BBB: Mile High Investigations takes low road, makes false claims

Colorado sleuthing firm Mile High Investigations has been falsely advertising itself as BBB-accredited, as well as making other false claims about its business, says the organization's Denver and Boulder office.

The company says it was founded in 1999 when it wasn't, used photos on its website taken from a competitor, and posted reviews its employees wrote themselves, posing as customers, the BBB says.

In order to use the BBB name, a company must be an accredited business. Use of the name without it violates the trademark.

The BBB asked Mile High to remove the reference from online advertisements in May and June. In mid-May, the BBB asked for a response on when their business actually was founded, and on the questionable photos and customer reviews. BBB's reliability report on the company says they did not receive a response. However, Mile High's web site now contains no reference to the BBB, nor the other content that concerned BBB.

Mile High Investigations also operates under the names "5280 Investigations" and "Cheater Spi." The name "Mile High Investigations" could not be found as a registered Colorado business. A company called 5280 Investigations, which shares the same web site and address as Mile High Investigations, was registered to Tina Jean Martinez in 2009, records show.

The company offers a range of services, "specializing in bounty hunters, bail recovery agents, fugitive apprehension ... affair confirmation, mobile notary ... surveillance."

Attempts to reach Mile High Investigations to confirm the removal date of the BBB accreditation and other allegedly false information were unsuccessful.