I believe I am the victim of an internet scam where the company concerned is based in Utah. I will explain the situation and hope that I can stop someone else suffering.
A few days ago I received an email newsletter pertaining to be from a marketing expert that I have signed up with. His name is Jeff Alderson. The email directed me to a site where I entered my name and phone number in order to possibly be one of 50 people selected to take part in a mentoring programme.
Yesterday evening I was contacted by a Craig Johnson claiming to be working for Jeff Alderson saying that I had passed through the initial round of selections and was being interviewed in order to get onto a shortlist from which the 50 'lucky' people would be selected. I was asked a number of questions relating to my experience, the amount of time I had available to work with them and also if I had credit card funds in order to fund the advertising budget etc. After answering these questions I was told I had passed that interview and would be transferred to a person called Anthony Seagin who would go through things in detail with me.
Mr Seagin is an extremely proficient salesperson and didn't really let me get a word in edgeways. He told me that my money would be safe, I was guaranteed to make back at least my initial investment within 2-3 months and that I had 3 days to cancel if I changed my mind. I was told that the cost would be $4100. I gave Mr Seagin the details of 2 credit cards to fund the amount. I was passed to an associate to confirm everything. A contract was then emailed through which I signed and emailed back. The contract confirmed the 3 day cancellation period. The amount was debited from one of my cards immediately, however the issuing bank for the other card put a stop on it, thank goodness.
After getting off the phone I started to get a little troubled when I thought about some of the things that Mr Seagin had said. He claimed to be working for Jeff Alderson and also a Michael Glaspie (another internet marketing expert). I have since been in touch with Mr Glaspie and he has denied all knowledge of these people. The company that the contract is with is Education, Sales and Marketing LLC. They appear to be a child company of Shanklin International. I have carried out some research and it seems that both of these companies are 'dodgy'.
There are tales of people being ripped off, not receiving goods/services paid for and not being able to get refunds. The other concerning thing is that they use an email address which looks like it is part of infowest.com.infoWest is a hosting provider and their site doesn't say anything about internet marketing courses. I have contacted them to alert them to a possible misuse/misrepresentation of their company and email.
This morning I contacted Anthony Seagin using the phone number he gave me (435 652 4670). He became extremely agressive on the phone, swearing and generally being abusive. He told me initially that I could have a refund minus an administration fee of $600 and that it would take between 10 days and 2 weeks for me to receive it. I asked him what would happen if I hadn't received it in that time and he became more aggressive, saying that now he refuses to cancel my agreement and that I can't have any of my money back. I have not received anything from this company, and I believe that I am unlikely to do so. Mr Seagin has suggested that in order to recoup any money I need to start fraud proceedings with my credit card company.
I have contacted the Utah Attorney General with full details of my situation.
Salli
brisbane
Australia
0 comments