Like most of you out there, you've probably received hundreds, if not thousands, of scam emails. These days, though, I don't get as many as I used to. Now I just get ad after ad promoting some kind of male enhancement. Right now, for example, checking my spam box, I see an email titled "The Great Sex Secrets of Giving Women Multiple Orgasms - Make Her Scream With Pleasure". This is typical of the spam I get today. I'm not sure why. I'm only 38, and haven't reached that stage yet where I need help in this area.
Before all the sex spam, I used to receive a lot of email from people (usually in Africa) who would tell me that someone with my last name has died recently, and I can inherit a lot of money if I'm willing to give out a bunch of personal information (and probably bank account numbers as well.) These are often referred to as the Nigerian scams. I've also been told I've won the Yahoo! Lottery countless times.
I feel sorry for anyone who has fallen for these scams. They're so obviously a scam that it's funny.
The other day, however, I received something in the mail. It was an actual letter from the Cambridge Who's Who listing, which read:
"Dear Ken,
You were recently appointed as a biographical candidate to represent Austin, TX in the 2009/2010 on line Cambridge Who's Who Registry Among Executive and Professionals.
We are pleased to inform you that on March 29, 2009 your candidacy was approved. Your prompt response is needed to ensure your correct professional information. For accuracy purposes, please be sure to visit your personal website to verify your biographical information. http://www.kenberglund.mycwwapp.com/
If you do not have Internet access, please fill out the form and return the enclosed reply card by June 27, 2009. We've provided the postage for your convenience.
The office of the Managing Director appoints individuals based upon a candidates current position and usually with information obtained from researched executive and professional listings. The Director thinks that you may make an interesting biographical subject, as individual achievement is what Cambridge Who's Who is all about.
Upon final confirmation, you will be listed among thousands of accomplished individuals in the Cambridge Who's Who Registry. Remember, there is no cost to be included. On behalf of the Managing Director, we look forward to your appearance in this year's edition.
Best wishes for continued success."
I have to admit, I was fooled for a few minutes. But only for a few minutes. It was a brief ego boost. I thought to myself "Wow. They want me to represent Austin. Be one of Austin's elite." But then, after thinking about it, it didn't make sense. I've only lived in Austin for about a year, and I've been working here for even less. I have few friends here, and my job is nothing to brag about. Why the hell would they want to include me in their registry? I'm nobody.
So I began to google "Cambridge Who's Who" and found link after link that declared them a scam. Once you send in your card, or fill out the online information, someone will contact you and try to sell you a membership to their website. Membership ranges anywhere from $100 to $1000. The letter claims there is no cost, but apparently that's not true. And what is the value of being listed on this website? Supposedly, it promotes social networking. Uh huh, okay, whatever.
My advice to anyone else who might see this letter: toss it.
Before all the sex spam, I used to receive a lot of email from people (usually in Africa) who would tell me that someone with my last name has died recently, and I can inherit a lot of money if I'm willing to give out a bunch of personal information (and probably bank account numbers as well.) These are often referred to as the Nigerian scams. I've also been told I've won the Yahoo! Lottery countless times.
I feel sorry for anyone who has fallen for these scams. They're so obviously a scam that it's funny.
The other day, however, I received something in the mail. It was an actual letter from the Cambridge Who's Who listing, which read:
"Dear Ken,
You were recently appointed as a biographical candidate to represent Austin, TX in the 2009/2010 on line Cambridge Who's Who Registry Among Executive and Professionals.
We are pleased to inform you that on March 29, 2009 your candidacy was approved. Your prompt response is needed to ensure your correct professional information. For accuracy purposes, please be sure to visit your personal website to verify your biographical information. http://www.kenberglund.mycwwapp.com/
If you do not have Internet access, please fill out the form and return the enclosed reply card by June 27, 2009. We've provided the postage for your convenience.
The office of the Managing Director appoints individuals based upon a candidates current position and usually with information obtained from researched executive and professional listings. The Director thinks that you may make an interesting biographical subject, as individual achievement is what Cambridge Who's Who is all about.
Upon final confirmation, you will be listed among thousands of accomplished individuals in the Cambridge Who's Who Registry. Remember, there is no cost to be included. On behalf of the Managing Director, we look forward to your appearance in this year's edition.
Best wishes for continued success."
I have to admit, I was fooled for a few minutes. But only for a few minutes. It was a brief ego boost. I thought to myself "Wow. They want me to represent Austin. Be one of Austin's elite." But then, after thinking about it, it didn't make sense. I've only lived in Austin for about a year, and I've been working here for even less. I have few friends here, and my job is nothing to brag about. Why the hell would they want to include me in their registry? I'm nobody.
So I began to google "Cambridge Who's Who" and found link after link that declared them a scam. Once you send in your card, or fill out the online information, someone will contact you and try to sell you a membership to their website. Membership ranges anywhere from $100 to $1000. The letter claims there is no cost, but apparently that's not true. And what is the value of being listed on this website? Supposedly, it promotes social networking. Uh huh, okay, whatever.
My advice to anyone else who might see this letter: toss it.
Most of my junk mail is in Chinese. "Make double size of manhood. Add 1 inch."
ReplyDeleteI thought my letter from Cambridge Who's Who was very flattering. I signed up and am enjoying the benefits of being a member.
ReplyDeleteBullshit! You either work for them or you are a fool!
DeleteYou know they send that letter to pretty much everyone, don't you? The fact that they considered me one of the elite of Austin, when I had only been living her for less than a year should tell you something.
ReplyDeleteAnd what are the benefits of being a member? Networking? You can network on numerous other sites for free.
Cambridge Who's Who is a scam. I received the same letter and was hit with a sales pitch for $199 for a membership. When I asked about the free listing that was mentioned in the letter, the rep downplayed it while trying to get me to commit to an additional $569 membership. A real Who's Who doesn't require payment to be a member.
ReplyDeleteI just received the same letter myself the other day. I also have only lived in my city for a year, and do NOT have any grandiose positions where I work. I am a VP of a local women’s organization, but that is a volunteer thing. I do not want to fork out cash for something that I am not familiar with. My ego was slightly lifted upon reading this wonderful letter, but my gut kept telling me “look into this before you sign up!” I did a Google and also found the “scam” postings. (I read a couple on RipOffReport.com http://taiwantotexas.blogspot.com/2009/05/cambridge-whos-who-scam.html)
ReplyDeleteThanks for a funny post! My thoughts exactly!
Thanks to these people who tell us about scams. I just received this same letter only being in Utah for a year and my jobs isn't so outstanding. I decided to google this and this is what I found. thanks to all of you or I could of been a victim of a scam as well. thanks Susan
ReplyDeleteRetired National Sales Manager;
ReplyDeleteWell,...today I got my identical letter as all of you, but I immediatelyl aughed when I read it,since I have not been working for almost 2 years, just moved back to the town I grew up in same time.........Wow, what will the scammers think of next? I did look for my personal website they directed me to fill out my informaiton, google could not find it.....maybe Cambridge has left the internet??
This is a known scam but the way to get them back is to send back the prepaid card with bogus information. At the most, it will irritate them and at the very least, they lose the cost of postage
ReplyDeleteI received my letter not too long ago; and like everyone else had an instant ego boost. I'll admit that at the time when I completed the online registry, I thought this might be legit.. Boy was I wrong.. So when I got a call from a "Representative" from Cambridge Who's Who Organization to conduct an interview on me; I was thinking "Okay" this MIGHT be real... That is until the lady said that it was going to be a $700.00 membership fee to have a lifetime access to the networking site and to have my name appear
ReplyDeleteon-line as a registered member. Basically, if my name was googled then it would be associated with the Cambridge Who's Who
2009/2010..
$700.00?? I told the lady that that was a lot of money and that I needed to discuss it with my spouse... She seemed a little upset, but then tried to push that they would give me a plane voucher and all this other crap... Again when I said that I needed to discuss it with my spouse she got more upset... LOL.. Then she tried to offer me a "Discounted" membership fee for like $300.00
When I declined all of the above and asked if I could contact them back with my decision; she told me "NO" for reasons I can't remember; but then said I should receive in the mail a certificate stating that I qualified to be a member of Cambridges Who's Who for the year 2009 & 2010 and that my name should be associated with the organization for a year when googled..
WHAT A SCAM!!!!!
ray garcia of whos who is still working ther. he tried to scam me out of money.any hit men out there. i would like to bury him before he goes to prison
ReplyDeleteomg, i got it this week too. i thought that maybe it was from the college honor society that i belonged to last year. the letter looked so formal and real. but, deep in the recedes of my mind, i was thinking fake, fake, fake. i did go to their website to see how real it looked. i wanted to see if the website looked like my great uncle from nigeria. LOL! i studpidly filled out the card because it seemed harmless enough. then, i googled and found the scam. now i feel stupid. i can't wait for them to call. i am going to act like i have no brains and offer to pay them BIG BUCKS....when they hit me with a $700 bill, I will suggest that it is a bargain....then, i will quickly be called off the phone by something and never answer it from them again.
ReplyDeleteI fell for this stupid thing. :(
ReplyDeletewell i just got this letter...anything that i read and am not instantly understanding of its offerings, is always second guessed. I just love the fact that people get off to getting over on other people. it amazes me...
ReplyDeleteCambridge Who's Who -- Buyer Beware. DO NOT FALL VICTIM. THIS IS A SCAM. I became a "Cambridge Victim" back in Oct '09 and paid about $395. They start out by flattering you with what a great "industry leader" you are and how a membership can really enhance your career by networking thru them. Now, I am a paralegal at a healthcare company. I don't do speaking engagements nor am I ever noted publicly for my job accomplishments so I have no idea how they even got my name. But, in this economy I figured what the heck, who can say no to a little networking, which I assume are with my peers -- other folks in the legal profession and especially in the healthcare industry. I receive my acknowledgement for framing, a press kit and a few other bull shit items. Occasionally I am pointed towards individuals in the health field such as doctors, professors, biochemists and CEOs. Not the type of networking I was hoping AND I never received the book listing all the other suckers (oops I mean "Cambridge Members").
ReplyDelete6 months later (yesterday) I receive a call from "Mindy my new acct exec" asking to confirm my bio. Okay, we do that and she asks me to send a business card & my photo. Now she tells me to sit down because she has fabulous news for me .... I have been nominated as top leader in my industry. Hmmm, interesting I say, out of doctors, lawyers and other big wigs, I have been chosen as an industry leader? Oh, but this is in your field she tells me (emphasis on "Field"). I say who nominates and what are the qualifications. Naturally she has no idea just that this is so. Then she promptly wants to charge me $1,200 for this awesome tidbit which buys me a lifetime membership and a posting on their website as well as front page of the "Book". I beg off based on price so she offers the low price of $395 then I said okay to something she asks and she puts this charge thru to my Am Ex. I tell her to remove the charge as it was not my intention to pay this money at this time. I merely indicated I would CONSIDER the notion. We go around about how she would never have put that thru if she knew that was the case and it is too late to remove the charge. However, in the end she agrees to remove the charge with some encouragement of legal action from me. Upon hanging up w/her I then contacted AmEx and filed a dispute claim for the fees. In a follow up e-mail I advise Mindy of my claim with Amex and my withdrawal of membership. She confirmed back that the charge was removed and she'd pass along my cancellation letter. We shall see and if this is not the case then I am seriously considering filing a Class Action. I see a lot of other folks out there blogging that they have fallen victim to this so gathering a Class should not be too difficult. Anyone reading this -- try "Linked In" it is free. No Mindys trying to pressure you into paying something for nothing.
No I don't advise going near Linkedin as I clicked on the who's who ad on the Linkedin website. Having checked out lots of websites on this scam it appears they are at it everywhere. Australia, France Canada, USA. They use facebook or Linkedin to promote their 'company'. Fortunately I didn't hand over any money but they do have my work details, phone number and email address.
DeleteI took a job with this organization. It has many names. I learned it was a scam from the people I called. I quit after being on the phone for one day. I need a job but not enough to screw innocent people.
DeleteI love to get mail, don't you? However, when I opened this letter from "Cambridge Who's Who" I thought surely they made a mistake! My son lives in Cambridge and goes to Law School there, so at first I thought it could be meant for him? Reading further, I noticed this 'club' was for professional women, and that made me laugh. Although I am a fairly intelligent woman, I regret that I never finished college...and certainly have never had any professional accomplishments. I've never even made much more than minimum wage...and am currently unable to find employment at all! What a joke, and shame on this bogus group for trying to flatter us in an attempt to steal our money in these difficult economic times! Beware of anything that seems strange or asks for money...it is always WRONG! Luckily, I didn't fall for this scam and I hope the rest of you don't either...be careful!
ReplyDeleteThese folks just had me on the phone for 15 freaking minutes trying to sell me an $800 package. For crying out loud, no means no.
ReplyDeleteThank you for putting this out there. I also received the same letter. I do have a pretty good C-level job (not a huge company, but mid-sized), and I get Who's Who invitations all the time. I finally had to find out what the scam is here. I can't for the life of me figure out how being listed could have any benefits at all.
ReplyDeleteI got where I am through hard work and results, and not from networking. I get numerous emails every day from people trying to network with me. I've gotten to the point where a lunch invitation from someone I know is beginning to qualify as SPAM.
These days people are spending more time networking than actually working, and I think they'd all be better off if they focused on the latter. Accomplishments will take you farther than acquaintances.
I have a doctorate degree and fell for this scam by the swift talker on the phone. I have had all my emails bounced back from their customer service email. They are continuing to call and I hand up. Any ideas on how to get legal action against these individuals??
ReplyDeleteI fell for this too, got the letter and phone call all thinking it was free as its written but then bam I get "I recommend the gold package at 800 it comes with free plane tickets". I told her I will think about it and she says she needed an answer that night. I eventually paid 269 then googled and saw that it was a scam. Felt stupid. Months later, Heather from publishing calls and says she needs to congratulate me as the plaques and books are being printed and it will be another 350. By that time my card had expired (thank god). I told her I did not have the new on on me. She then kept calling 6 times a day from a blocked or anonymous number. I ignored all of them. She then started calling my office and then I claled them back and left her a message that I will sue her ass if she ever calls again. She never did :)
ReplyDeleteWhat I love about the internet is that you can quickly research anything in seconds. I once had a salesman come to my door trying to sell an extremely expensive water-softener. As he was giving his pitch to my wife, I booted up my computer and looked up his company online. I quickly discovered that many people had complained about this company ripping them off by charging them far more than the value of the product. When I returned to tell him what I had discovered, that was the end of his sales pitch.
ReplyDeleteMr Garcia is at it AGAIN.
ReplyDeleteworldwidewhoswho.com
His new details:
-----------------------------------
Ray Garcia
Account Director
Worldwide Who’s Who
RGarcia@worldwidewhoswho.com
www.worldwidewhoswho.com
Phone: (516) 833-8440 ext. 1359
Fax: (516) 393-0485
International No: +1 (516) 833-8440
if it walks like a duck, talks like a duck
its not a chicken....its a duck
They are also about to set up a new office with a new scam name: www.statebusinessnetwork.org
DeleteHey there, You've done an excellent job. I will certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I'm confident they'll be benefited from this web site.
ReplyDeletemy page: what is penis advantage
Marquis Who's Who, the real who's who company, was just bought out by Randy Narod, the owner of Cambridge Who's Who/Worldwide Branding and is now part of the Cambridge group and is employing the same questionable business practices. When I left it seemed like they weren't even publishing anymore books. Their just selling memberships in an online registry.
ReplyDelete