Business ProfileforPruvit

On August 31, 2018, BBB notified Pruvit Ventures Inc., about a concerning pattern in consumer complaints regarding the company's marketplace practices.

Specifically, BBB identified patterns of allegations that the company 1) unreasonably delays processing and/or honoring its refund policy, 2) unauthorized creation of accounts and enrollment of consumers with the unauthorized sale of products and billing in association with the unauthorized enrollment, and/or 3) lack of clear terms and conditions regarding the auto-renew (negative option) policy. BBB requested the company's voluntary cooperation in eliminating the identified pattern in consumer complaints.

As of February 20, 2020, the business has communicated steps to address the patterns of complaints identified by BBB and appears to have successfully eliminated the pattern of complaints regarding the unauthorized creation of accounts and confusion over their auto-renew (negative option policy).

BBB continues to receive, however, a significant number of complaints regarding unreasonable delays or difficulty in processing and/or honoring refund requests. The business outlined the following strategies they have implemented to combat these complaints:

***Increasing the number of Customer Support Staff, including those capable of providing support to international clients,
***Assigning a member of their Legal Department to review and respond to all BBB complaints,
***Clarified return policy procedures so customers have clear instructions for how to return products.

BBB will continue to monitor the business over the next several months to determine if the action plan provided is successful at eliminating this remaining concern.

On April 24, 2020, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sent multi-level marketing (MLM) company, Pruvit Ventures, Inc. (Pruvit), a warning letter regarding health and earnings claims related to coronavirus (COVID-19). The FTC's letter tells the company to immediately stop their distributors from telling people that they're likely to get rich by investing in the business. They also demand the company immediately stop all claims that their products can treat or prevent COVID-19, as there's no evidence or scientific testing supporting claims that those products can help prevent or treat the disease.

Some examples of Coronavirus prevention or treatment claims made by Pruvit participants or representatives include:

* "Got the coronavirus heebeegeebees? Boost your immunity with this amazing deal!!!!" The image accompanying the post shows Pruvit products beneath the phrase "Immunity Boost Pack."

* "With all the concerns over the COVID-9 Coronavirus Instead of stockpiling toilet paper, you need to do something to help you fight the virus! Boost your immune system with our Immunity Boost Pack! Use intermittent fasting in conjunction with our ketones, signal OS caps, and MCT 143! Order while supplies last! #immunesupport #immunesystem #immuneboost #coronavirus #covid_19." The image accompanying the post shows Pruvit products beneath the phrase "Immunity Boost Pack."

An example of earnings claims made by Pruvit participants or representatives include:

* A video titled "How to make money from home with the new Pruvit promo," with the statement: "I can tell you that there's thousands of people that are out of work right now. They're all looking for a way to go earn money. This is a great stimulus package, because you get to teach somebody how to go earn $1,730 literally in their first 10 days in the business."

In letters alleging unsubstantiated health claims, the FTC states that one or more of the efficacy claims made by the companies are unsubstantiated because they are not supported by scientific evidence, and therefore violate the FTC Act. In letters alleging unsubstantiated earnings claims, the FTC reminds the companies about what constitutes a false or misleading earnings claim that would violate the FTC Act.

The FTC advised the company to review all claims relating to their products and business opportunity and immediately cease, and require their business opportunity participants and representatives to cease, making claims that are not supported by the evidence or substantiation described above.

To view the FTC's press release go to: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2020/04/ftc-sends-warning-letters-multi-level-marketers-regarding-health

To view the warning letter sent to Pruvit Ventures, Inc. go to: https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/warning-letters/covid-19-letter_to_pruvit_ventures_inc.pdf