| For Immediate Release | CONTACT: | Holly Anderson, ext. 114 |
| February 10, 1998 | Tara Finck, ext. 116 | |
| (202) 835-3323 | ||
Oregon Consumer, California Vendor..."I was a successful bidder on a Seagate 2.1 GB Hard drive...Arrangements were made via e-mail for the payment to be made by money order ...Payment was shipped to the address. The hard drive arrived without documentation or warranty information as advertised. In installing the hard drive, it was discovered that the drive had sustained physical damage. I attempted first to contact [him] ... via the e-mail address...the account had been closed. I tried to contact him at home, but the line has been disconnected."
Consumer's City: Beaverton State/Province: OR
Company's City: Dracut State: MA
Initial Contact: Newsgroup (please state which one in comments)
Amount of Money Requested: $98.85
Amount Paid: $98.85
Payment Method: Check
Courier: US Postal Service
Date of Transaction: 12/02/96
Summary of Events:
- Saw an advertisement for delphite roman arch salt & pepper shakers on AOL Board (Kitchen Glass) and contacted the seller and made an offer which was accepted. I sent a check to this firm and when I received the shakers they were not delphite and I told them I wanted to return them. I packed the shakers extremely well and they are very heavy glass, however, XXXXXXX informed me that one broke during shipment. He requested that I send him my Postal Insurance receipt and he would refund my money. I sent the receipt back to him (I have copies of what was sent), he then said he would not return my money until he was reimbursed from the post office. Since that time (early January), he has not responded to my e-mails nor has my money been refunded. I believe that this company has not only kept my initial money, but has probably defrauded the post office on the insurance claim and has kept that money as well. I also want to point out that I was specifically assessed 5% Massachusetts sales tax on this transaction.
Indiana Consumer, Florida Vendor...Summary of Events: "Person was advertising used notebook computers... Wanted $70 cash as down payment and the remainder of $430 to be sent to him after [delivery]. I sent the cash Express Mail and someone at the address signed for it. After I figured that they were not going to be sending the computer to me, I told them I [would]...report them...They then sent me an e-mail message admitting that they had ripped me off and said they would return my money as soon as possible. However they would not return any e-mail ... and there isn't a phone number ... that I can find."
Arkansas Consumer, Utah Company...Amount of Money Requested: $72.85 per month; Amount Paid: $72.85; Payment Method: Bank Account Debit... "I received an e-mail telling me I could make lots of money in a new MLM opportunity and never have to sell anything or even talk to anybody. ...The web site promoted a...system where all you have to do is sign up to purchase their products at a specified amount per month depending on which of the 2 levels you choose. ...In my case, I didn't get anything from them, but e-mail...(and) a check for $2.57 as a distributor rebate. On the checks there are genealogy reports which show the people in each of your downline levels, which showed zero in all levels. I watched...for the next couple of months and the people in my downline remained zero. I have since sent numerous requests to them to count me out and leave me alone, since they're not doing what they're supposed to do. They finally stopped sending e-mail, but continue to try debiting my checking account..."
Consumer's City: Golden State/Province: CO
Company's City: Lenexa State: KS
Initial Contact: Newsgroup (please state which one in comments)
Amount of Money Requested: $25,900
Amount Paid: $25,900
Payment Method: Cashiers Check
Courier: USPS
Date of Transaction: 07/02/96
Summary of Events:
I "invested" in a "Program III" with XXXXXX as a distributor of licensed XXX and XXXXX products in July 1996. This was after meeting with a representative (Mr. XXX XXX) from the company. He gave false promises of 6-figure incomes and of course good service. I did contact references provided me by XXXXXX, all of which were positive. However, when I asked for names/numbers of existing distributors in the Denver, CO area, they refused. This information, they promised, would be given to me once I became a distributor. Of course, after I paid the money, employees at XXXXXX have ceased to return my phone calls. Acquiring product from them is extremely difficult and delayed. The product quality once it gets to me is quite poor due to lack of screening in the warehouse. Credit memos take weeks and sometimes months to get and are often incorrect.
The profits are not, of course, what they promised. In fact, they are not even a fraction. I sent a letter to Mr. XXX XXX, President of XXXXXX, asking him to contact me so we could resolve the problems of a dissatisfied distributor/investor. I have not been contacted by anyone at XXXXXX regarding my complaints. I have in fact been hung up on on more than one occasion and have been treated very rudely.
I realize this was a poor investment on my part, but would like to enter arbitration if possible to recoup some of my investment. How do I go about doing this? In addition, please warn others about this company and others like it (XXXXXX., Las Vegas) just trying to make a fast buck.
Note: A $5,180 deposit of the total $25,900 was made using my MasterCard (issuing bank: 1stBank of CO) on June 17, 1996. The balance of $20,720 was issued in the form of a Cashier's Check by the same bank on July 2, 1996.
Kansas Consumer, Utah Company..."Summary of Events: "I placed an order ... for their Home-Based Liquidation business...I'm embarrassed to say I chose the "Internet Safe Pay" method. ...I was to receive my order within 24 hours. Needless to say...they still haven't sent my order. My bank tells me that the order has cleared my account. I have tried to call them, but they never answer. I sent them a fax regarding the status of my order, and have received no response. I have written several e-mail messages, and again, I've heard nothing. I'm not worried about losing $31. It's more the principle of the thing. Maybe by reporting what happened to me, I'll help prevent someone else from losing some money or worse."
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