Last week, inspired by Tim Cushing's story at Techdirt and by about a kajillion email tipsters, I wrote about KlearGear's deceitful and thoroughly despicable non-disparagement clause that it has used to abuse at least one critic of its customer service. Clever visitors have diligently researched some of KlearGear's corporate connections and leadership, which appear in the comments to that post.

Today a tipster pointed out that KlearGear's web site lays claim to TRUSTe certification:

TRUSTe, among other things, certifies good privacy practices:

Only those online companies that have earned TRUSTe certification and uphold TRUSTe's high standards for best privacy practices are displayed. These TRUSTe clients recognize the direct impact on customer decisions of best privacy practices backed by our certified privacy seal.

Here are the problems with KlearGear's display of the TRUSTe certified privacy seal:

1. A source within TRUSTe informs me that genuine seals are clickable links leading to a certification page; this is just an image on KlearGear's page.

2. KlearGear is not in TRUSTe's searchable database of certified sites.

3. My source within TRUSTe confirms that KlearGear.com has never been TRUSTe certified.

In evaluating the credibility of my source and the significance of KlearGear putting the TRUSTe certification image on its website, remember what the Better Business Bureau reported in 2012 about KlearGear:

As of November 28, 2012, the BBB became aware that the company's website is displaying a BBB Accredited Business logo and BBB Rating A+; however, the comapny is not a BBB accredited business and the BBB rating is not A+. The BBB contacted the company regarding these issues and this matter is pending the company's response. As of November 28, 2012, the BBB discovered that some pages of the company's website display the BBB Accredited Business Logo and state "BBB Rating A+", when neither is true. The BBB contacted the company at the Michigan mail drop address instructing the company to immediately remove the incorrect BBB logo and reference from their site. This matter is currently pending.

Perhaps there is an explanation for what appears to be repeated misrepresentations about endorsements of KlearGear.

Or perhaps not.

The Federal Trade Commission might be able to help sort it out.

Last 5 posts by Ken White