Business ProfileforLiving Free Center
Current Alerts For This Business
On 3/19/2021 and 3/26/2021, BBB asked the business to substantiate or modify the advertising claims made on its website, Twitter profile and Youtube profile.
The business claims on its website that "You can receive your H.S. Diploma in as little as 60 days", "SOME OF OUR SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS SEAL OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AUG. 26TH 1818 Publix TAG GLOBAL INSTITUTE Walmart Illinois Department of Children and Family Services", "RESULTS GUARANTEED!!!", "WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE NOT ONLY FINANCIALLY FREE, BUT WE WILL TURN YOUR DREAMS INTO REALITY. WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT YOUR MONEY MAKES MONEY FOR YOU!."
The business claims on Twitter that "Here at Living Free Center we offer a fully accredited high school program, Credit Repair Services and much more!"
The business claims in a Youtube video that "PERFECT CREDIT IN 90 DAYS OR LESS"
Per the BBB Code of Advertising Section 34, claims related to the performance, efficacy or results of a product or service must be substantiated with recent and competent testing or other objective data. All objective claims require substantiation with objective data. Additionally, Per Section 20.1 of the BBB Code of Advertising, advertisements of guarantees must include a clear and conspicuously disclosure that full details of the guarantee can be seen prior to sale at the advertiser's location, viewed online, or be made available free on request.
The business agreed to provide a response by 4/2/2021.
On 6/30/2021 the business informed us that they removed the following claims from their advertising:
"You can receive your H.S. Diploma in as little as 60 days"
"RESULTS GUARANTEED!!!"
"WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE NOT ONLY FINANCIALLY FREE, BUT WE WILL TURN YOUR DREAMS INTO REALITY. WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT YOUR MONEY MAKES MONEY FOR YOU!."
Additionally, the business' website was modified to include the claim "We are registered and recognized by the board of Education." Per the Illinois State Board of Education they are neither registered or recognized as of 6/30/2021. BBB requested that the business modify or remove this claim.
The removed items have been resolved. As of 6/30/2021, BBB is awaiting modification, substantiation, and removal of the remaining claims.
The BBB Code of Advertising states:
1. Basic Principles of the Code
1.1 The primary responsibility for truthful and non-deceptive advertising rests with the advertiser. Advertisers should be prepared to substantiate any objective claims or offers made before publication or broadcast. Upon request, they should present such substantiation promptly to the advertising medium or BBB.
1.2 Advertisements which are untrue, misleading, deceptive, fraudulent, falsely disparaging of competitors, or insincere offers to sell, shall not be used.
1.3 An advertisement as a whole may be misleading by implication, although every sentence separately considered may be literally true.
1.4 Misrepresentation may result not only from direct statements, but by omitting or obscuring a material fact.
34. Claimed Results
Claims relating to performance, energy savings, safety, efficacy or results for a product or service should be based on recent and competent testing or other objective data.
Additional business information
On 3/29/2019 and 4/04/2019, the BBB serving Chicago and Northern Illinois requested that the business substantiate, modify, or discontinue advertised claims made on the businesses website. The business claims "Our student's SAT scores are above the national average, and 91 percent go on to college."
The BBB Code of Advertising states that, "Superlative statements in advertisements about the tangible qualities and performance values of a product or service are objective claims for which the advertiser must possess substantiation as they can be based upon accepted standards or tests." The business failed to provide any substantiation to this claim.
Due to the business offering High School Diplomas for purchase, we requested that they provide documentation proving that they are recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education. They again failed to provide us with the documentation requested.
Finally, the business claims to provide Credit Repair services as a 501(c)(3) organization. We requested documentation showing that the business is a registered 501(c)(3) with the Illinois Attorney General. If they were unable to provide this information, we asked the business to complete a list of Credit Repair questions as a way to vet what type of Credit Repair they perform, Advanced- Fee Credit Repair or Non Advanced-Fee Credit Repair. The business failed to provide the necessary documentation showing registration with the Illinois Attorney General, along with failing to comply with our standard Credit Repair questions.
Throughout our investigative process the business failed to respond to multiple attempts at communication. As of April 10, 2019, the business has failed to make the requested substantiations and have failed to provide the necessary documentation.
At-a-glance
Related Categories
Business Details
- Location of This Business
- 5467 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60651-2858
- BBB File Opened:
- 7/7/2016
- Years in Business:
- 15
- Business Started:
- 10/2/2009
- Business Incorporated:
- 10/2/2009
- Type of Entity:
- Corporation
- Business Management
- Mr. Timothy Wright, President
- Contact Information
Principal
- Mr. Timothy Wright, President
Customer Contact
- Mr. Timothy Wright, President
- Additional Contact Information
Fax Numbers
- (312) 428-5104Primary Fax
Email Addresses
- Primary
- (312) 428-5104
Customer Complaints
0 Customer Complaints
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