Worldwide Marketing Solutions / Worldwideems con? Beware!

stansted

Hi Everyone
I think the time is perhaps right for those that have been scammed to a) lobby Greater Manchester Police because it appears clear to me that is fraud ... no two ways about it and they should be doing something about it b) contact Trading Standards and demand action and c) group together to take the scammers to court and claim back the money for breach of contract. d) The banks should also take their share of the responsibility over this and refund customers when they have refused to block the payments. The banks have the ability and authority to do this but cannot be bothered. So, on this score perhaps a threat of bad publicity might help. They are too busy paying themselves huge bonuses.

This should also be taken to the press. Perhaps you should also lobby your MPs because of the authorities failure to deal with it.

I agree with the last two people who are receiving lots of scam calls and it is difficult to knwo which is genuine especially as some reputable companies demand payment over the phone before sending you any information and this practice must be stopped. I also agree that these callers are first class con-tricksters whp obviously have a lot of talent for this sort of thing and it is a shame that they cannot put it to better use - perhaps by genuinely helping charities or their communities.

I feel those that have been scammed have now got to take the bull by the horns and demand something is done to stop it and to have their money returned (although it is most likely that Worldwide Marketing Solutions and others will merely wind up their business and start again under a new guise). We have recently seen how the two guys who scammed people over their Christmas wonderland theme park have been jailed for the deception - the same should happen to these people.

There is a web site (I don't have the address to hand) that lists scams that might prove useful.

born7

Alison,

I hear what you are saying, yet you obviously were not apart of this scam. I was, and this company posed as Google to me.. to others they posed as Facebook.

They phoned as google stating that they were launching a special ad campaign designed for new business owners in the UK. We all know Google is huge in the US 9 actually the best PCP from adsense is from the US as well. If you are familiar with purchasing adwords, you would know that the price varies upon the keyword.

The way which this campaign was stated was reasonable. If anything maybe too glorious to think google would be bothering with little guys in the UK. But hey, their are goods deeds in the world and Google could certainly afford it.

So, anyway... that's how is goes. We are not complete eggheads.

Your post kinda sounds condesending.

born7

This company is completly off their rocker with cockiness! I was apart of their Febuary 2011 threats and stupidly paid Frank Burns, £240.00 (w/vat) for complete closure of any further dealings with them.. Completely regretted it once I had phoned Trade And Standards since they said to NOT pay them anything...

Now again today, I receive ANOTHER email from some other guy at WorldWideMarketing, stating that I owe nearly £600.00 for an outstanding balance. AND that Legal action has been applied for due to my non-action!

What a JOKE!!

born7

Okay, just a heads up for everyone still having issues with the fraud of WorldWide Marketing Solutions. You CANNOT report of Manchester Police Fraud Department, IF you do not live in that area. What is needed is to contact your local Police Department to report the fraud of this company. Your local branch with send files over to Manchester. I am awaiting another call from Trade And Standard to AGAIN report this situation. I can say one thing though, They will NOT be getting any money from me. Actually, a court case may be good to get back what they have swindled so far.

stansted

My colleague has been threatened with court action too but I cannot see it ever coming to court because the defences people have must prove that this company is 'passing themselves off' as Google ... a claim they have denied ... but the evidence is stacking against Worldwide on this. There is also the evidence of the BBC 'You and Yours' programme when they highlighted the scam.

I don't think you are correct about not taking a fraud complaint to Greater Manchester Police because it has been insitgated in their area. If they have told you this then I would suggest the police are merely trying to pass the buck and I would take the matter to your MP and make a formal complaint. The chances are in any event that Greater Manchester Police already have a file on these people and might well be investigating it already.

Although I am not a lawyer ... I would suggest calling their bluff on the threat of legal action ... by ignoring and waiting to see what happens and then, if you were to receive a summons ... defend it by counterclaiming for the money you have paid them plus costs and interest on account of the fact that they have failed to deliver the said services that they promised. Hope this helps.

born7

Stansted,

I contacted the Manchester Police to report Fraud and they directed me to contact my local department. They understood and confirmed they can see individuals feeling they need to contact the department where the business is located, but that is not so. It could be due to needing to confirm the complainant is legit. I understand both reasoning, yet the procedure is to contact your local police and they will then forward and necessary infomation to (in this case) Manchester.

It is the same with Trade and Customs and Consumer direct. A person complains to their local agents, who then forward the information to the appropriate sector of the business recieving the complaint.

Also, I tried to find the BBC 'You and Yours' programme which highlighted this scam, yet I have found nothing. What date was the programme?? Or what other topics did they discuss in the segment?? All of the BBC 'You and Yours' programmes are available to listen to online. I'd like to hear it. I would greatly appreciate if you could be more specific.

I feel the best advice to give anyone is to contact Trade and Standard if your dealings were business related with WorldWide. If ones dealings were for personal purposes, they should contact Consumer Direct. Any and all could contact their local Police and explain the situation as well as contact a Solicitor..

@Stansted. I am curious... Has your colleague taken the steps you have advised? Where they able to file complaints with Manchester Police if not living in the area? Where they given any advice?

alisonmeyers

born7 wrote: »

Alison,

I hear what you are saying, yet you obviously were not apart of this scam..... We are not complete eggheads.

i see you are right . i suppose these scumbags work on numbers too, even if they only get a tiny percent of people to bite it will be worth it for them - here's hoping karma (or the Police) catches up with them soon

stansted

Hi Born 7
Thanks for your comments. I wasn't aware that you have to report things to your local police ... this could explain why nothing ever gets followed up or solved. In my book it is regarded as passing the buck! Nevertheless it may be worth contacting your local force who, I wouldn't mind betting might suggest contacting Manchester ... but then I am a sceptic. When my mate contacted Manchester they said he would be called back (he wasn't) but they did not mention reporting it locally. He hasn't reported it to the local police or, as far as I am aware Trading Standards because when I last saw him he couldn't get through to them and at the present he is out of the country hence why I was assisting.

The 'You and Yours' programme was aired on the week begining 23 February although I can't remember which day. It only formed part of the programme so you may have to listen to those on IPlayer for that week. You could try calling thme ... they may have a transcript.

The problem is that all of the authorities are reluctant to do anything unless you make a thorough nuisance of yourself - from my experience they never want to do the work they are paid to do.

Regards
S

hampshirebabe

Hi, I was contacted by them a couple of months ago and took up thier off, and paid them £200. Am I likely to get that back through trading standards, or should I just put it down as a mistake on my part? Are they able to take more money without my agreeing, or would they just send me threatening letters, which if I got it right from here, dont mean anything? Should I cancel my card, or tell my bank?
Thanks I've not had time to read the whole thread, but got through most of it, so sorry if its already been answered.
Mary

stansted

Hi Mary
You won't get your money back through Trading Standards and if you have given them your credit card this company is likely to continue taking payments. You may needf to cancel your credit card before this can happen and apply for a new one. The only way you are likely to get your money back is to sue this company for breach of contract but they probably won't cough up so it may be better to put it down to a bad experience. Warn everyone you can about getting scammed by them.