I am a registered nurse in the Dallas area.
I received a letter in the mail from the aforementioned company, informing me that I was chosen for a biographical feature in their company pending acceptance based upon a phone interview.
The letter explained that membership was at no cost to me. I filled out and submitted the on-line form. Several weeks later, while I was at work, I received a call from a lady representing Cambridge Who's Who. She asked to set up a time to interview me over the phone.
The phone interview occured today. The same lady politely inquired about my education level, awards, memberships to organizations, and future goals. She then started her pitch about membership. I could hardly believe what I was hearing. When she told me that the "Platinum membership" was "only $799.00" I almost fell out of my chair.
When I reminded her of no such indication of a fee in their letter, she never missed a beat, and continued her sales routine of offering the lower (but no less prestigious) gold membership; only $598.00!! Holy smokes, what a deal!!! I wanted to hang up, but I thought I would find out where this was going.
I explained to her, that I did not make financial decisions without first discussing them with my wife. The lady then defaulted to the lower (but still prestigious) five-month trial membership. (only $398.00)
I asked her if I could call her back. While still remaining professionally optimistic, she then reminded me that "now" would be the only opportunity that I would have to "take advantage" of what the Cambridge Who's Who had to offer (of which I am still unclear).
To hear her state it, people are beating the doors down to become members of their ambiguous enterprize, and a financial committment is required immediately!!!
I politely thanked her for the time, and during my explanation for why I would not be giving her any money today, she abruptly hung up on me. (Professionally, of course)
In my opinion, this certainly makes the case for a question of legitimacy regarding this particular company. What respected organization that you know of, insists on receiving money right there on the spot? Do legitimate professionals hang up on prospective clients who are very politely declining an "offer"? What "prestigious" organization declines to allow you the courtesy of taking the time to consider a financial committment?
This has scam written all over it.
Joey
Dallas, Texas
United States Minor Outlying Islands
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