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Thread: Fortune High-Tech Marketing FHTM Shut Down / Pyramid Scheme???

  1. #1
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    Fortune High-Tech Marketing FHTM Shut Down / Pyramid Scheme???

    Thanks to Pyramid Scheme Alert for this:

    News from Pyramid Scheme Alert.org
    Wife of Bank of America's Former CEO Admits to Recruiting for an MLM Prosecuted in Two States, and in which nearly All Consumers Lose Money
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    According to the local NBC affiliate television news channel in Charlotte, North Carolina, "Several prominent Carolinians, including the wife of former Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis, have signed on as sales reps for a multi-level marketer recently fined as a 'pyramid scheme.'"
    The report stated that "Donna Lewis joined Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing, known as FHTM, in December 2008 at the invitation of her friend, Charlotte television personality Barbara McKay.

    "Last month," the TV news show stated, "FHTM agreed to pay almost $1 million in refunds and fines to settle a claim by the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance that the multi-level marketer was a 'pyramid promotional scheme.'

    "It is truly not a pyramid," Donna Lewis said, when reached by phone at her home. "It's helping people in this horrible economy make a living.""

    Mrs. Lewis' involvement in a scheme that was prosecuted and fined as a pyramid scheme and her belief that she is "helping" people reveal the power of MLM dis-information and its insidious spread. Mrs. Lewis has influence nationally and she says she was introduced by a well known television personality in the Charlotte, NC area. Other well known characters from sports, religion, and the business communities were also noted in the report for affiliating with the scheme.

    Despite her stated good intentions, as the investigative reporter, Stuart Watson, later revealed, this MLM scheme, founded by former executives of the now defunct MLM, Excel Communications, is actually "helping" most of its members to part with their money, which it then siphons to a few high level promoters and owners.

    Following the WCNC television exposé, the company produced an "income disclosure" which Watson deciphered in a follow-up report. The data revealed:

    28% of FHTM sales reps earned not even one penny.
    Another 39% earned only $93 a month on average
    And another 41% earned only $256 on average per month.
    That's 96% who earned no more on average than $65 a week - before they pay out costs in fees, purchases, and all business expenses! And two-thirds earned no more, on average, than just $23 weekly. In short, all those people are losing money!

    Bad as they are, in reality, the outcome is worse that those figures show for consumers who pay hundreds of dollars to join and more each month to pursue the scheme's income promise. FHTM calculated as "averages" only the months that the recruits earned anything at all, and excluded from calculations the months they earned nothing! It also excluded all the people - nearly a third of the total - who never earned anything ever, and then it hid the "dropout rates", thereby obscuring the true scale of losses.

    These figures - especially when the distortion and trickery are factored - display the typical 99% loss rates that apply to virtually all MLMs.

    Additionally, this MLM scheme that Bank of America's former first lady is endorsing has an "F" rating from its local BBB and the state of Montana which prosecuted the company as a pyramid scheme, established that most revenue for "commissions" comes from fees paid by the sales people not from consumer purchases.

    If 99% of all consumers who pay into the multi-level marketing scheme are losing, then who does make money in it?

    According to the FHTM "income disclosure", one out of two thousand pulls in $103,416 a month. These are positioned at the top.
    I give FHTM an F as well!!!

    Soapboxmom
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    re: Fortune High-Tech Marketing FHTM Shut Down / Pyramid Scheme???

    I have a dear friend who has joined this, and wanted me to join. Of course I declined, and told him I recommended he get out, but to no avail. He has bought the Kool-Aid, and of course the only money he is making is from recruiting. Since he is a Christian brother, and they are really hyping this in the Christian community, he had arranged a meeting for me with one of the major mucky-mucks from Southern California, but I declined. Needless to say he was not happy with me because I would not meet with him. I know he thought if I met with this big-shot he would talk me into joining. I would sign-up under him, and we both would be on the road to riches. He also claimed that someone in the Graham family was a part of this, I think it was a grandson. Still, no matter what evidence I showed him, he would have nothing of it. It strained our relationship for a while, but now he seems to be over it. We just don't talk about it, so I don't know if he is still as gung-ho as he first was when he joined.

    I think the bloom is coming off the pumpkin on this one, and when it crashes (and it will) it is really going to be ugly. Some people just have to learn the hard way.

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    re: Fortune High-Tech Marketing FHTM Shut Down / Pyramid Scheme???

    Is this still growing, or has it started to go down hill? I really haven't heard that much about it of late, so made me think it might be starting to unravel and crash.

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    re: Fortune High-Tech Marketing FHTM Shut Down / Pyramid Scheme???

    I am going to go with down hill.

    This article details the legal actions and investigations of FHTM. Hilariously, one poor slob making a claimed $1,500 a month average admits there are around 9000 people in his downline. So, what chance do those 9000 under him have of making money? They will need their own gargantuan towering pyramid under them. A losing math trick for sure.

    The FHTM version of the American Dream is detailed here. Perhaps our 3 Stooges from Scam will respond to this shocking dose of MLM reality. This makes it clear why desperate actions like suicide can be the result of the financial devastation caused by MLM.

    Soapboxmom
    Anyone needing assistance please feel free to use this e-mail in addition to the PM system here to contact me: soapboxmom@hotmail.com

    Dallas College Richland Campus Music Advising Derrick Logozzo / Melissa Logan / Not NASM Accredited / Out of State Tuition Nightmare!

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    re: Fortune High-Tech Marketing FHTM Shut Down / Pyramid Scheme???

    According to FHTM:
    FHTM is no longer authorized to use the DuPont name, logo, or trademark in any way. FHTM should immediately discontinue the use of any materials containing the DuPont logo. Our right to use DuPont’s name, logo and trademark was revoked because FHTM abused the system by creating and distributing unapproved marketing materials that displayed the DuPont logo.

    According to the real world:
    How can this be true when the DuPont logo has been part of the FHTM corporate created business presentation DVD for years? The only reason they blame the reps for this is to shield themselves from a major trademark infringement lawsuit. FHTM never had a partnership or any relationship with DuPont, yet they took it upon themselves to represent they did in an effort to make themselves legal. Surprise…surprise.

    P.S. AT&T dumped FHTM on 3/1/11 too

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    Thumbs up re: Fortune High-Tech Marketing FHTM Shut Down / Pyramid Scheme???

    Quote Originally Posted by EagleOne View Post
    I have a dear friend who has joined this, and wanted me to join. Of course I declined, and told him I recommended he get out, but to no avail. He has bought the Kool-Aid, and of course the only money he is making is from recruiting. Since he is a Christian brother, and they are really hyping this in the Christian community, he had arranged a meeting for me with one of the major mucky-mucks from Southern California, but I declined. Needless to say he was not happy with me because I would not meet with him. I know he thought if I met with this big-shot he would talk me into joining. I would sign-up under him, and we both would be on the road to riches. He also claimed that someone in the Graham family was a part of this, I think it was a grandson. Still, no matter what evidence I showed him, he would have nothing of it. It strained our relationship for a while, but now he seems to be over it. We just don't talk about it, so I don't know if he is still as gung-ho as he first was when he joined.

    I think the bloom is coming off the pumpkin on this one, and when it crashes (and it will) it is really going to be ugly. Some people just have to learn the hard way.
    Love the comment

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    re: Fortune High-Tech Marketing FHTM Shut Down / Pyramid Scheme???

    All the latest news on FHTM can be found at Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing (FHTM) Multiple RICO/Fraud/Pyramid Scheme Class-Action Lawsuits for 2010

    Quote Originally Posted by Soapboxmom View Post
    Thanks to Pyramid Scheme Alert for this:

    News from Pyramid Scheme Alert.org

    I give FHTM an F as well!!!

    Soapboxmom

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    re: Fortune High-Tech Marketing FHTM Shut Down / Pyramid Scheme???

    I am constantly amazed by the audacity of the ridiculous claims in the MLM world, why do so many people fall prey...it astounds me!

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    re: Fortune High-Tech Marketing FHTM Shut Down / Pyramid Scheme???

    fhtmclassaction,

    Your site is first class. I love that many states have taken that scam to task!

    Soapboxmom
    Anyone needing assistance please feel free to use this e-mail in addition to the PM system here to contact me: soapboxmom@hotmail.com

    Dallas College Richland Campus Music Advising Derrick Logozzo / Melissa Logan / Not NASM Accredited / Out of State Tuition Nightmare!

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    re: Fortune High-Tech Marketing FHTM Shut Down / Pyramid Scheme???

    FTC Steps Up Efforts Against Scams That Target Financially-Strapped Consumers
    More Than 90 Actions Brought By Commission and Its Law Enforcement Partners

    Attorney General Roy Cooper today joined state attorneys general from across the country and the Federal Trade Commission to announce a national sweep targeting business opportunity scams, including actions against four companies that have targeted North Carolina consumers.

    “When jobs are scarce, claims to help people make money fast become plentiful,” Cooper said. “Consumers think they’re buying into a great way to earn a living, but they could end up paying far more than they’ll ever make.”

    In challenging economic times, many people in the state are looking for work. Unfortunately, sometimes they find scams instead of legitimate opportunities.

    Complaints to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division about business opportunity, work-at-home schemes, and other employment related scams were up 11 percent last year, from 177 complaints in 2009 to 197 complaints in 2010.

    Operation Empty Promises is a national sweep by the FTC, Cooper and other state attorneys general aimed at stopping business opportunity scams and educating consumers about how to avoid them. Announced as part of the sweep are actions taken by Cooper’s Consumer Protection Division against four companies including:

    Fortune Hi Tech Marketing claims that people who buy into its business earn thousands of dollars a year. Based on consumer complaints, Cooper’s office launched an investigation into FHTM in mid 2010. Consumers say they paid money to the company but were only able to make money by recruiting others into the scheme, not by selling any actual goods or services. A total of 25 consumers have now complained about FHTM, and Cooper’s office is investigating the company. Although this case is currently under investigation, it’s important for consumers to know that a pyramid scheme is a violation of the law and is defined as any plan in which a participant pays money for the chance to receive money upon the introduction of new participants into the program.

    “We’re looking closely at business opportunities that seem to offer false hopes, and also reaching out to educate consumers on how to recognize and avoid fraud,” Cooper said.

    Later this month, Cooper’s office plans to launch a tool kit to educate consumers on fake business opportunities which will include print, web and video materials. The goal is to prevent North Carolina consumers from losing their hard-earned money to scammers trying to take advantage of a tough employment market.

    “Don’t let scammers use empty promises of jobs with high earnings to take your money,” Cooper warned consumers. “Before you agree to invest in any business, check it out thoroughly and always be skeptical of claims of guaranteed profits.”
    Cooper has taken action against a number of other kinds of scams fueled by hard times. For example, his Consumer Protection Division has won 13 cases against foreclosure assistance and loan modification scams in the past five years, including two so far in 2011.The Federal Trade Commission today stepped up its ongoing campaign against scammers who falsely promise guaranteed jobs and opportunities to “be your own boss” to consumers who are struggling with unemployment and diminished incomes as a consequence of the economic downturn.

    “Operation Empty Promises,” a multi-agency law enforcement initiative today announced more than 90 enforcement actions, including three new FTC cases and developments in seven other matters, 48 criminal actions by the Department of Justice (many of which involved the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service), seven additional civil actions by the Postal Inspection Service, and 28 actions by state law enforcement agencies in Alaska, California, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Montana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

    In a press conference at the FTC, David Vladeck, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, was joined by Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division of the Department of Justice; Greg Campbell, Deputy Chief Inspector of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper; and a California consumer who had bought into a program to start his own Internet business.

    “The victims of these frauds are our neighbors – people who are trying to make an honest living,” said David C. Vladeck, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Under pressure to make ends meet, they risked their limited financial resources in response to the promise of a job, an income – a chance at a profitable home-based business. But these turned out to be empty promises – and the people who counted on them ended up with high levels of frustration and even higher levels of debt.”

    The FTC has updated consumer education materials to help consumers avoid falling victim to these scams. Screen shots from the websites of some of the operators charged in this law enforcement sweep, as well as video footage of FTC Consumer Protection Director Vladeck and FTC attorney Daniel Hanks, are also available at the FTC website.

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    re: Fortune High-Tech Marketing FHTM Shut Down / Pyramid Scheme???

    Just so you guys know: "fhtmclassaction" is in all likelihood Joe Isaacs, the guy who was running a piggyback scam called "Fortune Social" until he got enjoined. He has posted to Quatloos under multiple logins (including "fhtmclassaction"). You can read the whole sordid story here. Making a long story short, Isaacs was first an FHTM distributor; then he ran a "tools" scam to supposedly help FHTM distributors build their pyramids; then, when FHTM sued him for trademark infringement and won, he started soliciting for disgruntled FHTMers to contact him and "we will reply with the tools so you can help yourself out of this bind". The "bind" was obviously that they had too much money remaining in their wallets even after FHTM got done fleecing them. Come to Joe.

    Classic piggyback scam.
    "A wise man proportions belief to the evidence."
    - David Hume

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  13. #12
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    re: Fortune High-Tech Marketing FHTM Shut Down / Pyramid Scheme???

    Quote Originally Posted by wserra View Post
    Come to Joe.

    Classic piggyback scam.
    Whaaaa ????

    A scam involving MLM ????

    OH NO !!

    I don't believe it,

    but, but, but.................................
    The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing

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    FTC calls Fortune High-Tech Marketing a ripoff and adds company to its "hit list"

    FHTM relieves Judy Hammerschmidt of her General Counsel duties!

    What a shocker. As of February 2011 Ms. Hammerschmidt is no longer listed as the FHTM General Counsel, or an attorney associated with FHTM, on their website www.fhtm.net .

    According to the Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing website, Ms. Hammerschmidt has been replaced by attorney the new General Counsel Mr. Keith Kuder.

    “In February of 2011, FHTM welcomed its new General Counsel, Keith U. Kuder. Keith brings a wealth of knowledge and experience obtained during an 18-year career as a judicial clerk, law firm litigator and in-house attorney. In 1990, Keith graduated from the University of Virginia, Phi Beta Kappa. He completed the University of Virginia School of Law, Order of the Coif, in 1993. Today, Keith heads up FHTM's continuing efforts to remain a world-class organization”, quotes Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing.
    Why did this happen? Maybe it is because all of the lawsuits and AG investigations under her loyal watch became overwhelming. Who really knows the truth?

    FTC Steps Up Efforts Against Scams That Target Financially-Strapped Consumers
    More Than 90 Actions Brought By Commission and Its Law Enforcement Partners


    Attorney General Roy Cooper today joined state attorneys general from across the country and the Federal Trade Commission to announce a national sweep targeting business opportunity scams, including actions against four companies that have targeted North Carolina consumers.

    “When jobs are scarce, claims to help people make money fast become plentiful,” Cooper said. “Consumers think they’re buying into a great way to earn a living, but they could end up paying far more than they’ll ever make.”

    In challenging economic times, many people in the state are looking for work. Unfortunately, sometimes they find scams instead of legitimate opportunities. Complaints to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division about business opportunity, work-at-home schemes, and other employment related scams were up 11 percent last year, from 177 complaints in 2009 to 197 complaints in 2010.

    Operation Empty Promises is a national sweep by the FTC, Cooper and other state attorneys general aimed at stopping business opportunity scams and educating consumers about how to avoid them. Announced as part of the sweep are actions taken by Cooper’s Consumer Protection Division against four companies including
    Fortune Hi Tech Marketing claims that people who buy into its business earn thousands of dollars a year. Based on consumer complaints, Cooper’s office launched an investigation into FHTM in mid 2010. Consumers say they paid money to the company but were only able to make money by recruiting others into the scheme, not by selling any actual goods or services. A total of 25 consumers have now complained about FHTM, and Cooper’s office is investigating the company. Although this case is currently under investigation, it’s important for consumers to know that a pyramid scheme is a violation of the law and is defined as any plan in which a participant pays money for the chance to receive money upon the introduction of new participants into the program.

    “We’re looking closely at business opportunities that seem to offer false hopes, and also reaching out to educate consumers on how to recognize and avoid fraud,” Cooper said.

    Later this month, Cooper’s office plans to launch a tool kit to educate consumers on fake business opportunities which will include print, web and video materials. The goal is to prevent North Carolina consumers from losing their hard-earned money to scammers trying to take advantage of a tough employment market.

    “Don’t let scammers use empty promises of jobs with high earnings to take your money,” Cooper warned consumers. “Before you agree to invest in any business, check it out thoroughly and always be skeptical of claims of guaranteed profits.”
    Cooper has taken action against a number of other kinds of scams fueled by hard times. For example, his Consumer Protection Division has won 13 cases against foreclosure assistance and loan modification scams in the past five years, including two so far in 2011.The Federal Trade Commission today stepped up its ongoing campaign against scammers who falsely promise guaranteed jobs and opportunities to “be your own boss” to consumers who are struggling with unemployment and diminished incomes as a consequence of the economic downturn.

    “Operation Empty Promises,” a multi-agency law enforcement initiative today announced more than 90 enforcement actions, including three new FTC cases and developments in seven other matters, 48 criminal actions by the Department of Justice (many of which involved the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service), seven additional civil actions by the Postal Inspection Service, and 28 actions by state law enforcement agencies in Alaska, California, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Montana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

    In a press conference at the FTC, David Vladeck, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, was joined by Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division of the Department of Justice; Greg Campbell, Deputy Chief Inspector of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper; and a California consumer who had bought into a program to start his own Internet business.

    “The victims of these frauds are our neighbors – people who are trying to make an honest living,” said David C. Vladeck, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Under pressure to make ends meet, they risked their limited financial resources in response to the promise of a job, an income – a chance at a profitable home-based business. But these turned out to be empty promises – and the people who counted on them ended up with high levels of frustration and even higher levels of debt.”

    The FTC has updated consumer education materials to help consumers avoid falling victim to these scams. Screen shots from the websites of some of the operators charged in this law enforcement sweep, as well as video footage of FTC Consumer Protection Director Vladeck and FTC attorney Daniel Hanks, are also available at the FTC website.

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    re: Fortune High-Tech Marketing FHTM Shut Down / Pyramid Scheme???

    Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing lies about its 3A1 D&B rating to entice people to join its pyramid scheme. See full current report at Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing (FHTM) DandB lies/fraud/scam revealed, FTC "Operation Empty Promises"

    FTC Steps Up Efforts Against Scams That Target Financially-Strapped Consumers
    More Than 90 Actions Brought By Commission and Its Law Enforcement Partners

    Attorney General Roy Cooper today joined state attorneys general from across the country and the Federal Trade Commission to announce a national sweep targeting business opportunity scams, including actions against four companies that have targeted North Carolina consumers.

    “When jobs are scarce, claims to help people make money fast become plentiful,” Cooper said. “Consumers think they’re buying into a great way to earn a living, but they could end up paying far more than they’ll ever make.”

    In challenging economic times, many people in the state are looking for work. Unfortunately, sometimes they find scams instead of legitimate opportunities. Complaints to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division about business opportunity, work-at-home schemes, and other employment related scams were up 11 percent last year, from 177 complaints in 2009 to 197 complaints in 2010.
    Operation Empty Promises is a national sweep by the FTC, Cooper and other state attorneys general aimed at stopping business opportunity scams and educating consumers about how to avoid them. Announced as part of the sweep are actions taken by Cooper’s Consumer Protection Division against four companies including Fortune Hi Tech Marketing who claims that people who buy into its business earn thousands of dollars a year. Based on consumer complaints, Cooper’s office launched an investigation into FHTM in mid 2010. Consumers say they paid money to the company but were only able to make money by recruiting others into the scheme, not by selling any actual goods or services. A total of 25 consumers have now complained about FHTM, and Cooper’s office is investigating the company. Although this case is currently under investigation, it’s important for consumers to know that a pyramid scheme is a violation of the law and is defined as any plan in which a participant pays money for the chance to receive money upon the introduction of new participants into the program.

    “We’re looking closely at business opportunities that seem to offer false hopes, and also reaching out to educate consumers on how to recognize and avoid fraud,” Cooper said.

    Later this month, Cooper’s office plans to launch a tool kit to educate consumers on fake business opportunities which will include print, web and video materials. The goal is to prevent North Carolina consumers from losing their hard-earned money to scammers trying to take advantage of a tough employment market.

    “Don’t let scammers use empty promises of jobs with high earnings to take your money,” Cooper warned consumers. “Before you agree to invest in any business, check it out thoroughly and always be skeptical of claims of guaranteed profits.”
    Cooper has taken action against a number of other kinds of scams fueled by hard times. For example, his Consumer Protection Division has won 13 cases against foreclosure assistance and loan modification scams in the past five years, including two so far in 2011.The Federal Trade Commission today stepped up its ongoing campaign against scammers who falsely promise guaranteed jobs and opportunities to “be your own boss” to consumers who are struggling with unemployment and diminished incomes as a consequence of the economic downturn.

    “Operation Empty Promises,” a multi-agency law enforcement initiative today announced more than 90 enforcement actions, including three new FTC cases and developments in seven other matters, 48 criminal actions by the Department of Justice (many of which involved the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service), seven additional civil actions by the Postal Inspection Service, and 28 actions by state law enforcement agencies in Alaska, California, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Montana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

    In a press conference at the FTC, David Vladeck, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, was joined by Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division of the Department of Justice; Greg Campbell, Deputy Chief Inspector of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper; and a California consumer who had bought into a program to start his own Internet business.

    “The victims of these frauds are our neighbors – people who are trying to make an honest living,” said David C. Vladeck, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Under pressure to make ends meet, they risked their limited financial resources in response to the promise of a job, an income – a chance at a profitable home-based business. But these turned out to be empty promises – and the people who counted on them ended up with high levels of frustration and even higher levels of debt.”

    The FTC has updated consumer education materials to help consumers avoid falling victim to these scams. Screen shots from the websites of some of the operators charged in this law enforcement sweep, as well as video footage of FTC Consumer Protection Director Vladeck and FTC attorney Daniel Hanks, are also available at the FTC website.

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    re: Fortune High-Tech Marketing FHTM Shut Down / Pyramid Scheme???

    Tracy Coenen has a wonderful blog post about Fortune High Tech Marketing up and I encourage everyone to read it!

    Soapboxmom
    Anyone needing assistance please feel free to use this e-mail in addition to the PM system here to contact me: soapboxmom@hotmail.com

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    re: Fortune High-Tech Marketing FHTM Shut Down / Pyramid Scheme???

    More great info from Tracy Coenen here. It is not surprising that many enforcement agencies have been eying this one!

    Soapboxmom
    Anyone needing assistance please feel free to use this e-mail in addition to the PM system here to contact me: soapboxmom@hotmail.com

    Dallas College Richland Campus Music Advising Derrick Logozzo / Melissa Logan / Not NASM Accredited / Out of State Tuition Nightmare!

    Love some Bunny! I do!

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    re: Fortune High-Tech Marketing FHTM Shut Down / Pyramid Scheme???

    Wserra - Go back to your lost land at Quatloos.......you have no idea what you are speaking about. Fortune hasn't beat Isaacs at anything, including the current lawsuit.
    He marketed a FREE social network for Network marketing companies similar to Facebook. NO CHARGE SOCIAL NETWORK. NO TOOLS SCAM There.

    Clueless morons run rampant in this world. Everyone thinks they know all of the answers and those are usually wrong.

    This forum is about the FHTM scam and not Joe Isaacs.

    Quote Originally Posted by wserra View Post
    Just so you guys know: "fhtmclassaction" is in all likelihood Joe Isaacs, the guy who was running a piggyback scam called "Fortune Social" until he got enjoined. He has posted to Quatloos under multiple logins (including "fhtmclassaction"). You can read the whole sordid story here. Making a long story short, Isaacs was first an FHTM distributor; then he ran a "tools" scam to supposedly help FHTM distributors build their pyramids; then, when FHTM sued him for trademark infringement and won, he started soliciting for disgruntled FHTMers to contact him and "we will reply with the tools so you can help yourself out of this bind". The "bind" was obviously that they had too much money remaining in their wallets even after FHTM got done fleecing them. Come to Joe.

    Classic piggyback scam.

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    re: Fortune High-Tech Marketing FHTM Shut Down / Pyramid Scheme???

    Quote Originally Posted by fhtmclassaction View Post
    Wserra - Go back to your lost land at Quatloos.......you have no idea what you are speaking about. Fortune hasn't beat Isaacs at anything, including the current lawsuit.
    He marketed a FREE social network for Network marketing companies similar to Facebook. NO CHARGE SOCIAL NETWORK. NO TOOLS SCAM There.

    Clueless morons run rampant in this world. Everyone thinks they know all of the answers and those are usually wrong.

    This forum is about the FHTM scam and not Joe Isaacs.
    Wserra analyzed the legal docs. I don't believe for a second there is any misinterpretation there. Mr. Isaacs lost the trademark infringement suit filed against him. Why don't we talk about that. Post the judgment and any orders and fill us in.

    Soapboxmom
    Anyone needing assistance please feel free to use this e-mail in addition to the PM system here to contact me: soapboxmom@hotmail.com

    Dallas College Richland Campus Music Advising Derrick Logozzo / Melissa Logan / Not NASM Accredited / Out of State Tuition Nightmare!

    Love some Bunny! I do!

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    re: Fortune High-Tech Marketing FHTM Shut Down / Pyramid Scheme???

    as with any opportunity if its to good to be true then it must be. my understanding is this organization was a mass reseller of middle of the road everyday items. obviously their infrastructure was not ready for the success which fell upon them rapidly. I came to know of this group when updating myself on a real schiester who had stolen our firms identity for his use several years ago. (website) so he could sell his expertise by using our identity and materials. Joseph Issacs of the Tampa Bay area. It appeared he aligned himself with this group and then lifted their website the same way so what was their rightful business he was loading as his own. When they sued him he screamed scam and opened up pandora's box to confuse the real issue which was his crime of business theft from the beginning. Issacs has been involved in the Russian Bride import business, married one and beat her, both banks he claims to have started released him and paid him to go away. So if you come across Issacs run the other way.

  21. #20
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    re: Fortune High-Tech Marketing FHTM Shut Down / Pyramid Scheme???

    Quote Originally Posted by wserra View Post
    Just so you guys know: "fhtmclassaction" is in all likelihood Joe Isaacs, the guy who was running a piggyback scam called "Fortune Social" until he got enjoined. He has posted to Quatloos under multiple logins (including "fhtmclassaction"). You can read the whole sordid story here. Making a long story short, Isaacs was first an FHTM distributor; then he ran a "tools" scam to supposedly help FHTM distributors build their pyramids; then, when FHTM sued him for trademark infringement and won, he started soliciting for disgruntled FHTMers to contact him and "we will reply with the tools so you can help yourself out of this bind". The "bind" was obviously that they had too much money remaining in their wallets even after FHTM got done fleecing them. Come to Joe.

    Classic piggyback scam.
    yes FHTMCLASSACTION is Isaacs along with Barbara Bushe which he uses to reply blindly on various blogs. I have heard he is looking into signing up member of the FLDS clan as a down line for his next venture.

  22. #21
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    re: Fortune High-Tech Marketing FHTM Shut Down / Pyramid Scheme???

    Quote Originally Posted by bankalchemist View Post
    yes FHTMCLASSACTION is Isaacs along with Barbara Bushe which he uses to reply blindly on various blogs. I have heard he is looking into signing up member of the FLDS clan as a down line for his next venture.
    I have no idea where you got your facts from. Fortune Hi-Tech DID NOT win any lawsuit against Isaacs. The trademark infringement was dropped after the court realized that the name "Fortune" is in fact owned by Time Inc.

    After a year of busting Isaacs balls - FHTM walked away and paid him off to go away because they HAD NO case.

    Posting are awesome - but the truth always prevails. Bank Achemist is nothing but a midget fudge packer and terrorist scam artist.

  23. #22
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    re: Fortune High-Tech Marketing FHTM Shut Down / Pyramid Scheme???

    Another dumb **** who doesnt know the truth. Isaacs DID NOT lose any lawsuit for trademark infringement with FHTM. I heard that FHTM paid Isaacs to go away after the judge realized their case was ridiculous and without merit.

    Quote Originally Posted by Soapboxmom View Post
    Wserra analyzed the legal docs. I don't believe for a second there is any misinterpretation there. Mr. Isaacs lost the trademark infringement suit filed against him. Why don't we talk about that. Post the judgment and any orders and fill us in.

    Soapboxmom

  24. #23
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    re: Fortune High-Tech Marketing FHTM Shut Down / Pyramid Scheme???

    Gee, "Da"

    How interesting.

    Perhaps you could help us out here by telling us exactly where you "heard" about FHTM paying off Mr Isaacs.

    If it's not too much trouble, a copy of the court documents or at least a link to them would do, at a pinch.

    Otherwise, we might make a terrible mistake and think your post was just ANOTHER MLM related half truth posted on the 'net.
    The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing

  25. #24
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    re: Fortune High-Tech Marketing FHTM Shut Down / Pyramid Scheme???

    I was in FHTM for a little over a year. I would urge anyone looking at this opportunity to stay away. I made it to regional and everything was going well at first. Then after six months or so it became impossible to find new people to join. I signed up one of my long time "friends" and he started out well and then also leveled off. About three months ago this "friend" invited me to his home to meet some people he had met at an FHTM meeting. There were a couple of celebrities there as well as some heavy hitters that anyone associated with FHTM would recognize. There was a presentation, and then about half of the dozen or so people who attended joined on the spot. My "Friend" who I thought was on my team had actually signed up a member of his family under another team who had a more aggressive upline! Talk about a stab in the back! But what is worse, is that he told me that I could join under his daughter, and be a "big hitter" as well. All I had to do is change the last digit of my Social security number. I was even more shocked at this request. He told me that this is how many have made their teams so large so fast and that there are several people who are in two or more teams at once.
    I filed a complaint with FHTM compliance and they did an investigation and told me that they had taken care of the problem and those involved are no longer involved with FHTM. (This is the short version of my story) But less than a week later the same "friend" asked me again if I would like to join his new team. How can this be? I said I would not be a part of any changing of Social Security numbers and left it at that. But then a member of my downline informed me that this "Friend" tried to get her to sign up with the same idea. I told her that this was not legal and that she should not do it. After that I along with another member of my downline recorded several meetings and got everything on tape. We even got one person to change their SSN to join even though they too were a member of my downline. So now this person was in my downline as well as his. Thinking that I had enough to blow the lid off of this guy I presented it to FHTM again. Once again they said it was taken care of. Well, This "friend" still promoted FHTM after the fact. I decided to then report this to the NC Department of Justice. A month later, I get a letter from the state saying that they are satisfied with FHTM's actions in this matter and those involved have been terminated from their positions. So that is the end of the story right? Not really. To my disbelief, my so called friend has several pictures on Facebook from last weekend that he spent at Todd Rowland's house and he is still promoting FHTM. Now that's what I call justice. Once again this is just a short version of a very long story.

  26. #25
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    re: Fortune High-Tech Marketing FHTM Shut Down / Pyramid Scheme???

    Welcome to RealScam.com, NCQueen,

    Yours is an all too common story in the murky world of Multi Level Marketing.

    For all the protestations by MLM supporters and spin doctoring by their representative bodies, there are just too many similar reports floating around for them to be aberrations.

    Perhaps MLMers enjoy the notoriety participating in their chosen field brings them.

    It certainly seems from the outside that the publishers of the "MLM 101" handbook completely forgot to include chapters on ethics, morals and honesty in the latest addition.
    The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing

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