BBB Warns Minnesotans About “White Van Speaker Scam”

The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota has issued a press release warning consumers about the return of a classic scheme known as the “white van speaker scam.”

The scam involves a person approaching potential victims in public spaces claiming to have valuable items - mainly electronics - that they’re willing to sell at a deep discount. Customers believe they’re getting a great deal until they get home and open the box only to find it contains sub-par products worth far less than what they paid.

In the press release Dana Badgerow, president and CEO of BBB of Minnesota and North Dakota, said, “Though everyone loves a deal, it’s important to always consider the source. Ask yourself how such people wound up with these products, why they’re selling them in a parking lot and what your recourse will be if the products prove to be shoddy, defective or cheap repackaged goods.”

The incident that triggered this warning occurred in Owatonna. The victim said they were approached in a parking lot by an individual claiming to work for Berlin Audio Designs out of the Twin Cities. The salesperson claimed they had an overstock of home theater equipment and offered to sell equipment supposedly worth $10,000 for $1,100. The price was only good on a cash basis. After paying $1,100 for the goods the victim took the packages home and discovered they contained only cheap speakers.

Badgerow finished with this advice, ”We’re advising people to not only avoid such suspect sellers, but to report them to local law enforcement. Police and city officials are always interested in situations which might involve stolen goods or individuals operating in their jurisdiction without a solicitor’s license.”