About December 15 I received a call from Advanced Merchant Funding (AMF) telling me about a way to earn income by installing credit card machines in small businesses. They told me that for $495 I would receive a territory of 250 miles in which I could contact businesses like restaurants, party stores and gas stations to sell them on the idea of using their credit card machines. They had, also, just opened up territories in Mexico and Canada. Since my sister was in Mexico for 4 months and lived in Canada the rest of the time, I could involve her in my business and get territories in each of those countries. (They were anxious to get agents in those countries). I would get a commission of $500 on each sale of a credit card machine and would also get residual income from the businesses' use of the credit card machines.in addition, should the business need a loan, they had money to loan small businesses through a program the Obama Administration had set up. I would receive a one time commission of 2% of the loan.
When I told them I didn't have $495 to spend on a business, they told me I could charge it and would never have to worry about paying the $495 as businesses were actively seeking loans. This "Obama Program" had opened up money for small businesses and the businesses were anxious to get loans. I told them I would try the business and they charged my credit card for $495 telling me I would receive literature to pass out to prospective customers who would then contact AMF if they were interested and they, AMF, would handle it from there. (I contacted my sister and told her about it, as I was excited about this opportunity).
On December 20, I received a call from Progressive Media Group. They told me they worked with AMF and I should forget about the original program as it was not the way to earn money. I should invest another $8,000 and they would obtain a list of 1000 names of businesses who they KNEW were looking for loans, and commissions on loans was where you would make your money. Again, it sounded like a sure thing, especially given the hard economic times and the fact that small businesses were having a hard time getting loans. Since this "Obama Program" was a stimulus program specifically designed to help small businesses and since the media was talking about the Obama stimulus programs, I thought it was a viable business. Progressive Media Group faxed me a contract for the $8,000 which I signed and faxed back to them. They charged $5,000 on one credit card and the $3,000 balance on another credit card (I saw nothing negative on the computer about them at that time). However, the contract had a clause that said you had 3 days in which to cancel. After thinking about it I decided to cancel the $8,000. I faxed my cancelation in on 12/22 well within the alloted time for cancelation. (You will notice this was during the Christmas Holiday Season). On January 4, I received a call from Progressive Media Group. They really pushed me to remain in the program. They told me that they had already purchased the list of 1000 names and made it sound like they were not going to refund my money. Finally they agreed to cancel the $3,000 on the one card but not the $5,000. Reluctantly I agreed to sign a new contract and they sent the cancellation for the $3,000 to my bank.
I had already filed a dispute with both credit card companies. To date I have not paid the $5,495 which is all on one credit card, however it is still in dispute and I'm afraid that I will be charged for it any day. The credit card company had sent me a letter earlier saying that if they could not resolve the dispute, I would be responsible for the $5,495.
I have not heard from Progressive Media Group, except when I called them. They had a web site which showed my "account number" on it. However, I could not get into it today. Of course, this wonderful list of 1000 business names KNOWN to be looking for a loan, has produced not one loan or one red cent of commission. Consequently, all the money supposedly available for loans, if it ever was available, must still be where it originally resided.
One thing is for sure. All the employees to whom I spoke at either AMF or at Progressive Media Group are all extremely accomplished LIARS and THIEVES. They have absolutely no conscience. They are able to knowingly take money for false purposes from people, probably the majority of whom are seniors on limited budgets. They certainly knew I was a senior, as I told them so. They, also, knew I was struggeling financially as I advised them of that too. I told them I could not afford to risk so much money.
It is my fault that I signed the contract, however, I did cancel it in time, only to be told that they would not refund the entire amount. I probably should have called a lawyer, but that costs money too.
My wish is that they are all prosecuted, made to return the money to all those who were deceived by false promises, and then be put in jail. The company names to remember are: Advanced Merchant Funding, Progressive Media Group, Web Solutions (the name which appeared on my credit cards) and Pinnacle Marketing Group (which appeared as the faxing company on their contract).
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