BBB says collection agency charged but didn't collect

The Better Business Bureau in Central California is warning about problems with a Fresno-based collection agency that has been hit with more than 30 complaints from businesses around the country, accusing the company of charging for services it didn't provide.

The complaints say the agency, Maxwell, Turner and Associates, Inc., charged its clients an upfront fee to collect from individuals and companies owing at least $1,500 in debt. The agency then cut ties with its clients and did not try to collect the debt, according to the complaints.

The BBB gave the agency an F rating due to the 32 unanswered complaints against it during the past 10 months. It has forwarded those complaints to the Federal Trade Commission.

"Although victims of this company have so far been from out of state, there is no reason to believe that they will not begin targeting unsuspecting businesses closer to home," Doug Broten, president of the Better Business Bureau of Central California, said in a statement.

The company could not be reached for comment.

Earlier this month, the company announced plans to launch a Client of the Month program to reward clients that refer the most business. The client would then be rewarded with a discount for future services and a "prize," according to a company press release.