Better Business Bureau Should Require ID Checks to Curb Abuse

by Structured Settlement Watchdog

David Springer has reappeared on the Better Business Bureau report for Sovereign Funding Group,  perhaps coincidentally, after being deposed in the matter of Woodbridge Structured Funding v Sovereign Funding Group and David Springer that is pending in Maryland Federal Court. Just a year ago in their answer to the Complaint in that matter, the Defendants stated Sovereign Funding had ceased operations. The re-appearance of Springer on the BBB follows my July 9, 2013 post Sovereign Funding Group's "James Goldstein" Story Falls Apart where I  demonstrated that the images of "James Goldstein" were simply purchased images from a photo stock library and observed the irony that BBB continues to give Sovereign Funding Group an accredited A+  despite displaying two fictitious characters.

The Better Business Bureau report for Sovereign Funding Group continues to list fictitious characters "James Goldstein" as  Sovereign Funding Group President and "Sandy Jackson" as, er, (Marketing) and then Mr. David Springer at an "address on file" with BBB Frederick MD 21274. 

For over a year Sovereign Funding Group was positioned as operating out of what proved to be a mailbox at a UPS store in Rockville, Maryland  that was purchased by David Springer and run by what proved to be a fictitious character "James Goldstein" whose presented academic credentials were completely fake. If Springer uses these characters as an alias it does not explain away the fake academic credentials.  Springer went to Concordia University, not Yale.

Efforts that were made to "bury" David Springer even included taking something that David Springer published in 2009 and attributing it to "James Goldstein".

David Springer is even endorsed by fictitious character "Sandy Jackson" on his current Linkedin profile.

In a 2011 Sovereign Funding promotional video David Springer was promoted as a lawyer when he appears to have no law degree.

The danger of the assumption of fake identities, impersonations or fake academic credentials in the solicitation of American consumers is obvious. The danger is even more acute when the targets for individuals and entities  engaging in this behavior,  are disabled or vulnerable Americans and their money or other financial assets.

In my opinion the Better Business Bureau should be asking for government issued photo identification as part of its due diligence on the business it rates. This is compeletely appropriate given that most structured settlement factoring companies often cite their Better Business Bureau report as their only credential. Upon information and belief there are other entities who cite fictitious characters on their BBB reports and use fake academic credentials to attract unwary customers. Requiring a government issue photo ID with the attendant criminal penalties for abuse might be an effective deterrent.