PHOENIX -- Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced today that Charles Richard Montoya Mayville of Alternative Online Design LLC will pay up to $265,000 to consumers who purchased work from home opportunities and advertising services from Alternative Online Design LLC. In a consent judgment reached with the Attorney General’s Office, Mr. Mayville is also banned from selling any business opportunity in Arizona for 20 years.
“While there are some legitimate internet business opportunities, if you are being pressured into investing in something without time to do research, walk away," said Attorney General Mark Brnovich. "Potential business partners should respect your need to thoroughly vet an opportunity before committing time or money. Consumers really need to do their homework on companies and individuals before handing over their hard earned money."
The Attorney General’s Office launched an investigation into Alternative Online Design LLC, after receiving complaints that the company allegedly misrepresented that consumers who purchased a website built by the company could make thousands of dollars each month in commissions through that website. The complaint alleges that Alternative Online Design LLC could not identify a single consumer who earned enough money to recoup the purchase price of the company’s services. The Better Business Bureau provides an "F" rating for the company.
The Attorney General’s Office is in the process of evaluating which consumers are eligible for restitution. If you purchased a website from Alternative Online Design LLC and believe you are entitled to restitution in this matter, please file a consumer complaint with the Attorney General’s Office by March 29, 2019.
You can file a consumer complaint by contacting the Attorney General’s Office in Phoenix at (602) 542-5763, in Tucson at (520) 628-6648, or outside the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas at 1(800) 352-8431. Bilingual consumer protection staff members are available to assist. Consumers can also file complaints online by visiting the Attorney General’s website.
Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Bonham handled this case.
A copy of the consent judgment is available.