Scam Warning: BBB investigates company failing to deliver products purchased online

PD Store/Parkson Dragon has false address, phone numbers listed on website

Scam Warning: BBB investigates company failing to deliver products purchased online

PD Store/Parkson Dragon has false address, phone numbers listed on website

FORT WAYNE – The Better Business Bureau Serving Northern Indiana is warning consumers against doing business with PD Store/Parkson Dragon. BBB recently opened an investigation into the F-rated company based on multiple ScamTracker reports that orders were not being delivered, despite being paid for.

Upon investigation, BBB found that the phone number for PD Store belongs to the Roanoke Baptist Church, which is not connected to PD Store in any way. In addition, the address on PD Store’s website, parksondragon.com, indicates that the store is located in New York. Representatives for the church have indicated they’re receiving hundreds of calls daily and have issued notice that they are not affiliated with PD Store on their church voicemail.

"When a business has a pattern of unfulfilled orders, that’s a problem,” said Marjorie Stephens, President/CEO of the BBB Serving Northern Indiana. “When their contact information is incorrect or disconnected and their address does not exist, that’s a tell-tale sign of a scam.”

A New Jersey consumer reports ordering an inflatable swimming pool from PD Store’s website. The only checkout option was PayPal and she received UPS tracking details shortly after, with arrival set for a few days later. However, when the package did not arrive by the specified date, the customer checked tracking and UPS indicated her item had already been delivered. She then tried to contact PD Store about the issue, but they were unreachable.

Likewise, a Texas consumer ordered two pools on the website, and when the pools did not arrive, he attempted to contact the company multiple times. When that had no result, he disputed the order through PayPal. Currently, the dispute is unresolved because PD Store has not responded to PayPal.

A Kentucky consumer also ordered a pool and received an email that it shipped on June 28. She then received an email stating it had been delivered on June 24. When she attempted to contact the company, she could not get a response. Currently, she has an open case with PayPal to get her money back.

“Shopping online always carries a level of risk that the merchant may not be who they say they are,” Stephens said. “However, there are ways to decrease your chances of falling victim to a scammer.”

BBB offers the following tips for keeping yourself safe when shopping online

Buy from reputable retailers. When shopping online, only purchase from businesses you know and trust. If you’ve never done business with the company, be sure to review their business profile at BBB.org to view customer reviews and complaints. Don't be fooled by a bargain advertised on social media. If the price is too good to be true, it probably is.

Confirm the business contact information. If you are unfamiliar with a seemingly legitimate company, check to ensure their contact information is valid before you make a purchase. Incorrect email addresses and defunct customer service numbers can be indicators of an untrustworthy business.

Pay carefully. Credit cards are generally the safest way to pay for an online purchase. If a problem occurs, you have some consumer protections offered by the credit card company to dispute the charges. If a business only accepts payment options like PayPal, Venmo or CashApp, that increases a consumer’s risk of losing money if something goes wrong with their order.

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