I replied to a Careerbuilder post for a sports promoter position and said I was interested in working part-time. I first talked to a man whose name I'm unsure of (perhaps Doug). He said he was going to refer me to his President, Nick.
When Nick called me the fun, and the lies, began.
Nick told me he was going to send me 8,000 flyers, and said I would need to make a deposit on my credit card. He said I would need to pay about $25 a month. But he told me not to pay the whole thing because I would be reimbursed plus interest in 6 months. I asked him why promoters don't just pay off the 25 dollars instead of accruing interest, and he said I COULD pay it all off if I wanted to, but no one does.
WHAT HE DIDN'T SAY IS THAT THEY DON'T PAY IT OFF BECAUSE IT'S A CHARGE OF $1,920. He was saying that my MINIMUM PAYMENT would be $25/month, while he wanted me to think that was the total payment.
Nick asked me if I was interested in being a Sports Promoter and I said "yes." To me, interested meant I was interested in hearing more. Then he said he would need to record part of our conversation, but never said that I would be contractually obligated by the time the recording was over.
After getting off the phone with Nick, I got a call from my Credit Card company informing me there was a charge of $1920 on my account, and they deemed it suspicious activity. I told them I did not authorize a charge in that amount.
I called Nick and he immediately played the tape for me. This time, SOMEHOW, on the tape he mentions the $1920, but it wasn't there the first time. I would've heard a number that large. When I confronted him about this, he told me I don't understand that companies can't do things like that. "That's considered fraud, " he told me. He told me that I made an honest mistake but I was contractually bound, and he told me to "be a man" and fulfill my obligation to his company.
Nick also made it sound like he worked for an owner. Which becomes particularly interesting considering Nick said he "idolizes the owner" he considers the man "a genius, " and "he can be your best friend or your worst enemy." All those things take on a new meaning when one realizes he's talking about himself.
He offered me a buyout that would return half my money, but I would have had to sign something saying I give up my rights to claims/disputes in the past, present, or future. Realizing there must be a better option, I contacted my lawyer. She told me to dispute it; she said no one would give my money to a scumbag like Nick.
I contacted my Credit CArd company and filed a dispute. I was concerned, however, because Nick told me he hadn't lost a dispute in 7 years. He also said, if I filed a dispute, he would turn me over to a collection agency and not only would I lose the entire $1920, but I would also be charged $1000 for from the collection agency, costing me closer to $3000, and he said my credit rating would be ruined. He said he was sorry, but this was his owner's (ha) policy.
Nick also lied, saying VISA only requires a verbal contract, meaning his deceitful (and probably doctored) tape. But VISA told me they won't even listen to a tape; it's not even considered by the company. My lawyer also told me this tape is worthless.
So if Nick is scamming you, and he'll try, don't believe his bit about the credit card company accepting his tape as a "verbal contract." In fact, you're better off not believing anything he says. I could share more details, and I will if anyone is interested in him, but the bottom line is: Nick is deceitful and he wants your money, and he'll do anything to get it.
The worst part is this: Nick has been lying, running this scam for so long (with Play to Win Sports prior to InSports), that I think he no longer realizes he's lying to people. He actually thinks he's providing a good opportunity to make money.
If anyone is interested in a class-action lawsuit, don't hesitate to contact me. I don't really care if I get anything other than my money back, but I want to prevent Nick from preying on people, stealing money from those who are sucked into his offer because they NEED money.
Tyler
Eaton, Ohio
U.S.A.
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