BlueHippo scams Chickasaw couple

CHICKASAW, Ala. - A Chickasaw couple claims a computer company scammed them out of nearly $2000. The Federal Trade Commission said they're not the only ones who have had trouble with the company. The FTC has filed suit against BlueHippo.

Debbie and Richard Elliot live on a fixed income, so spending hundreds of dollars on a computer was out of the question. But they saw a commercial for Blue Hippo, a company that would allow them to make payments.

"Probably paying more for a computer than it was worth, but we were able to make payments," said Debbie Elliot.

To the Elliots, it seemed like a great idea.

"He did it for me because he knew how bad I wanted a new computer," said Debbie Elliot.

Little did the couple know, the company they were about to do business with was in trouble with the Federal Trade Commission.

The FTC claims many people who ordered products from BlueHippo paid money but received nothing in return. The FTC is asking a federal judge to hold the company in contempt for violating a previous settlement.

"The company is currently in bankruptcy and not operating. The FTC is not only suing so other people don't become victims, but also seeking monetary compensation for people who were victimized," said James Kohm, Director of Enforcement with the FTC.

The Elliots said they paid close to $2000 and still don't have a computer. Kohm isn't sure if they will get their money back.

"I would like to see them shut down, so it doesn't happen to other people," said Richard Elliot.

Detective Dennis Sullivan with the Chickasaw Police Department is working to make sure that happens. He filed a complaint with the government on behalf of the couple.

"We filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission for her (Debbie Elliot) to be added as a complainant in the suit," said Detective Sullivan.

The Better Business Bureau gave BlueHippo an "F", its lowest rating.

We tried several times to contact BlueHippo for a response. The phone number for the company's media representative left us with a message saying the mailbox was full.

Calls to the company's main number were answered by operators who gave us another number that was also of no use.