Complaint Review: Members Learning Center - Internet

Do not fall for this scam like I did. They are very good at sucking you in.  

On May 13, I replied to a work-at-home job listing that was on one of the internet job sites that send me employment opportunities. I initially paid the $97.00 and then I purchased the E-Books for an additional fee of about $30.00.  I needed to ask a question about the program so I called the number they listed for their Customer Care Agents, 855-288-5896.

Instead of asking my question they started in on the coaching that they had available. They stated that anyone who doesn’t use their coaches won’t make any money because they won’t know how to do it the correct/efficient way. They said it would only take 10-15 hours a week to be successful in making money right away. I was told that I was a candidate for getting a coach. I was then contacted by Chad Huntsman, (801)770-1270, to assign me a coach.

I then received a call from one of the coaches, Marty Twelves, (866)850-4871, who proceeded to explain the program to me. It made sense to me at the time because he said if you work hard you will be successful very quickly and using capital leverage you would not spend any money out of your pocket.  I am currently unemployed and so probably a little vulnerable to a job that could help me until I was hired somewhere that had benefits, etc. After all the hype he told me that the cost was $7,895.00, a one-time charge, and that if I put it on my credit card then I would be able to at least make the monthly minimum payment by what I made using their program.

I went ahead and charged it to my credit card. He explained to me that it would be tax deductible at the end of the year because it’s a business expense. I was given access, by Members Learning Center, to several recorded Webinars, most of which were by Trevor Shipp (coach). I was following exactly what I was told and it took many more hours than the 10-15 per week I was told.

I was to have a follow-up call with my coach the next week but before that happened I received a call from Dan Altamirano who said he was with Daeus Financial. That was the first time I had heard that company name. He was going to be the one to help me set up my internet business and he proceeded to explain that process, including him getting a tax ID number for me. He then started talking about getting a business credit card, opening a business checking account.

Then came the explanation of a Stand Formation and an Unlimited Formation. This was an additional cost that I was not informed about when I started this program. The Standard one was $1,795.00 and the Unlimited was $3,595.00. He said that most people choose the Unlimited Formation so if they get sued they can’t come after you personally and it’s good for multiple streams of income.

Now I felt trapped because I had already spent the $8k and if I didn’t do it then I had wasted that money. I paid for it reluctantly but then started questioning their motives. Once I found out the actual name of the business I was able to search for complaints online. I did not find one positive comment on either of these companies.  The BBB, (neither are members) rated Members Learning Center an F because of all of the complaints. Daues Financial was given a B- because of all of the complaints. They didn’t have enough information about them to list anything else.

I was sent an e-mail with an attachment to sign electronically. I didn’t sign it now that I found out this information. I called on May 22, to cancel and get a refund. I was given an appt with a Consumer Relations Representative. I told him I wanted to cancel and be refunded my money. He said that he has never heard of “them” refunding anyone. He put my account on hold and told me to call Daeus Financial because they had nothing to do with them. I left a message for Dan A. that I would be cancelling and that since I didn’t sign anything I wanted a refund to my credit card for the business set up fees.  

I am going to fight this starting with my credit card company and the BBB.  I have also been researching the Utah Attorney General’s website. It explains the laws regarding the Consumer Protection Act and Internet Fraud. There are some things in there that they are not abiding by. I was never verbally told that there was a 3-day cancellation policy. They were deceptive about the extra charges for setting up the business. Who knows what other charges there would have been.