The Better Business Bureau of the Midwest Plains, which includes Kansas, is warning consumers of an online retailer that claims to operate from an address in Kansas.

The Bureau said it has completed an investigation of the firm Wrenley & Brynn, which markets women’s clothing and claims to operate from an address in Olathe, Kansas.  In less than a month, BBB has received 23 complaints and 7 negative customer reviews about the alleged company.

The BBB Business Profile for Wrenley & Brynn has had nearly 300 inquiries, and the total monetary loss reported by consumers amounts to several thousand dollars. Early Scam Tracker reports also indicated potential fraudulent activities, leading BBB to urge affected consumers to file complaints.

The business claims to operate from an address in Olathe, Kansas, listed on their website and Facebook page. However, BBB officials said they confirmed with the Johnson County Kansas assessor’s office that this address is invalid and not associated with Wrenley & Brynn. Mail sent to the business was returned, marked as “No Such Number” by the USPS.

Wrenley & Brynn was first reported to BBB in April 2024. Consumers allege that merchandise ordered from the website was not delivered, or the merchandise they received was not as pictured on the website and was of lesser quality than expected. Some consumers also reported receiving products with a return address in China. BBB has confirmed that the address listed on Wrenley & Brynn’s Facebook page is invalid, and the actual location of the business is unknown.

The BBB has some tips for online shopping:

1. Know the advertiser: Ensure you are shopping with a legitimate site. Missing contact information is a red flag.
2. Check a site’s security settings: A secure site’s URL should start with “HTTPS://” and include a lock icon.
3. Be a savvy shopper: Read the fine print, especially the return policy, before making a purchase.
4. Protect personal information: Understand how your personal data will be used and ensure the site has a privacy policy.
5. Think before you click: Be cautious of email solicitations and social media ads that seem too good to be true.
6. Beware of too-good-to-be-true deals: Offers may have hidden costs or sign you up for unwanted charges.
7. Beware of phishing: Avoid clicking on unfamiliar links in emails that may lead to malware or identity theft.
8. Shop with a credit card: Credit cards offer additional protection in case of fraudulent transactions.
9. Keep documentation of your order: Save confirmation pages and emails until you are satisfied with your purchase.
10. Keep a clean machine: Install and update firewall, anti-virus, and anti-spyware software regularly.
11. Look for the BBB Seal: BBB Accredited Businesses adhere to stringent standards of trust and reliability.