November 4, 2009

Attorney GeneralCorbett announces consumer protection lawsuit against Philadelphia pet supply company

HARRISBURG - Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced that the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection has filed a civil lawsuit against a Philadelphia man and his pet supply company who are accused of making false claims about charitable contributions and failing to provide refunds to consumers who returned items.

Corbett said the lawsuit was filed against Joseph P. White, of 101 Morris St., Philadelphia, the owner of Furlong's Pet Supply, which conducted Internet sales and also used addresses in both Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware.  White's business also allegedly operated as Tapping Paw, though neither fictitious business name is properly registered in Pennsylvania.

According to the consumer protection lawsuit, White's pet supply website advertised that ten percent of the proceeds from every sale would be donated to a charity called the Adopted Dog Training Association.  That "charity" allegedly provided obedience training for people who adopted dogs from Philadelphia area animal shelters.

"In reality, this dog training 'charity' was little more than a sham, created by Mr. White, to lure sympathetic consumers into making purchases from his online business," Corbett said. "The organization was never registered as a charity in Pennsylvania and no money was ever donated to it."

Corbett said that in addition to the false claims about charitable contributions, White is also accused of failing to honor the return policy stated at his store and on his website - not providing refunds to consumers who returned items within the specified 21-day return period.

The lawsuit seeks restitution for consumers who paid for products they did not receive along with refunds for items that consumers had properly returned.  Additionally, the lawsuit seeks penalties of up to $1,000 for each violation of Pennsylvania's Consumer Protection Law, or up to $3,000 for each violation involving a senior citizen.

Corbett encouraged consumers with problems involving White or his businesses - Furlong's Pet Supply, Tapping Paw or the Adopted Dog Training Association - to file formal complaints by calling the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-441-2555 or by completing an online complaint form at www.attorneygeneral.gov  (Highlight the "Complaints" button at the top left corner of the website and select "Consumer Complaints" from the menu that appears).

The consumer protection lawsuit was filed in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas by Senior Deputy Attorney General Henry Hart III and Deputy Attorney General Sarah A. E. Frasch of the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Consumer Tips
Corbett encouraged consumers to carefully research online sellers, especially if they have never dealt with a particular business before - reviewing and understanding everything involved in the transaction, including delivery times; shipping fees; return policies and guidelines for refunds. 

In addition, consumers should carefully review the business's privacy policy to verify that customer information will not be sold or shared without your knowledge.

Corbett also urged consumers to investigate charitable programs before agreeing to make a contribution.  All charities operating in Pennsylvania are required to register with the PA Department of State.  Information is available on the Department of State website (www.dos.state.pa.us) indicating how donations are used, including the amount spent on charitable activities as opposed to administrative and fund-raising expenses.

Pennsylvania residents with questions or concerns related to online businesses, charitable contributions or other consumer protection issues can call the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-441-2555 or visit the "Consumers" section of the Attorney General's website at www.attorneygeneral.gov.

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