I-Team: Boston Limo Service Mistaken For Company That Ripped Off Customers
BOSTON (CBS) -- Late last year, Semeen Ramsingh started getting unusual calls, emails and text messages from angry customers.
The people claimed they were scammed. They demanded refunds and threatened legal action.
Ramsingh and her husband, Rickhi, who have owned a Boston limo service company since 2007, were perplexed.
"None of it seemed right. I didn't know any of these customers," Semeen recalled. "I was beyond confused. I was losing my mind. I couldn't understand what was happening."
Eventually the limo service owners determined they were victims of mistaken business identity.
The complaints and negative online reviews were actually intended for Boston Elite Transportation, an airport limo service company exposed by an I-Team report.
The problem is the name is very similar to the Ramsingh's business: Boston Elite Limo Service. And after a Google search, it's very easy to see how customers confused the two businesses.
Things got so bad this year, and started to have such an impact on their bottom line, the Ramsingh's decided to change the name to Hummer Night Out to distance themselves from the negative publicity.
But some of the damage is already done. During the typically frenetic prom and wedding season, more of the company's livery vehicles have sat parked and unreserved, the couple told WBZ.
Besides the lost business, there is also the cost of changing the business signage on vehicles and creating a new web site.
"Headache is an understatement. It's been a total nightmare," Semeen said.
The Allston resident was shocked when she saw the I-Team report on Wednesday night.
"Charging people's credit cards and not showing up? Sending those text messages?" Semeen reacted. "What level of professionalism is that? That's not how you speak to people."
On Thursday, Semeen hoped the business name change and the I-Team story will help set the record straight.
"We are not that company! Please, please call me if you need a ride. Don't be stranded. Don't be upset. It's not me!" she said with a laugh.
Ryan Kath can be reached at rkath@cbs.com. You can also follow him on Twitter or connect on Facebook.