New Mexico Security Blog by Robb Hamic

To the New Mexico Better Business Bureau: Please do what you say and stand up for what is right! New Mexico Security

Truth in advertising. It is an interesting concept. To me it means: tell the truth to your customers. I took some time checking out the BBB web site. This is one of the things that I learned:

The Bureau's history of resolving marketplace problems and fostering sound business practices through self-regulation, rather than government regulation, gives the BBB name instant recognition. To the public, it's a synonym for creditability. The BBB plaque and decal are an instant introduction of a member to the public, who, according to a Roper study, prefer to do business with a member over a nonmember. The result is business profit and customer satisfaction.

The BBB has a history for seeking out fraud and is known for being the source of information to combat fraudulent business practices. In fact, one watch dog group promotes the BBB alongside the New Mexico Attorney General. See below:

To report fraud or a scam in the state of New Mexico, start with the attorney general or the Better Business Bureau.

http://www.fraudguides.com/report/new-mexico.asp

My company is a paying customer of the BBB with a Double A rating. I was interviewed by a BBB employee in my office and he asked me for my licenses. He walked around my office to make sure my company was on the "up and up." You know, in order for a company to be in compliance they are required a number of licenses. City business license, state issued licenses to provide certain services, Tax ID #'s and tax certificates, New Mexico incorporation or domestication for your company, etc. This is all very elementary and standard for ethical businesses. In fact, the BBB company report even lists a section for the "Licensing" of a company. It lists the agency, license number, status and contact numbers for the agency responsible for licensing. This all protects the consumer and provides good up-to-date information. After all, the BBB stands up to protect consumers and the public from bad companies and unethical businesses- right?


The comment that I got from Mr. Jerry Shipman, President of the BBB in New Mexico just didn't sit right with me. He suggests that we need to lobby our RLD to have a better system to check licenses. I agree with this for the normal person but not for the BBB. The BBB is a membership organization that gives it the ability to screen its membership. Not just for the money that he company will contribute but for the BBB to actually screen the company to make sure that it is a good and honest firm with proper licensing. If a company wants to be a member of the BBB- why not just ask them for a copy of their licenses. State law requires that they hang them up at their place of business and the BBB does a site visit so why not just check the license at that time. My blog has a current list of licensed security companies issued by RLD. Why not look to this blog if you can't find it elsewhere. The BBB should ask that it's prospective members "tell the truth and make it a habit." Don't you think?

I checked their NM PRC incorporation and found that the business purpose of the BBB is: business association prompting ethical business. Jerry Shipman is the President and registered agent. Download BBBInc.pdf

Additionally, I was truly surprised to see that the New Mexico Better Business Bureau Inc. didn't have a city of Albuquerque Business license as required by law. Download BBBnoAbqbuslicense.pdf See the relevant city ordanance below:

All persons proposing to engage in business within the municipal limits of the City of Albuquerque shall apply for and pay a non-refundable $35 business registration fee for each outlet, branch, or location within the municipal limits of the City of Albuquerque, prior to engaging in business. Register your business before you begin operation to avoid a $10 late payment penalty. The City obtains information concerning new businesses from several sources to verify that all City businesses do in fact register with the City's Treasury Division. The City must be notified of any changed information on business location and/or status. The change must be approved by the City's Zoning Department.

I have learned to never give absolute trust to anyone or any organization. It is imperative for consumers to check out the companies that they do business with and don't place too much credit or trust into any symbol.

Does the New Mexico Better Business Bureau protect the public from fraud? New Mexico Security

I recently made a post about my my investigation of numerous unlicensed New Mexico Security companies that were listed on the Better Business Bureau's web site. Many were actual members with favorable ratings...

Yesterday I received this comment from the President of the Better business Bureau of New Mexico Inc., Jerry Shipman, concerning my post about the BBB and its listing of unlicensed NM companies. I am outraged by his response and I think that you will be too. Please read his e-mail and my response.

A new comment from “JS” was received on the post “Don't trust the Better Business Bureau- New Mexico Security” of the weblog “New Mexico Security Blog”.

Comment:


Perhaps the problem rests elsewhere. After spending a couple of hours trying to determine the license status of several security companies, I found the process extremely frustrating. It isn’t very intuitive that Security Patrol licenses are found under the New Mexico Regulations & Licensing Department’s Private Investigations Board. After finding the obscure website for checking the status of licensing, I found that you can not check on a company, only individuals. How is the website user to know the name of the individual that holds the license for the company? And, if you don’t know the individuals name, it is even less likely that you will know the license number. Your industry should lobby to get a user friendly method for checking security companies licensing.

Commenter name: JS
Commenter email: jerry@bbbsw.org
IP address: 75.161.115.115

This is my e-mail response to him.

Mr. Jerry Shipman:

Or perhaps you could check peoples licenses as part of the application process rather than just taking someone's word for it. Your organization bills itself as a institution for finding and reporting bad business. You collect hundreds of thousands in New Mexico doing it. Why wouldn't you dedicate some of your resources to verifying licensure and checking if the company is indeed a good business or rather just a flimsy sham. You make money from credoentialling businesses. Why don't you make less profit (or disburse less in salaries) and dedicate some of your resources doing what it is that you already say that you do- protect the public from fraudulent business practices and bad business.

The Yellow Pages doesn't check licenses either. They don't seem to see anything wrong with their practice probably because there is too much money to be made. Imagine this. I get a ad in the Yellow Pages as a Surgeon and get a listing in the BBB. I start operating on people and collecting money but I am not really a Doctor. Do you see anything wrong with this picture? How about if I was a FELON Security company owner? Who is responsible if someone gets hurt? What if the only reason they chose to do business was the BBB "seal of approval?"

Do you hold yourself or your organization accountable for anything? You certainly did your part to further unlicensed activity while promoting unlicensed and illegal businesses to the public and New Mexico business community.

Here's another thing. What do you do about business fraudulently using the BBB logo for its advertising and in its websites? Apparently nothing. I have personally made numerous complaints about many of these illegitimate security companies using the BBB logo. You probably don't remember but I called the BBB personally checking on the status of one of these companies. You told me that you were working to get the company approved for membership. The purpose of my complaint wasn't to make your firm money it was to report fraud. You knew about the fraud because you checked the web site to verify that the bad company was in fact using the BBB logo without paying for it. You then contact them for membership? You should be ashamed.

I encourage reputable and legitimate security companies. Albuquerque Security

I think we need more good security companies that promote our industry. I encourage new security companies or existing firms to thrive in New Mexico. Bad and unlicensed companies have driven the rates for security down to a dismal level. I remember when we started to do a lot of security in 2002. Our minimum rates were $16 for an unarmed guard and $675 for patrol of a property. I can't believe it when I see unlicensed companies bidding $295 for a property and $13 per hour for an unarmed guard. These are ridiculous rates and they have been set and driven down by bad companies.

I have decided to look at forming the New Mexico Security Association. This association will promote training, information sharing and a consolidated voice from the good companies in our industry to New Mexico lawmakers, RLD, news media and others interested in the industry. Membership will be available to individuals and companies who of good character. All members will be vetted with background checks. Membership is not available to companies with felon owners, companies who operate illegally or unlicensed, companies who's owners have lied about their law enforcement experience, individual employees with criminal convictions, etc.

I will offer reduced priced training to members, on-line training and certification for security officers, advanced training on Taser, firearms and more. Companies will get exposure to information about all unlicensed or illegal companies in New Mexico, NM RLD cease and desist letters issued to bad companies and many other resources.

Our association will meet monthly and we will focus on promoting our industry in a good light for once. Support for this association has been overwhelming and I am working on its formation plans as I write this post. Tell me your ideas by e-mail.

The check is in the mail...! Yea- right. Albuquerque Security

Two of my readers were owed back wages by Legit Security of Albuquerque New Mexico. They read how the woman got paid back wages by the owners of Legit after she called the cops. Legit security guards had actually escorted her off of the property. This is an e-mail that I just received (I removed names to keep their names confidential):

In response to one of your recent blog posts, XXXXX and I called the cops to escort us to the Legit office and ask about our owed paychecks. Two cops showed up. They still claim they mailed them out, A WEEK AND A HALF LATER. I can snail mail stuff to florida in 6 days...
bunch of liars, they probably never mailed them.

Unpaid security employees can make complaints at the New Mexico Attorney General and or the New Mexico Department of Labor.

Is there a moral to this story or fairy-tale?

Albuquerque Security company is set to change it's name...

Can't you come up with something new? Seriously, how many times does a company need to change its name? How about six times in six years?

You would think that the bad companies would come up with something new to at least make it harder to discover the evidence against them. You would think that these company owners would stop making false statements to state officials.

These companies must think that their clients are complete idiots! I love this scene... A few people burst into a meeting and announce that the new company is taking over for the old one going out of business. No choice for the clients- it is just a done deal. (it worked last time the security company executed a "name change" didn't it?!) The new company will be great, lots of cops as employees and oh by the way- the new company really doesn't like that that person who got into trouble anyway.

This is what's happening behind the scenes: new company gets license, attempts to transfer most or all of the old companies employees, makes statements to the state that the new company doesn't have anything to do with the old company (strong statements) and then attempts to transfer all of the accounts of the old company to the new.

Here are some considerations:

- will the clients fall for it- again?
- are the employees of the new company licensed?
- are they really mostly cops like the new owner said?
- did the old or new company lie to the state?
- haven't we seen this one before?

Stay tuned next week for the details, surveillance photos and extras!

Infamous security company owner arrested! Albuquerque Security

One of our industry's infamous was arrested on federal charges last night. Stay tuned to KOB channel 4 for details. Jeremy Jojola will be telling the story on Tuesday July 8th...

It's like magic! Some New Mexico security companies finally get worker's compensation insurance...

It is amazing what a little pressure can do for New Mexico's workers and the security industry. I have learned that a few of the companies that were previously out of compliance have insured themselves and their employees. This is really good news.

We are all really happy that some companies have wised up and gotten into compliance with the law. There was one company that wrote me an e-mail and mentioned that she didn't know of the requirement but got into compliance shortly after learning that she needed the insurance for her employees. I am glad it all worked out and this company came into compliance. Apparently, her competitors are not really in compliance and this may give her an edge on the competition.

It is time that the security industry and security consumers wised up. It isn't enough that these companies who have been operating for months or years without insurance finally decided to obey the law. Consumers should demand more from their security companies and the companies that bid on the work. Do you think it is a good idea to do business with companies that have a track record of choosing not to be insured to save money and make more profit at the sake of their employees?

Be careful what you buy and make sure that it is provided by a reputable company.

Solid Steel Security- Exposed! Albuquerque Security

Solid Steel Security AKA SSS Enterprises provides security services to most of the major car lots in Albuquerque. Their security guards patrol these car lots on vehicles and on foot. I don't have to tell andy of you how dangerous car lots can be in Albuquerque. A US Security guard was killed on duty last year at a major Albuquerque car lot. Obviously, these guards need to be background checked, licensed, trained and properly equipped.

I have heard about Sold Steel Security for many years but I could never figure out where the company was located. I have hired a few guards that were former employees of this company.

This is the information that I have:

Solid Steel Security and SSS Enterprises dont' have the required security company (PPO) license. All of its guards are unlicensed as well. Sold Steel Security employs a number of officers and has provided security since 7-11-01. Download sssenterprises.pdf Mailing address : PO Box 82901 Albuquerque, NM 87198. The office location is in a small strip plaza located on Grand just west of San Mateo NE. The above picture of the car is registered to SSS Enterprises and the registration is expired. Solid Steel Security's phone number is 505-450-1050. The message is definitely security related and mentions "on duty supervisors at night."

Since the company isn't licensed, incorporated or otherwise registered it is hard to understand who owns it. The phone number (505-450-1050) is registered o Natalie J. Sanchez. A previous "business" line for Solid Steel Security was 505-255-4758 and Natalie used this number as well. She has listed Solid Steel Svc. as an employer since February 1, 1999. The number 505-255-4758 is registered to a house at 4912 Haines Ave NE Albuquerque.

Hopefully, RLD and other state agencies take a closer look into this company and its unlicensed operations. Hopefully this company completes background checks on its guards, trains them properly and brings the registration current on the car that is pictured above. It pains me to see an unregistered car!

Where in the world is George T. Davis (National Security and Pro-Tech Security)? Albuquerque Security

George T. Davis Jr. and National Security (shortly doing business as Pro-Tech Security Services) has been involved in New Mexico security for many years. He and his companies provide security mainly to hotels, gas stations and liquor stores. They have a handful of active contracts at this time. He or his companies don't have security or investigaiton licenses to operate legally in New Mexico and he has been operating illegally for over three years.

Licensee: Davis, George T., Jr.
Albuquerque NM 87110
License No. 1062
License Type: Private Investigator
Issued: 8/24/1989
Expires: 6/30/2005
License Status: Expired

Licensee: Davis, George T., Jr.
Albuquerque NM 87110
License No. 621
License Type: Private Patrol Operator
Issued: 3/3/1982
Expires: 6/30/2005
License Status: Expired

Licensee: Davis, George T., Jr.
Albuquerque NM 87110
License No. 621
License Type: Firearms
Issued: 3/24/2000
Expires: 6/30/2001
License Status: Revocation

If the state is looking for actual proof that he is doing work without a license just look to the New Mexico Worker's Compensation Administration, where strangely enough, he maintains WC insurance for his workers.

WCA00864680105 NATIONAL SECURITY ENTERPRISES

This is truly a strange situation. Mr. Davis operates his company out of his house located at a mobile home park:

9000 Trumbull St. SE Space # 76 Albuquerque, NM 87123
Business phone: 505-266-0943

National Security Service Inc.'s corporate charter in New Mexico has been revoked so he just started another company. No big deal... The city of Albuquerque issued him a business license under the name: National Security Ent. LLC, which is his new company. The legal name is National Security Enterprises LLC (incorporated June 10, 2004). It lists the address of 305 San Pedro NE Albuquerque. Mr. Davis is listed as the registered agent.

National Security and Pro- Tect Security are lised on the Better business Bureau web site with favorable ratings despite the fact that neither company has a license. I feel safer knowing that BBB is watching my back. Don't you?

Mr. Davis is no joke. He and his company were once sued by a client for: Violation of New
Mexico Fair Trade Practices Act, Extortion, Intentional Infliction of Mental Distress and
Negligent Misrepresentation (D-202-CV-93116710).

He attempted to sue the NM PI Board, unsuccessfully. (D-202-CV-200703191).

New Mexico PI Board, RLD and law enforcement have been looking for him for a long time... Now you know where George Davis is hiding. Go get him! The IRS might want you to ask him where the $171,788 (as of 2003) that he owes them is. Undoubtedly, this large amount is for unpaid payroll withholding, 940 and 941 taxes. NM DOL wants to talk to him about their two judgements stemming from unpaid workers claims.

I scanned in relevant documents for review.

Download GeorgeDavis.pdf

Why don't you just do the right thing? Albuquerque New Mexico Security.

You know what is right and you know what is wrong. You know that for the past many years- the state and all of its agencies didn't do much to enforce laws against bad security companies or its owners. I've told you but I guess you don't believe that change is coming. There are laws on the books but you choose to ignore them. You are probably even speeding as you read this blog post on your I-Phone in the car. What is wrong with you?

Why would you care anyway. The security clients don't seem to care that you are unlicensed, employ felons, don't carry insurance, abuse your employees and defraud the public. Your employees apparently don't care enough to find a reputable company for work and when they pursue getting their money from the Department of Labor- it is already too late. Your illegal security company will be out of business soon anyway. In the meantime you make really good money because it is all gravy. It all goes in your pocket as a bad security company owner.

I'm not a fortune teller but I think the month of July will be interesting. My readers know that I do this (whatever "this is..) full-time. I don't like to waste my time and I don't believe that this time was spent in vein. It is time that the New Mexico Security Industry gets cleaned up for real, once and for all. Thank you for your support.

If you want to start a security company- do it the right way! Albuquerque Security

I have received a great number of e-mails from people working for companies that aren't legit. A few of them have shared their plans with me to start their own security companies. No problem- but just do it the right way or you will end up like your former bosses! Get the appropriate licenses with the state, city, RLD, PRC, etc. Get insurance. Pay taxes. Pay your employees. Register and background check you employees. Don't forget to train them according to the new state laws. Save some money because it is expensive to start a company.

The process of starting a security company might take many months if done legally and correctly. Don't do work or collect any money if you don't have a license. It is a crime and there might be consequences for your actions.

People think that it is easy and may try to play "fast and loose." I wouldn't recommend doing it that way for obvious reasons. If you don't do it the legal way expect to end up on this blog. I always need more material and investigation subjects...

Don't trust the Better Business Bureau- New Mexico Security

The Better Business Bureau web site has 36 security guard and patrol companies listed in New Mexico. 8 of these companies don't seem to have PPO licenses. The Better Business Bureau is supposed to be the symbol of trust and a safeguard against fraud. Why doesn't it verify licenses of its members? Below is a list of the questionable companies:

- Best Security and patrol- Las Cruces- BBB# 99126444
- X-Treme Protection- Albuquerque- BBB#46428
- ESA- Executive Security Associates- Alamogordo- BBB#45677
- Gryphon Security- Albuquerque- BBB#41893
- National Security Services- Albuquerque- BBB#9958 (George Davis)
- Pro-Tect Security- Albuquerque- BBB#42382 (George Davis)
- Safeguard Security Service- Santa Fe- BBB#39548

This is not a list of the unlicensed investigation companies. It only represents the security companies incorrectly listed with BBB under Security Guard and Patrol services. The BBB has spent millions of dollars branding its name and getting us to trust its symbol. This sample of deceptive companies doesn't represent the many New Mexico security companies that uses the BBB symbol without being a member. I have personally reported a number of these companies. The BBB pursues the illegitimate companies to join the BBB rather than take action against them for using the symbol illegally to mislead the public. Personally, I think it is a joke and I will not renew our company membership next year.

Employees say: they moved out in the middle of the night, phones disconnected, many employees abandoned, vendors owed money but Legit Security is still providing security services in Albuquerque.

Just another day in the New Mexico Security industry. Legit Security and its owners are on the move again. Employees say that they are still providing spotty service to some of their customers but are pulling out. Legit and its owners had a meeting scheduled with a Santa Fe homeowners association on Friday to refute claims of Legit Security not having Worker's Compensation Insurance, bouncing payroll checks and not complying with other regulations. They told the HOA that they were going to provide proof. Surprisingly, they didn't show up to the meeting. They didn't answer the phone when the client called- no calls were returned and other numbers were disconnected. Strange...

Past Legit employees- if you are owed money- you can call G3 (Gil Baca III) at 505-688-2233. It is his personal cellular phone. You can reach Joe Stidham at the Bosque Farms Police Department (he is the Chief) at 505-869-2358. The Department of Labor or New Mexico Worker's Compensation Administration might want this information.

BREAKING NEWS! Read the e-mail I got while I was writing this post:

Mr.Hamic,

Yes I have heard a little about Legit. Recently my friend I told you about went into the Legit offices to receive her final check. When she arrived she was told to wait outside, which she did. About 15 minutes later a couple of their guards came out and notified her that she was on private property and proceeded to kick her off property, their reason being she had no official business being on property. She then proceeded to call APD, and when officers arrived,Legit management came outside and have her a written personal check! That's about all I've heard at this time sir.

Maybe this is the reason that the offices were closed. Please notify me of other information. Day or night.

Summit Security & Investigation's office and car vandalized

I had a feeling that it would happen sooner or later. Some morons vandalized our office and broke the window out of one of our company vehicles. Three hispanic males driving a 1999 Dodge Neon perpetrated the crimes at two locations. The car vandalism was witnessed by multiple neighbors who gave the pertinent information to law enforcement. The office vandalism was caught on tape by covert surveillance cameras. These guys obviously didn't think they would get caught but I own an investigation company.

Two things.

How stupid do you have to be to do something like this out in the open to an investigation company? You didn't think you would get caught? Idiots. Unlike some security companies- we have insurance so the damage doesn't matter anyway. It will be repaired.

I will offer a $500 cash reward to information leading to the arrest of the individuals responsible. You might also be eligible for the Crimestoppers reward. Keep in mind that we already have a plate number, videos and handwriting samples of the individual who did most of the damage. Send me information and I will keep it confidential. Consider this. I am providing a lot of information about crimes to law enforcement. I will be a witness for the state. My investigators are compiling this information and will also be witnesses for the state. Doing stuff like this is considered "Intimidation of a Witness" and is a felony. Do you really want to go out like that?

Personally, I am feeling pretty intimidated... It's almost time for my next post.

I received a call from the NM PI Board today.

Mr. Steve Herrera, Board Administrator of the NM PI Board, called me today. Mr. Herrera told me last week that the managers/owners of Five O Security resigned their license effective last week. At the time, he said that he was reading their resignation letter. He explained to me today that they resigned their license effective June 30, 2008. He apologized for the incorrect information. I am not sure why the dates were confused.