Phone calls
Complaint
Gary
Country: United States
Same as everyone else, same pitch, same bull. I called the number in one the other complaints listed, pressed 3, then the operator asked for my #, I gave it to them and asked them to remove it from there list. They also asked for my name in which I replied they should already have it if I currently have a listing with them. She confirmed I had no account with them but had no answer for me when I confronted her the the telemarketer said my add would run out if I didnt confirm. They are a bunch of dirtbags and if I find a way to file against them I will let you know. By the way I did have to give a name, not my real name, but I know if I get a call for Hayward Jablowme, I will know who it is.
Comments
Since, as you have seen from other reports, they routinely engage in deceptive telemarketing, including extortionate demands for paying for unordered "listings", you should consider acting on their original deceptive telemarketing call.
They falsely claimed "your ad would run out", in an attempt to deceive you into thinking you already had an ad with them and were just renewing it on already agreed terms. That was attempted fraud, regardless of whether they now follow through and send you a "bill". File a complaint with FTC and your state Attorney General to report the attempt.
If you receive one of their "invoices" you will know they have taken the next step in their fraudulent scheme. Sending a bill or invoice for unordered merchandise if a violation of U.S. Postal regulations (i.e. "mail fraud"). You know you gave no such authorization, document your two contacts, sign and date, and if you get a fraudulent bill, file additional FTC and Attorney General complaints for attempted fraud, then a mail fraud complaint with the U.S. Postal Inspector.
Be sure to document all contacts, since if they send you a bill, they will probably follow with abusive telephone calls with threats of "damaging your credit" or "sending you to collections".
Have your written complaints on file before they proceed to this stage.
https://complaintwire.org/Complaint.aspx/nTZbHMpSGgBnugjLW2Akuw
https://complaintwire.org/Complaint.aspx/tYc4K1wNsACmMAjLZ-BuTg
Also note the 4 year prison sentence.
http://ftc.gov/opa/2009/06/iitd.shtm
"06/15/2009
FTC Obtains $2 Million Judgment Against Canadian Bogus Biller
The FTC has obtained a $2 million summary judgment against the leader of a Canada-based scheme that defrauded U.S. businesses out of millions of dollars by billing for unauthorized listings and advertisements in non-existent business and travel directories, and for unordered and undelivered office supplies and consulting services.
According to the FTC’s complaint filed in October 2006, four defendants in Ontario operated a scheme that targeted businesses and municipalities in the United States, and a related scheme aimed at hotels and resorts in this country and more than 25 others.
The court order requires Michael Robert Petreikis to pay $2 million in redress for victims and bans him from marketing or selling business or travel directories and listings. The order also bars him from misrepresenting that consumers have a preexisting business relationship or that consumers purchased, have agreed to purchase, or owe money for business or travel directory ads or listings, office supplies, or consulting services. In addition, Petreikis is prohibited from collecting payments on any invoices the defendants sent prior to the court order, and from disclosing or benefitting from personal information obtained as a result of activities alleged in the FTC’s complaint. The order also contains record-keeping and reporting provisions to allow the FTC to monitor compliance with the order.
The final judgment and permanent injunction were entered by Judge Robert W. Gettleman of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
Petreikis, also known as William George Fisk, pleaded guilty to criminal charges in Canada related to his participation in the scheme and received a four-year prison sentence. (http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/eng/02557.html)
The FTC investigated this case with the assistance of the Toronto Strategic Partnership, which, in addition to the FTC, includes the Toronto Police Service Fraud Squad, Telemarketing Section; the Ontario Provincial Police, Anti-Rackets Section; the Ontario Ministry of Government Services; Canada’s Competition Bureau; the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and the United Kingdom’s Office of Fair Trading.
..."
That they would attempt to con you by phone first, to get credit card information, rather than send an invoice at the time of the alleged transaction, which is normal business practice, indicates both the nature of their scam, and implies that they are trying to avoid violating mail fraud regulations against sending bills for unordered products. That implies that the level of complaints against them is reaching a level where they have to be careful.
Since they are now attempting to defraud you into paying for a listing you never ordered, file complaints with FTC, your state AG, and their state AG.
It is NOT just "he said/she said" when all the complaints allege the same thing.
because I could no longer continue talking to ANN THE REP. FROM !@#$!!!!!!
this is a total FRAUD!!!! I am going to file a complaint with the FTC.