Joel from Your Local Merchant called me with a special promotion, here is the exact quote written to me in an email:
"Here is the email information you ask me to send to you, so you can learn how you can be on the FRONT PAGE of Google and over 35 other directories and search engines on the internet."
I am a single mother of 2 kids, and just started my own business a few months ago. I was dealing with a sick kid as Joel was explaining that they are having a special, $99 to set up and $199 a month, normally $199 to set up and $299 a month. He said only one business in my city would be chosen to take advantage of this special offer. Not thinking twice when he told me he would need my credit card info to "hold my spot" until later when I could talk, I gave it to him and asked him to email me some information. He recorded our conversation stating my credit card WOULD NOT BE PROCESSED.
I immediately canceled my credit card when he did not return my call later that evening. That is when I did the research on the company (felt like an idiot for not doing it first). I did a search for who owns the domain name through www.whois.com, and the name was just recently registered in Sept. Upon further research, even tho the company's website states they have been in business since every website they are affiliated with has no reviews any earlier than Sept 09. They appear to be written by employees.
Here is a copy of the email I received the next day (after I canceled my card):
"This is Joel. I was just told that our processing dept. Took the hold off of your position and ran your card & info. I'm talking with them right now to fix the situation. But, I wanted to contact you to let you know and to apologize for the error that was made. Please feel free to email me back and I will be giving you a call later on today.
Regards, <br clear="all">
—
Joel Glenn Wright
Account Executive
Your Local Merchant SEM
office: (949) 954-7956
[email protected]
"
This has SCAM written all over it.
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