This is a little complicated, so bear with me. At the bottom of this document, there will be a list of what I discovered, so read on and DON'T GET INVOLVED WITH THESE GUYS! Btw: these usacomplaints. Coms are great, but I've noticed that most of the respondents can't spell. This explains a great many things...
Sunday
I received an email directly from a "TODD KLEIN" at Cornerstone America with a subject line "In regards to your resume" last Sunday. This had something to do with a sales position, but didn't mention the product. This is damn peculiar seeing's how I've been an I.T. Guru for 25 years! This email from "TODD KLEIN" came from an SBCGLOBAL.net email account. It stated that he thought I was a qualified sales rep. Right then, I knew this was a SCAM, but just for the helluva it, I played along. I replied to "TODD KLEIN" to have him to tell me more. You could not reach him by phone - EVER, just voice mail. I have all correspondence in these email threads between the two of us.
Monday
I received a reply from "TODD KLEIN" (from a mw-ins.com email address) asking me to come in for my "INTERVIEW" at their facility off of Airport Freeway in Bedford, TX and to be there at 10:00 the next day to discuss this "Once-of-a-lifetime" opportunity. I was close by, so I agreed to meet him. I got there a little early and noticed several cars pulling up with some respectable people going into the building. I followed suit.
I met some chick named "VERONICA" (no last name, no business cards or email address. I spoke to her earlier by phone. I asked her what they sold, she was vague as hell. She gave me an an "APPLICATION" that was basically a contact info sheet. This was in the front office area. It was a nice place, but there wasn't a soul in the building that I could see. She led me to a "CONFERENCE ROOM" that looked a cool little movie theater with say, about 50 seats in it. All chairs even had their own little cup holders. How cute! In this "CONFERENCE ROOM" I found about a dozen of the people I saw out in the parking lot. After about a 10 minute wait, "TODD KLEIN" came in and did a NICE presentation. Only one lady asked a few questions. They told you how much "MONEY" you're going to make. You know, "BIG MONEY". He also said that this would be on a "1099-BASIS" (major flag). They told you that after a 3-day class, you'll take your test to obtain your license and then you're off to the races. You see, I make the "BIG MONEY" and that requires an "EDUCATION" of some sort, "HARD WORK", and "DEDICATION". This was too easy. Read a book, take a test, and then you'll be maikng 150k. This was starting to get fun. After the "PRESENTATION", I waited for my "INTERVIEW" with "TODD KLEIN" for about 10 minutes. I met with him for about 30 seconds and he asked me on a scale of 1-to-10, how do I think I'd fit in here. I told him a 10. He never asked about my background or anything like that. He told me he would call me back between 4:00 and 5: PM. He called right at 5: PM while I was grocery shopping. I didn't think he'd call to be honest with you. He wanted me to drive to his office in Dallas, Tx the following morning (the day I wrote this). He asked me to bring my driver's license, social security card and "CHECK" or "MONEY ORDER" in the amount of $247.00 USD. I agreed to meet him, but really had no intention of doing so. "TODD KLEIN" emailed me the info to find the place along with a STRANGE REQUEST". This came from his email to me:
Make it out to TKIA and I in turn will then send off a money order to the Insurance Center who will then send off a check to TDI. I enjoyed our meeting as well and I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.
Todd
I already knew what "TKIA" (Todd Klein Insurance Agency) and "TDI" (Texas Department of Insurance) had to stand for. I asked him so he would put it in print. His response is below.
The insurance center is UICI our parent company. I send all paperwork into them to process and send off to TDI. I convert all checks to money orders because I have had people in the past bounce checks which I ended up having to cover. So it is basically just covering myself. For all of the people that I hire for the week I just send over a money order to the insurance center so that I am not held responsible for any bounced checks. I hope that this clarifies things a little and I am sure that you would not bounce any check, however I just have always taken this precaution and will continue to do so for my own safety.
Todd
He better be worried about his "SAFETY". (Did I say that?)
That evening I researched the h*l out of "CORNERSTONE AMERICA", "UICI" (the parent company apparently, and "MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE OF TENNESSEE". My findings are below with my commentary. This won't let you hyperlink, so I'll give you the keywords you can use on a search engine under my heading "RESOURCES". You might want to take a 5-minute break before continuing...
WHAT IS KNOWN (or rather unknown in some instances)
"cornerstone america", "uici", "mid-west", et al
There is no listing in the phonebooks anywhere in Texas, but In Bedford, there are two buildings with their sign. There are listings for "UICI" however.
Why were there no people (staff) there?
They ARE NOT A LICENSED INSURER! See "RESOURCES" at the end and check for yourself. This is an official Texas site. On this site, look up "CORNERSTONE", "UICI", "MID-WEST" or Todd's like company called "TKIA". The Texas Dept of Insurance has never heard of them.
"TODD KLEIN" is licensed however, in CO. He can't sell insurance here in Texas.
You would work for them on a 1099-basis (contractor). If they, or you violate any law as outlined in the insurance code, YOU, NOT THEM ARE IN SERIOUS JEOPARDY!!! Want to lose your house?
Web addresses "mw-ins.com" (Mid-West Insurance) and "uoneofakind.com" (off of their brochure) all REDIRECT YOU to "cornerstoneamerica.net".
Why are "TODD KLEIN" and "VERONICA'S" phone numbers different on each email exchange? One of "TODD KLEIN'S" numbers had a CO area code. He did say in the presentation that he was from CO, but had been here for some time.
What does "UICI" stand for? Who knows? It ain't on the web.
There is a valid website for MIDWEST, but it's not mw-ins.com like "TODD KLEIN'S" email address. MIDWEST is of "TENNESSEE", but they may be headquartered here in Tx.
Licensing requirements. Goto the site below to check this out. You can't get licensed in 3 days like you think. Search for a document called the "INSURANCE CODE". To be licensed, you'll need far more than 3 days's worth of "TRAINING".
So what about the fees to get my license? The state website will show you that some tests ar $50 dollars and some are $65."TODD KLEIN" said the $240 was for the test (one) and license fees. It doesn't add up "TODD-STER".
More on the "FEES". OK, so "TODD KLEIN" emailed me asking me to write a check to "TKIA" for the fees right? He'll deposit my check to make sure it doesn't "BOUNCE". He'll then send a MONEY-ORDER to "UICI", which in turn will send my money to the "TDI". Remember, all MONEY-ORDERS ARE UNTRACEABLE! Either way you look at it, this transaction is damn peculiar!
Now for some speculation
If I make out a check to "T K I A" and the letters are a little spaced apart, you can insert "ood" do it looks like "Todd" and then insert "le" in between the "K" and the "I", followed by one quick swipe changing the "A" to an "N" and what to you get? You get "todd FING klein". I grew up in banking and we used to play little games like that thinking of clever acronyms to change into a person's name on a check. The bulls*about him "PROTECTING" himself from hot checks is pure crap. Hey "TODD", ever hear of TELECHECK dude?
Or he could be doing this instead. He could be some poor old smuck from CO brokering new recruits for a "FEE", submitting the $65 bucks to "UICI" along with the "PAPERWORK" to a VERY QUESTIONABLE ORGANIZATION. This "ORGANIZATION" has been, and continues to be sued from everything from unfair trade practices to out and out fraud. This outfit, with it's many layers of companies, is like an ONION, It stinks like one to be sure.
Conclusion
If you got this far, I'm glad because I put a lot of work into this so I can save some poor b*tard out there. If any of you want to send a rebuttal, bring it on! You can even email me if you wish. I believe that all of these "COMPANIES" are engaging in deceptive trade practices in two ways:
1. Misrepresenting insurance policies, to customers that is not good for them.
2. Receiving payment on a short-term basis for these policies only to have the customer cancel later. What the h*l, you made a few bucks.
3. Have been charged by the State of Colorado for fraud,
misrepresentation and direct violations of CO's insurance laws.
4. Engaging directly, or indirectly, in unsolicited email spam from data mined
5 Emailing unsolicted and prospective "JOB OPPORTUNITIES"
to members on these search engines.
6. Clandestinely, misled the job seekers into believing that there is a "REAL" job opportunity.
7. You charge a FEE, under false pretenses I dare say, to
a job applicant, on a 1099-basis without the proper
documentation (like an I-9). This is ILLEGAL.By collecting a "FEE" you are entering into an agreement to train, license, and employ them as an "INSURANCE AGENT". Since there are more then one of them, this constitutes a CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD.
8. The "FEE" is always a little less than what would constitute a felony. Hmmmmm.
What i've already done
OK, you're still here, good for you. Read on. We're almost done.
The name "TODD KLEIN" may or may not be his. You can search him on the web. Two websites, he's giving
testimonials about other services, citing his position at Cornerstone. He's a web-marketing bastard. Bet his
ol' lady is a cow! (why'd I say that)?
1. Took some pics of "TODD" getting into a car with license number. My snitches in law enforcement should
have him ID'ed this afternoon. Same goes for "Veronica".
2. Have consulted The Attorney General's Office who is going to perform a full investigation...
3... Dragging in the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), the Texas State Comptroller, and
subsequently, the US Department of labor. The FTC and SEC have to follow along.
4. Have obtained "TODD KLEIN'S" fingerprints to aid in his identification.
Resources
"uoneofakind.com" which is "ornerstoneamerica.net", which is "w-ins.com"
On your search engines, use these keywords:
"todd klein insurance"
"texas insurance license" * VERY IMPORTANT STATE of TEXAS WEBSITE
"mid-west insurance fraud" * The $40,500.00 fine they had to pay in CO.
Message to "todd klein"
I went through the motions with you out of fun. You virtual-company types are a scream! I was intrigued to see one of your officials on your website went by the name "JIM JONES". You can't use a name like that anymore dude! Sorry I turned down the pink lemonade the other day bro. You know how it is. I wonder how many people actually pay you? There's one born every minute I guess. Anyway, you'll be ID'ed very soon and these good people that read my rather long document are going to be emailing me. I'm going to tell them everything. Better start looking over your shoulder 'pardner, 'cause TEXAS is a ROUGH PLACE. You've been told...
Hey everybody, contact me at You can two if you want to "TODD KLEIN".
Tom
Dallas, Texas
U.S.A.
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