Austin Woman Faces Unexpected Trouble with Fake Business Using Home Address
AUSTIN, Texas – A woman living in Southwest Austin is facing unusual trouble after a fake business has started using her home address, leaving her and her fiancé to deal with confused customers ringing their doorbell.
The bizarre situation began for Leigh Ninke after her father passed away last year. According to her fiancé, Paul Wortham, it felt as if the announcement had attracted scammers looking for easy targets. “When she posted the obituary, it was like ringing the dinner bell for scammers,” Wortham remarked.
Shortly after her father’s passing, Ninke began receiving strange phone calls. Additionally, her Facebook account was hacked, and then a suspicious mailer showed up at their home. “It was from a credit card company that I’ve done business with for a very long time,” Ninke said. The mail was addressed to a seemingly non-existent A/C repair company but sent to their personal address. Wortham expressed his disbelief, saying, “I went, ‘are you kidding me right now?’”
The couple was flooded with mail for this nonexistent company, prompting them to look it up online. “And, sure enough, it shows our house and it shows our address,” Wortham said. This was just the beginning of their troubles.
Real Customers, Fake Business
As time passed, things took a turn for the bizarre when actual customers began showing up at their home seeking A/C repair services. “We had at least two people come up to the door wanting A/C repair,” Wortham recounted. The unexpected visitors were not confrontational but rather bewildered upon learning they had come to the wrong place. Wortham explained, “I have to explain to them, this isn’t a business. It’s a scam. And we’re trying to take care of it.”
Ninke shared her concerns regarding the unsettling experience. “It’s difficult because you never know when somebody comes to the front door. It’s almost a feeling of paranoia,” she said. The couple’s annoyance grew as they worried about the potential for identity theft. “It’s like a living nightmare,” Ninke stated, adding, “It almost paralyzes you because you’re thinking, okay, what’s at risk?”
Taking Financial Precautions
In light of their situation, Ninke has proactively alerted all their banks and credit card companies. Devin Benavides from the Better Business Bureau emphasized that what Ninke and Wortham are experiencing is indeed a crime: “If someone is using your home address as their business address, and it has nothing to do with you, and, on top of that, it’s not even a real business, that is absolutely illegal.”
Benavides advises individuals in similar situations to report the issue to the authorities. “With the use of fraudulent addresses on the rise, it’s important to safeguard your address where you can,” she added. This includes being cautious about what you share on social media.
The Need for Awareness
At present, Ninke has placed signs at her home stating, “We are not a business,” in hopes of deterring any further confusion. While visits from confused customers have toned down, Ninke still feels a sense of anger towards scammers taking advantage of vulnerable situations. “They’re trying to take advantage of anything they can. And I’m not going to tolerate that for a minute,” she exclaimed. “I’m over this. We’re not playing this game.”
Experts are urging consumers to be diligent by researching businesses before making financial commitments. Ninke’s experience highlights the importance of verifying the legitimacy of a company to avoid falling victim to scams. Individuals should always read reviews and ensure that the business is real before sharing personal information or making payments. Staying aware and informed is key to protecting oneself in today’s world.
