Information and Alerts

Alert

BBB Serving the Atlantic
Provinces pro-actively identifies marketplace practices that are deceptive,
misleading, unethical, or should be called into question. The purpose of BBB
investigations is to help inform the public on what actions may be taken avoid
fraud and protect against being victimized. 
On July 25th,
2019, BBB Serving the Atlantic Provinces opened an investigation into the
business practices of Expedite Q.
This was prompted by
complaints filed by consumers who came across the business website, which
appeared to represent the business as an official government agency.
Consumers were applying for NEXUS, which is a joint Canada Border Services
Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection operated Trusted Traveler and
expedited border control program designed for pre-approved, low-risk travelers.
However, the promised
and paid for documents were never received by the consumers. Nor were requested
refunds.
On July 25th,
2019, a letter of inquiry requesting information as to the nature of the
business, its ownership and registration was sent to Expedite Q at the address
noted on the business website:
https://www.expediteq.com/
Having received no
response to our first letter, BBB sent a second letter on August 12th,
2019.
No response was
received to our second letter.
BBB Serving the
Atlantic Provinces contacted US Customs and Border Protection
Field Operations and was advised by the Port Director Pre-Clearance that
Expedite Q has no connection to the NEXUS programme.
Upon reviewing the
business website, BBB notes the disclaimer:
Expedite Q Consultancy
Ltd is not affiliated with any government body
Further,
the business website states:
Regarding
the data collected by the business and privacy concerns the business states:
All PayPal transactions are
subject to the PayPal Privacy Policy.  We employ reasonable
administrative, technical and physical measures to maintain the security and
confidentiality of any and all PayPal data and information, including data and
information about PayPal users and PayPal.

Compliance with Data Protection
Laws.  With regard to any personal data processed by PayPal and the
merchant in connection with this Agreement, PayPal and the merchant will
respectively each be a controller in respect of such processing. PayPal and the
merchant agree to comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Laws
applicable to controllers in respect of the provision of their respective
services and otherwise in connection with this Agreement.
However,
please note the business
Refund Policy which states:
“There is no need to go via PayPal to get your
refund - this will be a lot slower and can take up to several weeks if you make
a chargeback.”
This
constitutes a “red flag”. If the business is heavily referring to PayPal
Privacy Policy and Data Collection Laws, why then would consumers be encouraged
to avoid PayPal when it comes to refunds?
BBB
strongly encourages consumers to carefully review business websites and any
other available information on businesses that purport to provide assistance or
services related to international travel, and immigration and visa applications.
It
is also a recommended that consumers check with actual government agencies to
verify the legitimacy of business offering these services.
Also,
please check with BBB before sending personal information or making payments
for such services.