BISMARCK, N.D. (NDAG) – North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem issued a Cease & Desist Order against three Florida residents Richard Wade, Lemuel Thompson, David Anderson, and Better Business Marketing, Inc., doing business as “Berry Law Group,” for violating North Dakota’s consumer fraud, home solicitations, and Do Not Call laws. Wade, Thompson, and Anderson operated a bogus debt settlement company.

The Consumer Protection division initiated an investigation after receiving a complaint from a consumer that he had received an unsolicited call from representatives of the “Better Business Marketing, Inc.,” offering to reduce his credit card debt to “near zero.” The representatives claimed they were experienced at negotiating these reductions with credit card companies and that they generally work with elderly citizens. The consumer was emailed a contract which he signed and returned. The next day, a charge of almost $8,000 was made to the consumer’s credit card by the “Berry Law Group.” The consumer cancelled the contract and demanded a refund, but has not received one.