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Centerville firm running scam, suit claims
"Immediate Cash Flow! Incredible Return on Investment! The Perfect Home Based Business!" proclaims Universal Advertising Inc. of Centerville in promoting its franchises.
"Bogus business opportunity," responds the Federal Trade Commission.
"Lacking a reasonable basis for each claim," adds the U.S. Department of Justice.
The federal agencies on Dec. 6 filed a civil lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Salt Lake City that accuses Universal of harming consumers and the public interest.
It is the only Utah action among more than 100 taken nationwide in Project FAL$E HOPE$, an FTC crackdown on alleged franchise and work-at-home scams.
The suit alleges Universal has violated the Franchise Rule that requires franchisers to have a reasonable basis for earnings claims, to provide complete and accurate financial information to potential buyers and to disclose the number of prior purchasers who achieved the same or better results as touted in promotional material.
FTC launches crackdown on work-at-home scams
US consumer rights organisation the Federal Trade Commission has joined up with law enforcement agencies to launch a crackdown on bogus job opportunity scams.
Project FAL$E HOPE$ encompasses 100 law enforcement actions against various bogus work-at-home scams. The bogus business opportunities targeted include vending machines, ATM and Internet terminals, display racks for coffee and ink cartridges, Internet-based businesses, envelope stuffing, medical billing, and others.
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Centerville Company Targeted in Home-Based Business Lawsuit
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Federal prosecutors have filed a civil lawsuit against a Centerville, Utah, company that promised a home-based business opportunity would bring investors immediate cash flow and incredible returns. But the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice say the promise was bogus and lacked a basis for the claim. Both agencies are parties in the lawsuit filed Dec. 6 in U.S. District Court.
The action is among 100 included in "Project False Hopes," an 11-state federal crackdown on work-at-home scams. Other cases involves home-based business opportunities for vending machines, ATM and Internet terminals, envelope stuffing and medical billing.
The Utah lawsuit alleges Universal Advertising Inc., failed to provide complete and accurate financial information to potentials buyers and failed to disclose the number of prior investors who had achieved the profit levels claimed in promotional material.
Avoiding Common Work at Home Scams
Working from home is a great way to supply the additional income often needed for one spouse to stay home and raise their children. Sadly, many people are scared away from doing so because of the many scams that are so prevalent today. While it can be hard to tell fact from fiction, it is possible. With so many excellent work-at-home opportunities available today, it’s well worth the time to explore so you can be able to start your own business and enjoy the many benefits the business provides.
Here are several tips to avoid work-at-home scams:
When researching companies that hire home-based workers, the best place to start is the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB will have information on that business if there have been disputes or other problems. You'll want to look for a pattern of "Unresolved" or "Unanswered" disputes, which will be an indication that there is a problem with the company in question. The business does not need to be a member of the BBB to have complaints filed against them.
State cracks down on work-at-home scams
Some promise riches by selling hypo-allergenic cats. Others say the gold at the end of the rainbow is found in renting margarita machines. These and other apparent work-at-home scams are being targeted by the California Department of Corporations along with tn other states and the federal government. Dubbed Project FAL$E HOPE$, the enforcement actions target bogus business opportunities and work-at-home scams. The crackdown includes more than 100 law enforcement actions by state and federal agencies in 11 states. The DOC is taking action against illegal franchise businesses that offered or sold business operations for hypo-allergenic cats, home delivery of pet products, rental of margarita machines, mall coffee kiosks, blended juice cafes, health fitness and nutrition centers, among others.
A legal case we can all work on
It's not only lawyers who appreciate a beautiful piece like this. Any one with a taste for practicality and fine furniture will be interested in this week's project, a lawyer's bookcase; one of three projects you can tackle when refitting your home office. Also available are plans for a roll-top desk, and a rolling file-organizer.
Our bookcase is enclosed with glass doors to protect valuable book and memento collections from dust and aging. The doors open easily on a simple pivot, and slide right back into the case. There are no hinges or tricky mechanisms involved.
Best of all, the case is built in sections allowing you to complete the job in an easy to follow routine (our roll-top desk has been designed in a similar manner). When finished, simply mount each completed section one on top of another.
A Glimmer Of Hope For Balance
The national mood on work-life issues is among the grimmest I've seen in 15 years writing this column. In poll after poll, most executives and employees report discontent with their work-life balance. But three trends now gaining momentum hold the potential for positive change. While these developments aren't universal and will benefit mainly highly skilled workers, they hold the promise of a little more control over when and where you work — and some new tools to watch over loved ones while you do.
- This might be the year to ask for more job flexibility.
Employers are worried about attracting skilled young workers, for whom control over their time is a powerful draw. After 13 years of helping workers set up alternative work arrangements, Pat Katepoo, owner of www.workoptions.com, says managers are "recognizing they need to embrace" flexibility.
Got an urge to cook? Check out a local school
Not only is cooking a fantastic new hobby, it can be a way to explore exotic flavors and eat healthier to boot.
Atlanta is home to several cooking schools, which offer classes for adults or children taught by local celebrity chefs and other cooking experts. Interested students can learn everything from how to chop vegetables to how to cook almost any ethnic cuisine imaginable.
Gwinnett just got a new school of its own when the new Whole Foods Market opened in Duluth. Perched high above the bustling store, the Salud cooking school offers both hands-on cooking classes and demonstration style classes. Class topics range from basic cooking skills to preparing different cuisines to pairing wines with cheeses.
The hands-on participation classes, which are open to just 12 students at a time, let students try their hand at cooking techniques under the watchful eye of a local chef.
