Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/24/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Local Search Group contacted me and told me there was a problem with my ****** Business Page and that i had to contact them.I have the *************** i reached out to what i thought was ****** and the lady said the free listing wouldn't get me good placement online to pay a one time $400 fee which i ****** working out in the field it sounded legit but upon a bit of research these people deceive people saying they are directly working with ****** but they are third ******** im demanding a full refund to my credit card immediately.Please advise and im calling my credit card to dispute the charge and show proof of these thieves actions.*** ****** **********

  Business Response

  Date: 04/25/2025

  Hi ***,

  Thanks for reaching out.

  We took the time to review your account and the situation carefully. We also want to point out a few important details for clarity.

  First, we want to be transparent in saying that you never gave us a chance to respond to you prior to your complaint with the BBB or your chargeback through your bank, seeing you emailed us AFTER hours yesterday. Unfortunately, once a chargeback is filed, we are no longer able to process a refund on our end. At that point, it becomes entirely between you and your bank or card issuer to resolve. We respect that process and will be cooperating fully with your banks investigation. 

  That said, we did pull the call recording from your interaction with our team. At no point did any agent state or imply that we are directly affiliated with ******. In fact, our agents are trained specifically not to make that claim. Furthermore, you reviewed and signed our purchase agreement, which clearly outlines who we are and our relationship to ******. We do not mislead or deceive our customers.

  Weve worked with over ****** customers and take integrity seriously. Were always happy to address concerns promptly, but in this case, we were not even given the opportunity to respond before formal complaints and a chargeback were initiated.

  If you or the BBB have any further questions or would like a copy of your signed agreement, were happy to provide that.

  Sincerely,

  The Team at Local Search Group

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/25/2025

   
  Complaint: 23248190
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *** Storey    I have the original recording of the solicitation stating this was from ****** Business so you guys are just master manipulaters but you sent an email stating your refunding the $399 so if thats the case were done,go annoy someone else.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/25/2025

  Hi ***,

  Thanks for the follow-up.

  Just to clarify, the refund email you received was sent PRIOR to us being made aware that you had already filed a chargeback through your bank and submitted a complaint to the BBB. Once a chargeback is initiated, the transaction is frozen on our end and were no longer able to issue a refund directly. At that point, the matter must be resolved between you and your bank.

  We have a responsibility to protect our merchant account and will be fully cooperating with your bank during their investigation. That includes providing them with the original call recording and the signed agreement you completed - both of which confirm that our company never claimed to be ******, nor did we misrepresent ourselves in any way.

  We remain committed to transparency and integrity, and its important to note again that we were NEVER given the opportunity to respond to your concerns before formal actions were taken on your part.

  While we respect your right to dispute the charge, well be allowing your bank to make the final determination.

  Let us know if your bank requests anything further - were happy to provide whatevers needed.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/25/2025

   
  Complaint: 23248190
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *** ****** There was no chargeback from my credit card as it is still pending so impossible to chargeback until processed.Seems your looking for a loophole to steal from people unbelievable!

  Business Response

  Date: 04/25/2025

  Hi ***,

  Thanks for the clarification.

  To be clear, even if your chargeback is currently pending, once its filed with your bank, the funds are effectively locked from our side until the bank completes their investigation. This isnt a loophole - its standard banking procedure for all merchants and consumers.

  At this point, we have no ability to issue a direct refund because the bank is now handling the transaction. As mentioned earlier, we are fully cooperating with your banks investigation by providing the necessary documentation, including the call recording and your signed agreement.

  Had you simply waited for us to contact you, this could have been resolved already - but here we are. Were still following the correct process to ensure everything is handled fairly and transparently. Once your bank concludes their review, they will make the final decision regarding the charge.

  Sincerely,

  The Team at Local Search Group

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/08/2025

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *** ******

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/08/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Claimed to be ****** and that they could help verify my ****** business page. Ultimately, they are a separate marketing agency for SEO etc. and claimed to be employed by ******. They are in no way affiliated with ****** and are taking advantage of my small business along with others. I would like a refund of my $399.99 for using false information as a sales tactic.

  Business Response

  Date: 03/10/2025

  We appreciate the opportunity to address this concern. Our company operates with transparency and integrity, and we take any claims of misrepresentation seriously.
  
  Upon reviewing the call in question, we found that at no time did any of our representatives claim to be ****** or to work for ******. Our team clearly identifies itself as an independent marketing agency that provides SEO and business listing services. We regret any misunderstanding that may have occurred.
  
  Regarding the refund request, the customer initially emailed us on Friday at 10:50 AM, and subsequently called at 2:33 PM the same day. As per our standard process, the refund was already being processed before the customers ******************** complaint was filed. Refunds typically take 3 to 5 business days to reflect in the customers account, depending on their financial institution. 
  
  If the customer is satisfied with the resolution, we would appreciate their consideration in updating or removing this complaint, as we have addressed the issue promptly and in good faith.
  
  We are committed to customer satisfaction and have already taken the necessary steps to resolve this matter by processing the refund. We kindly ask the customer to allow the standard processing time for the refund to be completed.
  
  If there are any further concerns, we are happy to assist directly.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/10/2025

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* ***

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/06/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  The Transaction was on Nov 11, 24 Paid $399.99 Nov 12, 24 Paid an additional $799.98 December 2024 Paid $199.99 and January 2025 I paid another $199.99. I did sign up for 1 year of service to take care of making my ****** Page look good and also be at the top in my area. Due to financial issues and my health, I have asked for them to cancel my subscription. Also, I have seen absolutely on activity on my ****** site except for the changes I made myself.I called them 3 days in a row asking to speak to a man name ****. I was told that he would call me back or email me each time I reached out. I tried explaining my financial issues and they could care less just saying I signed a 1 year agreement. At this point I feel like I should be given a full refund as they have not worked on my ****** site. I hope you will be able to assist me with this problem. I expect another charge on my account for Feb 2025 of $199.99. Thank you, **** ******-**** ****** Page (Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty - **** ******-****)

  Business Response

  Date: 02/10/2025

  Dear BBB,
  We appreciate the opportunity to respond to the complaint from Ms. **** *********** regarding her marketing services contract with Local Search Group. While we understand that customers may have concerns, we respectfully disagree with the assertions made in this complaint. Below is a point-by-point response to clarify the facts of the situation.
  
  1. Reason for Cancellation
  Ms. *********** states that she requested to cancel due to financial and health issues and that we showed no empathy for her situation. However, our internal records indicate that the reason she provided at the time of cancellation was that she had decided to work with another company. There was no mention of health or financial concerns during these discussions.
  Furthermore, if financial or health concerns were truly the primary reason for cancellation, it is unclear why she has chosen to continue similar services with another provider. Given this, it appears she may have been advised on what to say in her BBB complaint to justify breaking her contractual agreement.
  
  2. Activity and Performance of the Service
  Ms. *********** claims that there has been "absolutely no activity" on her ****** page except for changes she made herself. However, this claim is demonstrably false for multiple reasons:
  
       A) The attached performance reports show clear increases in online visibility and engagement starting around the 3-4 month markexactly as was explained to her at the point of sale.

       B) The sync reports confirm that her business information has been successfully synchronized across all major directories, indicating that work has been actively performed on her behalf.

       C) Ms. *********** never had access to her ****** listing at the beginning of the program because we built it from scratch. As part of the onboarding process, we created a brand-new ****** listing              and then sent her a request to grant her access so she could make changes. However, she never accepted this request, meaning she could not have made any edits or modifications herself.

       D) Her ****** profile and online presence have received increased impressions and interactions, proving that work has been done on our end to improve her online visibility.

  Given these facts, her claim that she personally made changes while seeing no activity from us is not possible.
  
  3. Communication with Her Sales Representative
  Ms. *********** claims that she attempted to reach her sales representative, ****, multiple times without a response. We have reviewed our call logs and customer service notes, and there is no record of her being ignored or refused assistance. Our team consistently communicates with clients, and any delays in response would have been minimal.
  
  4. Responsibilities of the Client
  Part of the success of our program involves customer participationincluding obtaining reviews and engaging with their online presence to maximize visibility. Since joining, Ms. *********** has not taken an active role in gathering reviews, which is a crucial component of local search optimization. Her lack of engagement in this area is a contributing factor to the overall performance of her listings.
  
  5. Contract Terms and Refund Policy
  Ms. *********** signed a one-year agreement and was informed at the time of purchase that early cancellations are not permitted. This was made clear in our contract terms, and she acknowledged these terms before proceeding with the service. We have fulfilled our obligations by performing the work outlined in the agreement, and as such, we are unable to issue a refund.
  However, in an effort to work with Ms. *********** and accommodate her financial concerns, we are willing to pause her monthly billing for one to two months to allow her to get her finances in order. This is a goodwill offer on our part, as we remain committed to providing the service she originally signed up for.
  
  6. Recommendation Moving Forward
  Ms. *********** is currently in the phase of her marketing program where visibility and search rankings begin to gain real traction (3-4 months in). This aligns with the progress seen in her reporting data. We strongly encourage her to continue with the program rather than switching to another provider, as she is now in a position to start seeing even greater results.
  
  Conclusion
  In summary, Ms. ************ claims about a lack of activity are contradicted by clear reporting data, her stated reason for cancellation does not align with our internal records, and she has not fully engaged with the program in ways that would optimize her results. Given these factors, we stand by our contract terms and the services provided.
  
  While we cannot grant a refund, we are willing to pause her billing for up to two months to help accommodate her financial concerns. We hope this demonstrates our commitment to working with Ms. *********** while also maintaining the integrity of our agreements.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  The Team at Local Search Group

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/12/2025

   
  Complaint: 22907251
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  Sincerely,
  
  **** ******-****

  I disagree with the response. They said they created my ****** Page from scratch which they did not. I created the site much earlier in the year when I joined this new company. I joined them in July of 2024. The picture on the ****** page is what I posted when I was getting the ****** page verified. I can send you a picture of the same setting. The only item they are responsible for is the map on the page. They didn't add anything else. There are a lot of pictures on my ****** page posted in the area for products that I also added. My ****** reviews were gotten by me not them. I was told it would take one month before I started to see changes and that was in November of 2024. 

  Even thought they were not working on it they continued to charge me $199.00 each month for Dec. and Jan. I paid them over $1,500 for nothing.

  I called them 2 times and asked to speak to ****. They said he was not available, but they would leave him a message. I called again and they told me that he would send me an email or call me. Nothing again! When I called the third time, and I told them I need to cancel they only wanted to argue with me. I finally did tell them the reason I needed to cancel. I didn't say prior to that because it's not their business that I am sick and needed costly medical help. I have called every other company that I have helping me with my business, and no one has treated me like this company has. All of them understood that financially I was unable to continue.

  At this point I want a full refund for all of the money I paid because they didn't do any of the things they stated in their response. Everything other than the map I did myself. If I had time i would upload the pictures, they I placed on the page.

  Also, she was very rude when she called to ask me about filing the report and wouldn't even let me talk as she continued talking over me.

  Thank you, 

  **** ******-****

  ************

  Business Response

  Date: 02/13/2025

  Dear BBB Representative,

  We appreciate the opportunity to further clarify our position in response to Ms. ************ latest claims. While we understand her frustrations, our records clearly contradict her assertions. Below is our detailed response:

  1. Ownership and Creation of the ****** Business Listing
  Ms. *********** claims that she created her own ****** Business Profile and that we did not build it from scratch. However, our internal documentation and setup process confirm otherwise.
       A) ******************** joined our program in July 2024, she did not have an active ****** Business listing that we could access. Our team created a new listing for her and sent her an invitation to claim            accesswhich she never accepted.

       B) As a result, she could not have made any edits to the listing under our management because she never accepted the invitation to gain ownership rights.

       C) Any images or content she uploaded before joining our service would not have been tied to the listing we built for her.

  2. Claim That No Work Was Done
  Ms. *********** asserts that we did "nothing" except add a map, yet our reporting data contradicts this.

       A) The attached reports clearly show an increase in ****** Impressions and traffic to her business listing starting 3-4 months into the program, which aligns exactly with what was explained to her at                        onboarding.         

       B) Our sync reports show her business successfully listed and verified across multiple directories, proving that the optimization work she paid for was performed.
            If the service had not been performed, there would be no recorded improvements or listing synchronizations, yet the data shows otherwise.

       C) Her claim that she was told she would see results within one month is a misunderstanding. As explained at purchase, local SEO and directory optimization take timetypically 3-4 months to show                        noticeable improvements. This is why our service is structured as a 12-month program, ensuring long-term results.       

  3. Communication Issues and Customer Service
  Ms. *********** claims she called twice and did not receive a response from her representative, ****. However:

       A) We have no records of her being ignored.

       B) Our team responds to all client inquiries in a timely manner, and while there may have been a brief delay, she was not refused communication.

       C) If she felt that a particular representative was unavailable, we always have additional team members available to assist.

  Regarding the claim that one of our representatives was "rude" when discussing her complaint: we take customer interactions very seriously. If she felt this way, we regret any miscommunication, but our goal was to clarify the situation and offer assistance.

  4. Contract Terms and Refund Request
  Ms. *********** now states that she told us about her health concerns only after we declined her cancellation request. However, the terms of our one-year agreement are clear:

       A) The contract was agreed upon with the understanding that early cancellations are not permitted except in extreme, documented circumstances.

       B) No medical or financial hardship was ever disclosed before attempting to cancel, and her initial reason given was that she had chosen another company.

       C) We have already offered to pause her monthly billing for a month or two as a goodwill gesture, but a refund is not possible, as services have been rendered.

  5. Moving Forward
  We have provided:

  ? Proof of work completed sent in original reply (sync reports, visibility increases, etc...)
  ? Verification that her listing was created and managed by us
  ? Evidence that her business presence was improved under our service

  We understand that Ms. *********** is experiencing financial challenges, and as a gesture of goodwill, we are still willing to pause her billing for one to two months to give her time to get things in order. However, we cannot issue a refund given the clear evidence that work was completed on our end.

  If Ms. *********** wishes to proceed with the billing pause, we encourage her to contact us so we can set that up.

   

  Sincerely,
  
  Local Search Group

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/13/2025

   
  Complaint: 22907251
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I disagree with everything that was stated in the above response. It was stated that we connected in July and that is not accurate. I created my ****** page myself at that time when I joined this new company. The picture that is on the page is the one I took in my office area with my real estate sign showing. They had no access to my office picture or my signs, so how could that have created the photo. I used that photo because I don't work out of the ****************** in ******. I work from my home office about 40 miles away, so I had to create and office showing I worked for the company. After adding that photo my ****** site was approved by ******. All of the product in the product section of my page were added from my computer. They have no access to our companies' websites in order to have access to the photos. All of the other ************ companies were already on my ****** Page as I have been selling real estate for 31 years.

  The only thing I will except from this company is a Full Refund of the excessive funds ($1,596.00} that I paid for nothing. No phone calls from this company for 4 months. Just monthly billing.

  Thank you,

  **** ******-****

   

  
  
  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/14/2025

  If you would review the first answer this company provided it states that I joined them in November. Now they are stating that they created my ****** page in July, I didn't join them until November. I had already created my page with the picture I took in my home office with my real estate sign in order to get validated. That all happened prior to me joining them. I also add a lot of information after my ****** page was validated. I spoke to them when they called several times tell me that I needed to pay them additional money. Unfortunately, I was a fool and paid them. Then I only heard from them one other time about my page. After 3 months went by and nothing was changing on my ****** page I decided to cancel. Then I found out that I have a serious illness and that I need to get infusions of medication once per month and have body scans in between the infusions of the medication. Did I explain all of that to them? No as it was not their business. Which is also the reason I am struggling financially. This is not something that will last a few months and then go away, so them offering for me to pause my fees to them is not something I can do. Most of their comments about this situation are false. I just can't believe that they are saying that they created my ****** page. I'm going to see if I can find out from ****** if they have a date, they can provide to confirm my store. And if it will show how many times they worked on the page by when they logged into it.

  I still feel that I should receive a full refund of all money paid to them. Unlike some of the other complaints that paid much smaller amounts I am out $1500.00 plus dollars that I could really use towards my medical bills. I am hope you will keep my complaint open longer so I can get the proof that they are not telling the truth.

  Thank you for your help.

  **** ******-****

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/15/2025

  Please don't close my case. This company is not being truthful about this situation, and I would like a little time to be able to download my pictures to show proof of the work I have done on my site. I did respond to the last email. I don't know why you didn't receive it.

  Please review my statement below.

  1. I called and asked to Cancel but I didn't say I was hiring someone else. I asked to speak to ****, and I was told that he was not available, but they would give him a message.

  2. I called again the 2nd day, and I was told the same thing but to look for an email from him.

  3. I called again the 3rd day, and I tried to tell the person that I wanted to cancel due to lack of work on my site. I was told that I could not cancel because I signed a contract. I tried to explain that I was sick and not only were they not doing what they claimed they would do but that I'm sick and needed medical care that will be costly for me and was in no position to continue paying these funds. I did not disclose my illness as it is no one's business, But I am telling you and hoping you will X it out when you send a copy of my response to them. I have been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's I am at the stage that it can be treated to slow it down. I'm at a stage that no one can tell that there is anything wrong. I asked to be tested because my father died from it and I wanted to catch it early if there was a possibility that I would develop it also. Along with having monthly infusions I will need to have brain scans after each treatment. The cost is very high as you can imagine. 

  When trying to talk with this person who is the same person in these communications, she would talk over me when I was trying to explain and would not listen to what I had to say.  She started out with you made a BBB Complaint and then it got ugly. She was very hostile on the phone.

  As I stated in my previous emails, I was the one doing all the work on my site. I took the picture in my office area with one of my real estate signs, which is what ****** suggested in order to get verified. I posted it on ****** not them. I have been getting reviews from passed clients as I have been in the real estate business for over ********************************** 1994 getting reviews was not a think, as there were no computers at the time. I also add over ************** the product area. So, to say that I had no access to my ****** page is a blatant lie. Just because I gave them access to my site didn't mean that I lost access. The only work they have done is to help my rankings period. That's not all they were hired for. The $1,599.00 plus the $399.00 and then $199.00 per month which now they charged me again for Feb. that another $600.00 I've paid. I've now paid them right at $1,700.00

  What I am asking for is a few days extension to be able to send photos of my work on the site. And again, how can she say that they created the site back in July 2024 when they were not hired until late Dec. 2024. They did not work on my site that was all me.

  Please allow me time to prove my case. 

  Sincerely, **** ******-****

   

   

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/29/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Claimed to be ****** and that they could help verify my ****** business page. Ultimately, they are a separate marketing agency for SEO etc. and claimed to be employed by ******. They are in no way affiliated with ****** and are taking advantage of my small business along with others. I would like a refund of my $399.99 for using false information as a sales tactic.

  Business Response

  Date: 01/30/2025

  After thoroughly reviewing the call recording and our records, we would like to clarify the following:

  Misrepresentation of Affiliation with ******
  At no point during our communication did we claim to be ****** or an employee of ******. Our representative correctly stated that we are an authorized ****** My Business representative, which is accurate. We help businesses optimize and manage their ****** Business Profiles, a service that many business owners find beneficial.

  Legitimacy of ******************************** provides legitimate services, and we take compliance and transparency very seriously. The customer willingly signed a contract at the point of sale, which clearly outlined our companys identity and the services provided (as the attached document clearly shows). There was no coercion or misleading information involved in this transaction.

  Customer Conduct During the Call
  We reviewed the call in question and noted that the customer was combative and disrespectful toward our representative. Despite this, our agent remained professional and courteous throughout the interaction.

  Refund Policy & Resolution
  While we firmly stand by the validity of our services and the transparency of our sales process, we have no issue refunding the customers $399.99 as a gesture of goodwill. They should see the funds in their account within 3-5 business days. We want to ensure all our clients feel satisfied with their experience, even in cases where they may misunderstand the nature of our services.

  We request that this complaint be updated to reflect our resolution. If any further clarification is needed, we are happy to provide additional details.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  The Team at Local Search Group

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/30/2025

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** ******

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/19/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  We recieved a phone call many times from the Localsearchgroupllc telling us that our business was not verified. We have always handled our own ****** listing and thought this was weird. This time we recieved a call saying that our account was paused becuase we had not been verified. This was a lie. They told me that my business was not showing up to local customers. This was a lie. They told me that me search optimization was not running. This was a lie. They told me they could fix all of these things like they were calling from ****** and acted like they were ******. They transferred me to another person that took my information down and my $400 off my CC. They said they would start working on it soon. I got an email from ****** saying the localsearchgroupllc was requesting ownership of my ****** page!! They told me they could not make changes without ownership. I requested my money back. They said they would but by that time i had cancelled my CC. After that they did not try to do anything to get me my $400 back and have stopped communicating with me. I say this so hopefully other will not get burned. This company got me! I am glad it was just for $400.

  Business Response

  Date: 12/19/2024

  Dear Mr ************************ you for bringing this matter to our attention. We take all feedback seriously and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.
  

  After reviewing the details of your complaint, we would like to clarify the following:

  1) We are not affiliated with ******. At no point have we claimed to be ****** or to represent ******. As a third-party marketing and ************ our role is to assist businesses with optimizing their online presence, including ****** Business Profiles, to improve visibility and drive local customer engagement.

  2) Verification of ****** Business Profiles. We contacted you to offer our services and explained that verifying and maintaining an optimized ****** Business Profile can enhance local visibility. However, it appears there was a misunderstanding about the nature of our services. We apologize if this was not clearly communicated.

  3) Ownership Request for ****** Page. Ownership of a ****** Business Profile is required to make certain updates and improvements. This is standard practice for any third-party provider working to optimize a business profile. You received an email from ****** as part of their verification process to grant us access for this purpose, not as a fraudulent attempt.
  

  4) Refund Request. We understand that you later requested a refund. Unfortunately, your credit card was canceled before the refund could be processed, which made it impossible for us to issue the $400 refund through standard methods. We regret that we were unable to resolve this matter to your satisfaction before communication ceased.

  We strive to be transparent and professional in all our interactions, and we apologize for any confusion or frustration you experienced.

  Despite this, we remain willing to work with you to implement the improvements we initially offered for your ****** Business Profile, ensuring that your listing is fully optimized and visible to your local customers.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  The Team at Local Search Group, LLC

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/30/2024

   
  Complaint: 22709119
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  They still have not returned my money! 
  They still misrepresented themselves as google. 
  Bottom line, they would return my money but now they cant becuase they have no other way of retunring the money???!!! BS
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *** *******

  Business Response

  Date: 01/02/2025

  Dear Mr. ******************** you for your follow-up. We take all feedback seriously and appreciate the opportunity to address your continued concerns.

  After reviewing your case further, we pulled the call in question and listened to it in its entirety. At no point during the conversation did any of the agents you spoke with claim to be ****** or to represent ****** directly. The agents did explain that we are authorized ****** My Business representatives, which is accurate. Its possible there was a misunderstanding when this was explained, and we regret any confusion that may have arisen.

  If you had concerns about our legitimacy, we wish you had reached out to us directly before canceling your credit card. This would have allowed us to clarify any questions you had and address your concerns immediately.

  That said, we remain committed to fulfilling the services we promised you. We are still willing to work on your account and implement the improvements discussed to enhance your ****** Business Profile.

  We hope its clear that we are a legitimate business offering real services, and our goal is always to help our clients improve their online visibility and local customer reach. If you are open to continuing with the services we initially outlined, please feel free to contact us directly at ************.

  Thank you again for bringing this to our attention. We are committed to working with you and providing the best possible resolution.
  

   

  Sincerely,

  The Team at Local Search Group

   

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/03/2025

   
  Complaint: 22709119
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  They still took my money, and wont give it back period!
  
  They provided no service.
  
  *** *******

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/26/2024

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I was contacted by this company with them offering a way to improve the number of contacts I receive for my business from ****** searches related to my business. I agreed to pay them $399.99 which I paid by credit card. They stated that this was a 1 time fee.Today I received a call from them going over their service. I was then told that the fee would be $1000 with a monthly recurring fee of $350.00 per month. I ended the phone call at that point.I tried to contact the company by the phone number listed on their webpage but the number does not work. I have contacted my credit card company to contest the charge and they are trying to help me.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/26/2024

  Dear *******,
  
  Thank you for reaching out to us and sharing your concerns. We apologize for any confusion or inconvenience you experienced.
  
  Regarding your initial payment of $399.99, we want to assure you that this is indeed a one-time fee for the agreed-upon services. The additional services mentioned in the recent call, including the $1000 fee and the $350 monthly charge, are entirely optional and not required for the service you initially purchased. We regret any misunderstanding that *** have occurred during the conversation.
  
  We understand your frustration with the difficulty in reaching us by phone. Please rest assured that we are here to assist you and clarify any doubts. If you have any further questions or need additional support, please feel free to respond to this email.
  
  We also understand that you have contacted your credit card company to contest the charge. Please note that while we are committed to resolving this issue, we are unable to process a refund while the chargeback process is ongoing. If you decide to cancel the chargeback with your bank and provide us with proof of cancellation, we will be able to further discuss your refund request. Until then, we must protect our merchant account and cannot issue a refund.
  
  We appreciate your patience and understanding.
  
  Warm regards,
  
  The team at Local Search Group

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/30/2024

   
  Complaint: 22048664
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  I want and expect a full refund of the $399.99 charge made on my credit card.

  Again, I feel that this was a typical "bait and switch" tactic used by companies to scam people.

  I have found numerous on line references about your company doing this.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

  Business Response

  Date: 07/31/2024

  Dear *******,
  
  Thank you for your prompt response and for expressing your continued concerns. We sincerely apologize for any frustration or confusion that you have experienced.
  
  Firstly, we want to reiterate that the $399.99 charge was for the one-time service that you agreed to. The additional fees discussed in the subsequent call were for optional services and not a mandatory part of your initial agreement. We understand how this could be perceived as misleading and apologize if it was not clearly communicated.
  
  We take accusations of bait-and-switch tactics very seriously. Our intention is always to provide clear and transparent information to our customers. We will review our communication practices to ensure such misunderstandings do not occur in the future.
  
  Regarding your request for a full refund of the $399.99 charge, we are willing to work towards a resolution. However, as the chargeback process is currently in progress with your credit card company, we are unable to issue a refund directly until this matter is resolved. This policy is in place to protect both our customers and our business.
  
  Here are the steps we propose to move forward:
  
  1.If you could cancel the chargeback request with your credit card company and provide us with proof of cancellation, we will be able to process your refund request promptly.

  
  2.Alternatively, if you prefer to continue with the chargeback process, we will cooperate fully with your credit card company to expedite the resolution.
  
  We aim to resolve this matter amicably and to your satisfaction. Please let us know how you would like to proceed, and we will take the necessary steps to assist you further.
  
  Thank you for your understanding and patience.
  
  Warm regards,
  
  The team at Local Search Group

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/31/2024

   
  Complaint: 22048664
  
  I am rejecting this response because:  I have found a number of reviews and complaints against Local Search Group LLC that make me question that I will receive a refund if I cancel my credit card charge dispute.

  I am including examples:

  ************
  
  1 star
  10/30/2023
  This company is a total ****. After taking my money and claiming a few times they were working on the problem of getting my website listed properly in ****** Search listings, I called them to account and they stopped responding. Their customer service number no longer works (coincidentally after I tried calling them to ask for their corporate address in order to file a BBB complaint). BBB reports the company is out of business or their listed address is not working. What bunch of ******** and *******.

  
  Review from **************
  
  1 star
  08/26/2021
  The Local Group LLC! called me in regards to my suspended ****** account, they got the suspension removed but after 3 months it reappeared. I had left a message on one of the phone numbers listed, and no call was returned. I tried contacting them with the phone numbers that are provided and they do not own the phone numbers or they are not in Service!

  
  *******************************
  Original Poster
  
  Sep 11, 2020
  I was contacted by Local Search Group LLC and paid $400 for one time fee. Is this a scam? Solution?
  Received the verification code in the mail, but it does not work with my account.

  
  K
  Keyserholiday
  I report fake listings and reviews
  Sep 11, 2020
  This is a scam as *** is a free service.

  Initial Complaint
  10/27/2023
  Complaint Type:
  Product Issues
  Status:
  BBB unable to locate business
  
  On Sept 12, 2023 I hired Local Search Group LLC to assist me in setting up my ****** business listing so that my business would appear in local ****** search results. When I was being sold their services, I was told that by hiring them I would get better service, and my business would be listed in multiple categories. So far they have failed to deliver on both of those promises.My business (Commando Combatives and Calculus) still only appears in local search listings for self-defense, not in the other categories of math tutoring and science tutoring. It has been over a month since I hired them, and they have not delivered. Further, recent emails sent (two emails sent yesterday) holding them accountable to delivering on the work they promised to do have not been responded to. When I called customer service this morning, the person I spoke with could not even confirm the address of the corporate office so that I could file this BBB complaint.
  

  Initial Complaint
  10/15/2021
  Complaint Type:
  Billing Issues
  Status:
  Answered
  Company has taken ownership of our business ****** listing. All phone numbers are either incorrect to contact them, or for businesses that are not their own. Phone calls are sent straight to voicemail, or the phone line is disconnected. We'd like to have them remove themselves from ownership of the business, so that we can take control back. It looks like they are doing this to many other businesses.

  Again, I *** not feel confident that if I drop my credit card charge dispute that I will get my money back. If they want to refund my $399.99 all they have to do is credit my credit card. I feel all they are doing is delaying so they ***'t have to refund my money.
  

  Sincerely,
  *************************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/27/2023

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  UnpursuableMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On Sept 12, 2023 I hired Local Search Group LLC to assist me in setting up my ****** business listing so that my business would appear in local ****** search results. When I was being sold their services, I was told that by hiring them I would get better service, and my business would be listed in multiple categories. So far they have failed to deliver on both of those promises.My business (Commando Combatives and Calculus) still only appears in local search listings for self-defense, not in the other categories of math tutoring and science tutoring. It has been over a month since I hired them, and they have not delivered. Further, recent emails sent (two emails sent yesterday) holding them accountable to delivering on the work they promised to do have not been responded to. When I called customer service this morning, the person I spoke with could not even confirm the address of the corporate office so that I could file this BBB complaint.