inspiration.
One MICHELIN Star
63 Clinton (Lower East Side; Contemporary cuisine)
Under the calm leadership of Chef Samuel Clonts, 63 Clinton is anything but ordinary. In fact, diners can expect a wonderful and surprising meal with an eye toward finesse.
Clover Hill (Brooklyn Heights; Contemporary cuisine)
On a quiet, residential street in Brooklyn Heights, talented Chef Charlie Mitchell cooks with irresistible suaveness and confidence, making the most out of top-rate ingredients, delicious sauces and thoughtful combinations.
Dirt Candy (Lower East Side; Vegetarian cuisine)
Chef Amanda Cohen was an advocate of vegetable- and plant-based cooking long before it was cool, and her Lower East Side flagship continues to flourish as a pioneer in ethical eating with refined technique. A single tasting menu yields a breadth of dishes that never masquerade as meat.
Frevo (Greenwich Village; Contemporary cuisine)
Frevo is that rare restaurant that flies just under the radar but deserves to be in the spotlight, as Chef Franco Sampogna and his team have serious résumés. It’s a tasting-menu-only spot that doubles as a gallery. The small scale only adds to its exclusivity. Watch as the crew plates contemporary French dishes with a keen eye toward texture.
Icca (Tribeca; Japanese/Sushi cuisine)
Chef counters are a treat, but a seat in front of Chef Kazushige Suzuki feels like a best-kept secret. The room has a presence of its own, notable in scale and hidden away in the back past a cocktail bar. The chef sources fish entirely from Japan and keeps his nigiri traditional.
Joomak Banjum (Midtown West; Asian cuisine)
What started out as a homegrown pop-up has evolved into this handsome, brick-and- mortar operation at the edge of Koreatown. Chef Jiho Kim and pastry maven Kelly Nam merge global flavors on their approachable tasting that riffs on familiar dishes like jajangmyeon, made here with squid ink-sourdough noodles.
L’Abeille (Tribeca; French cuisine)
Chef Mitsunobu Nagae is a calm, collected presence in the open kitchen, and years spent working at Joël Robuchon restaurants worldwide are evident. A harmonious union of French cooking with Japanese sensibilities, Nagae’s food is immediately approachable.
Le Pavillon (Midtown East; French cuisine)
Chef Daniel Boulud has done it again, fashioning a room that makes the well-heeled feel right at home. Chefs Michael Balboni and Will Nacev head the kitchen which skillfully prepares a contemporary, globally inflected carte dominated by seafood and vegetable-focused items.
Mari (Midtown West; Korean cuisine)
Mari, which means “roll” in Korean, is Hell’s Kitchen’s latest destination from talented Chef Sungchul Shim, who made a name for himself at Kochi, just down the street.
The chef reimagines the hand roll genre as a tasting menu primed with top-notch ingredients and Korean flavors.
Noz 17 (Chelsea; Japanese/Sushi cuisine)
This little den is helmed by Chef Junichi Matsuzaki, and the chef’s precise, seasonally driven omakase offers an array of robust otsumami, sashimi and nigiri.
Oiji Mi (Gramercy; Korean cuisine)
Practice does make perfect, evidenced by Chef Brian Kim and his team, who honed their modern Korean cuisine at the now-shuttered Oiji before moving uptown to open Oiji Mi. This time, they’ve delivered a notch above, with a sleek space attended to by a fleet of staff. There is a refinement and a more subtle approach to flavors on this five-course prix fixe menu.
One White Street (Tribeca; Contemporary cuisine)
This 19th-century townhouse has been transformed into a destination of culinary excellence, thanks to Chef Austin Johnson and Master Sommelier Dustin Wilson. The lower level operates more like a wine bar with a casual menu and crowds aplenty, while the higher floors offer a seasonal tasting menu starring products sourced from their upstate farm.
Red Paper Clip (Greenwich Village; Contemporary cuisine)
Blue Hill at Stone Barns alum Chef Kevin Chen made a name for himself with a series of pop-ups before establishing this stylish Asian-leaning delight. The team’s steadfast commitment to local farms is the cornerstone of this kitchen, and seasonal dishes showcase the young chef’s Taiwanese heritage and Queens upbringing through a fine- dining lens.
Semma (Greenwich Village; Indian cuisine)
Chef Vijay Kumar, most recently of San Francisco’s Rasa, switched coasts to run the show at Semma, where regional south Indian cuisine is on full display.
Shion 69 Leonard Street (Tribeca; Japanese/Sushi cuisine)
Now under the command of Chef Shion Uino, this quiet sushi-ya features prized, beautiful seafood sourced primarily from Japan. The product is whole and luscious every time, which is all the more reason why the nigiri sees little beyond a dot of wasabi and dab of nikiri.
Torien (Greenwich Village; Japanese/Yakitori cuisine)
This sibling to Torishiki in Tokyo arrives to NYC by way of NoHo. Chef/owner Yoshiteru Ikegawa may be found working his skills like a master pianist — turning, fanning, saucing and brushing. It’s a pristine workspace, and the menu is a tribute to the yakitori tradition.
Yoshino (East Village; Japanese/Sushi cuisine)
Revered Tokyo chef Tadashi “Edowan” Yoshida has landed in NYC. Dinner here serves up an element of theater, so much so that diners will find themselves leaning forward to absorb every detail. The main event though just might be the nigiri.
Bib Gourmands
The MICHELIN Guide inspectors added 18 restaurants to the Bib Gourmand list, which recognizes eateries for great food at a great value: Antoya, Chick Chick, Chutney Masala, Covacha, Dhamaka, Dumpling Lab, Jiang Nan, Le Fanfare, Porcelain, Rolo’s, Runner Up, Sami & Susu, Sobre Masa, Soda Club, Szechuan Gourmet, TVB by: Pax Romana, Yellow Rose and Zaab Zaab.
Special Awards
In addition to the Bib Gourmands and Stars, the Guide announced five special awards:
The MICHELIN Guide New York Selection:
The MICHELIN Guide Star Revelation event is presented with the support of Capital One.
The full New York selection is available free of charge on the MICHELIN Guide website and app. The restaurants join the MICHELIN Guide selection of hotels, which features the most unique and exciting places to stay in New York and throughout the world.
Every hotel in the Guide is chosen for its extraordinary style, service, and personality — with options for all budgets — and each hotel can be booked directly through the MICHELIN Guide website and app. The selection for New York currently features the city’s most spectacular hotels, including sustainability pioneers like the Standard High Line, standouts from our “Plus” collection like the Whitby and the Maritime, resurrected legends like the Hotel Chelsea, new fascinations like Nine Orchard, and the best of the outer boroughs, like the Wythe Hotel in Brooklyn and the Boro Hotel in Queens.
The MICHELIN Guide is a benchmark in gastronomy. Now it’s setting a new standard for hotels. Visit the MICHELIN Guide website, or download the free app for iOS and Android, to discover every restaurant in the selection and book an unforgettable hotel.
New York’s 2022 Starred Establishments
Watch LIVE on Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern as chefs and restaurant teams receive their awards at the MICHELIN Guide Star Revelation event!
New York’s 2022 Bib Gourmands
About Michelin North America, Inc.
Michelin, the leading mobility company, is working with tires, around tires and beyond tires to enable Motion for Life. Dedicated to enhancing its clients’ mobility and sustainability, Michelin designs and distributes the most suitable tires, services and solutions for its customers’ needs. Michelin provides digital services, maps and guides to help enrich trips and travels and make them unique experiences. Bringing its expertise to new markets, the company is investing in high-technology materials, 3D printing and hydrogen, to serve a wide a variety of industries — from aerospace to biotech.
Headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, Michelin North America has approximately 22,500 employees and operates 34 production facilities in the United States and Canada. (michelinman.com)
About Capital One
At Capital One we’re on a mission for our customers – bringing them best-in-class products, rewards, service, and experiences. Capital One is a diversified bank that offers products and services to individuals, small businesses and commercial clients. We use technology, innovation, and interaction to provide consumers with products and services to meet their needs. Through Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment, we provide our rewards cardholders with access to unforgettable experiences in the areas they’re passionate about, including dining, music and sports.
Learn more at capitalone.com/dining and capitalone.com/entertainment.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Festa
Michelin North America
andrew.festa@michelin.com
Devon Gunn
Capital One
devon.gunn@capitalone.com
Phone: 571-308-4762
National Car Care Month: Michelin Shares Tips for Keeping Americans’ Old Cars Running Like New
As global supply chain shortages continue to squeeze the market, stretching the life of an existing vehicle has never been more important.
October 5, Greenville, SC — The average length of time U.S. car owners keep their vehicles is 12 years – and it’s a trend that is on the rise. Due to ongoing supply chain issues, especially shortages in semiconductors that aren’t likely to be resolved for another year, availability of new cars is shockingly low. According to data released by Cox Automotive, new car inventory at the end of July was 1.07 million vehicles vs. 3.69 million at the end of July 2019. This is more than a 70% a decrease in the availability of new vehicles in the last few years.
“The reality is that you may need to keep your current car longer than expected. In today’s market conditions, you may even find that the value of your vehicle is going up. Give it the care it deserves to extend its life and ensure your journeys are safe and efficient for as long as you have it,” said Russell Shepherd, Technical Communications Director for Michelin North America. “October, which is also National Fall Car Care Month, is the perfect time to take some basic steps for keeping your car in tip-top shape and ready for the winter ahead.”
To help stretch Americans’ investments in their current vehicles, Shepherd, on behalf of Michelin North America recommends the following must-do maintenance tips:
• Check the Battery. As the weather gets colder, your battery capacity will decrease. Before the winter months, visit a mechanic to make sure it is working at peak performance. You can also get a free battery check at many auto parts stores.
• Maintain Your Tires. Are your tires properly inflated? Not only are underinflated tires a safety hazard, but they also decrease fuel efficiency and lower tire life expectancy. Shepherd recommends that tires be checked at least once a month and warns drivers against relying on the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). By the time that light comes on, your tires could potentially be underinflated by 25%. At this level, it can dramatically increase the risk of tire failure. Don’t forget to check the tread, too, which is simple to do with the Penny Test. “If you find yourself in the market for new tires, shop for your needs and remember all tires are not created equal. The new Michelin Defender 2, for example, has been designed to deliver an additional two years of tread life compared to leading competitors[1], making it a great option for anyone looking to maximize longevity,” explains Shepherd.
• Don’t Ignore the Engine Light. When this dashboard light comes on, it’s time to take action – even if your car seems to be running smoothly. Check it out before a small problem becomes a big and expensive one. You can avoid many common issues through routine maintenance, such as regularly replacing air filters and following the recommended oil change schedule. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, tuning a neglected vehicle could increase fuel efficiency by up to 4% on average, based on the repair type and quality.
• Watch Your Wipers. Impaired vision while driving is a safety hazard, and it’s a problem that can emerge quickly during a sudden heavy rainstorm if your wipers are worn. Regularly check – and if needed, replace – your headlights and brake lights, too.
• Wash and Wax: A thorough wash and wax will help your older car look newer longer, and it’s especially important heading into wintertime. Driving can cause buildup of road grime and debris, and that can affect your car’s paint and finish. If not managed properly, it can lead to rust and other serious problems. Plus, a clean car stretches that pride of ownership.
“While you may be ready for a new car, there may not be one ready for you. In the meantime, by keeping your existing vehicle pristine, you’ll have a better driving experience and bolster your trade-in value should the perfect new car become available,” said Shepherd.
[1] Based on U.S. Department of Transportation Average Annual Miles per driver (13,500 miles) and Desrosiers Automotive Consultants estimate of annual average kilometers driven in Canada (23,000 km), and on a treadwear test using tires in size 225/65R17 on 2021 Toyota RAV4s where the MICHELIN® Defender®2 showed an estimated life (based on calculating the most-worn groove of a rotated set) of 94,400 miles versus the Bridgestone® Alenza® AS Ultra at 47,700 miles and the Continental® TrueContact™ Tour at 59,400 miles and the Goodyear® Assurance® MaxLife™ at 51,900 miles. Actual on-road results may vary.
Contact Information:
Name: Christian Fisher
Email: christian.fisher@michelin.com
Job Title: Consumer Public Relations Manager – Michelin North America
Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council Refers Fifth Avenue Collection Earnings Claims to the Federal Trade Commission for Possible Enforcement Action
McLean, VA – October 5, 2022 – The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) of BBB National Programs referred certain Fifth Avenue Collection, Inc. earnings claims to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for possible enforcement action after the multi-level direct selling company selling jewelry products failed to respond to DSSRC’s inquiry.
At issue in DSSRC’s inquiry are earnings claims disseminated by salesforce members on social media implying that participating in the company’s business opportunity will result in earning significant, career-level income.
The earnings claims in question were brought to the company’s attention by DSSRC as part of its ongoing independent monitoring of the direct selling marketplace. The Fifth Avenue Collection earnings claims in question include, but are not limited to:
- Need extra
; Need a first income?; Need a second income?” - “Whether you want a little extra mad money
or a full-time income, the opportunities are endless!” - “What would you do with an extra $200, $600, or $800/month? Or even more!
Ask me how you can earn a great income with Fifth Avenue Collection
” - “This past year I have tripled my income working this business from home…so has my Team…Some gals work a full-time job and do this as a side hustle…What would you do with an extra $500 or more a month?”
- “My husband and I were 3 months married working full time jobs. We were looking for a tax advantage and to make extra income. Along came Fifth Avenue – Beautiful Jewellery! The jewellery sold itself and in the first year of the business I tripled my full time income. 29 years later still loving what I do and make an average $100.00 an hour.”
- “What would you do with an extra $500/month?”
- “How about easing the stress of how to pay the bills, financial freedom, save for a vacation, just less stress?… and you start earning $$$ right away! It’s easy, fun & and instantly profitable!”
- “Being a Fifth Avenue Collection Jewelry Stylist allows me to have financial freedom whilst having fun and meeting new people all at once. You could have the same opportunities with a small investment of only $55! #financialfreedom”
- “What would you do with an extra $500 a month!? ‘Everyday is Payday’ at Fifth Avenue Collection! We have an amazing business opportunity for only $75 and your start earning $$$ right away!”
- “Everyday is payday with Fifth Avenue Collection! What would you do with an extra $500 a month?! Start now for only $75!”
- “I LOVE the freedom to increase my earnings, there is no ceiling!”
- “Could you use $500 a month? This is for yourself or know someone trying to make ends meet or someone looking to make extra
send them my way! 
” - “Fifth Avenue Collection jewelry has changed my life so much over the past 13 years. Before Fifth Avenue, I was a shy girl who worked a lonely full-time job. That has totally changed with the help of Fifth Avenue’s mandate of “people helping people”. With a much higher income than before, working only part time hours that I set, I have time to spend with family and friends, especially my grandbabies. #fulltime #partime #youdecide”
- “Save for a vacation, pay for your children’s activities, cover bills & other expenses, your Plan B !?! the possibilities are endless! If you know someone trying to make ends meet or someone looking to make extra send them my way! ”
- “an income that covers as many bills as I need”
DSSRC expressed its concern that such earnings claims convey the message that participants in the company’s business opportunity can generally expect to earn significant and career-level income.
The company was first sent a Notice of Inquiry from DSSRC in June 2022, to which the company did not respond. After several additional attempts to contact various individuals at the company, the company failed to respond to DSSRC’s inquiry and provide substantiation for the claims.
In accordance with DSSRC’s Policies and Procedures, if a company does not respond to DSSRC or declines to participate, DSSRC will issue a case decision indicating the company was unresponsive or declined to participate in the DSSRC process and refer the matter to the appropriate government agency. Moreover, according to section (V)(B) of the DSSRC Policies and Procedures, if the subject company fails to submit a responsive statement, DSSRC may refer the matter to an appropriate government agency for review and possible law enforcement action. Accordingly, based upon the company’s failure to respond to DSSRC in the self-regulatory process, DSSRC referred this matter to the FTC.
All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library. For the full text of DSSRC decisions, visit the DSSRC Cases and Closures webpage.
About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs is where businesses turn to enhance consumer trust and consumers are heard. The non-profit organization creates a fairer playing field for businesses and a better experience for consumers through the development and delivery of effective third-party accountability and dispute resolution programs. Embracing its role as an independent organization since the restructuring of the Council of Better Business Bureaus in June 2019, BBB National Programs today oversees more than a dozen leading national industry self-regulation programs, and continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-directed marketing, and privacy. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org.
About the Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council: The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC), a division of BBB National Programs, provides independent, impartial monitoring, dispute resolution, and enforcement of false product claims and income representations made by direct selling companies and their salesforce members across digital platforms. The DSSRC seeks to establish high standards of integrity and business ethics for all direct selling companies in the marketplace.
Contact Information
Name: Abby Hills
Email: press@bbbnp.org
Job Title: Director of Communications