I just received a "special invitation" in the mail today that was signed by Ellen Munson, who indicates she is the president of something called the "Women's Financial Conference. The mailing was pretty nice and seemed like it was addressed by hand. It mentions that someone named "Jean Chatzky, columnist Money Magazine and Financial Author" will be there live and in person.
Ellen Munson specifically says in her message describing the conference to "Please give me a call soon. Call (800) 957-3865 to reserve your seat." However, when I called and asked for Ellen, they didn't know who she was. I gave her full name, and that didn't seem to ring a bell either. After the operator talked to someone else, she can back and said she was not available. When asked when she would be available, I was told that she wouldn't be. When I asked for a number, I was told that the operators are not allowed to transfer calls to her. When I asked if she was a real person, I was assured that she was.
So either the operator was lying, or Ms. Munson doesn't seem to care to be bothered by calls from potential clients or conference attendees. I suspect the former is true. So you have to ask yourself if a company feels they have to manufacture someone to represent themselves, how ethical could they be? Is this just a front for some kind of scam?
Anyway, I found very few other listings for this event, so I would be very careful of scams if you decide to attend this "conference". Do a search for the 800 number and you'll find a little more information.
The return postal address for the mailing I got is:
808 E. U. Valley Drive
American Fork, UT 84003
Hold on, now we are getting somewhere!!! I just found this address that matches:
SENTO CORP
808 East Utah Valley Drive
American Fork, UT 84003
801 492-2000
801 224-2426 fax
http://www.sento.com/
Patrick F. O'Neal, President, CEO and Director
Stanley J. Cutler, Senior Vice President of Finance and Corporate Secretary
Eric Olafson, Director
Kim A. Cooper, Director
Gary B. Filler, Chairman of the Board
Kieth E. Sorenson, Director
Chris Wells, Senior Vice President of Sales
C. Lloyd Mahaffey, Director
Phillip J. Windley, Director
http://www.business.com/directory/computers_and_software/education_and_training/sento/profile/
Ah-HA! Paydirt! It seems the company is known to the BBB:
The following is a news release issued by the Northeastern Indiana Better Business Bureau:
July 28, 2005 -Fort Wayne, IN - The Northeastern Indiana BBB has received several calls from consumers questioning an impressive VIP Invitation they are receiving from Ellen Munson, President of the American Women's Conference, sending two complimentary VIP tickets worth $69 - seat confirmation #24 and #25. The conference is to take place at the Grand Wayne Convention Center on Friday, August 26th.
According to BBB records, this company has an unsatisfactory record. It is listed under National Training Conference, LLC. This unsatisfactory record is based on past BBB experience with Money in Training which has the same principal officers as National Training Conference. Money in Training has an unsatisfactory record for theft of a federally protected trademark, failure to honor a cease and desist agreement, false and misleading advertising
Please go to www.bbb.org to receive complete reports on National Training conference, LLC and Money in Training, LLC, both based in Provo, UT. Or call the BBB at 1.800.552.4631 or 423.4433 and a report will be read to you.
Consumers who plan to attend free seminars should be aware that in most cases the presenters will promote products and services that are for sale. Products sold at these seminars include self improvement, investment education materials, and home based businesses. The BBB is cautioning those attending to read and understand any cancellation policies or guarantees before agreeing to purchase or signing any agreements.
I found it here:
http://www.wane.com/Global/story.asp?S=3652790
CONSUMER ALERT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Julie Wheeler, President & CEO
September 6, 2005
540-342-3455 or 800-533-5501
Fax: 540-345-2289
E-mail: info@roanoke.bbb.org
Womens Conference Not What It Seems
Many consumers have received an invitation to The Womens Conference in Roanoke on September 22. Before you count that money, the Better Business Bureau Serving Western Virginia wants you to know that the claims this conference makes may be misleading.
The conference is being offered through the National Training Conference in Provo, Utah. The BBB Serving Utah has received complaints against the company stating that the company is providing false and misleading information, and that it does not honor its money-back guarantee on kits sold to conference attendees. The company has been responsive to complaints sent by the bureau.
Consumers who receive information on this conference need to be aware that high-pressure sales tactics are often used at this type of seminar, said Julie Wheeler, president of the BBB Serving Western Virginia. If the information seems too good to be true, it often is.
The tickets enclosed with the invitation are also deceptive. Mailed invitations from The Womens Conference President Ellen Munson begin, "Because you were referred to me, I wanted to personally invite you as my VIP guest to attend the nation's No. 1 womens conference." It goes on to say, "The normal tuition fee of $149 is waived for you." Two "complimentary" tickets, presumably worth $298 together, are enclosed. Other information about the conference states that attendance is free.
Consumers who decide to attend the conference should be careful about purchasing investment
materials. Before making any investment, the Better Business Bureau and state securities
regulators urge investors to ask the following questions:
Has the seller provided written information that fully explains the investment? Make sure you get
a prospectus or offering circular, before you buy. The documentation should contain enough clear
and accurate information to allow you or your financial adviser to evaluate and verify the
particulars of the investment.
Are claims made for the investment realistic? Some things really are too good to be true. Use
common sense and get a professional, third-party opinion when presented with investment
opportunities that offer unusually high returns in comparison to other investment options.
Does the investment meet your personal investment goals? Whether you are investing for long-
term growth, investment income or other reasons, an investment should match your own
investment goals.
Call the Better Business Bureau to check the reliability of a company before you decide to do
business with them. The bureau can be reached at 342-3455 or 800-533-5501 and on the
web at www.vabbb.org.
I found this one here: www.vabbb.org/alerts/090605.pdf
If you need any more information about this scam, please take a look here:
http://www.google.com/search?q=%22National+Training+Conference%2C+LLC%22