Must Read
* * * DMPG FEATURED ARTICLES * * *
Civil Lawsuit
June 19, 2006
Civil Lawsuit Filed Against Vincent Pitts
President of National Field Selling Association
NFSA
A civil lawsuit has been filed against Vincent Pitts (president of the National Field Selling Association)
and owner of Palmetto Marketting, Inc. (palmettomarketinginc.com)
in response to the brutal beating and rape of a 50 year-old Menomonie, Wisconsin Woman on July 1, 2005.
STATE OF WISCONSIN
CIRCUIT COURT
DUNN COUNTY
Ms.x
Menomonie, WI 54751
Plaintiff,
Wisconsin Department of Justice
Crime Victim Compensation Program
17 West Main Street
P.O. Box 7951
Madison, WI 53708-7951
and
Group Health Cooperative of Eau Claire County
2503 North Hillcrest Parkway
Altoona, WI 54720
Subrogated Parties.
Case No:
Case Codes: 30106, 30107
vs.
Vincent Pitts, an Individual
7522 Wiles Road, Suite 112
Coral Springs, FL 33067
Palmetto, Marketing, Inc., a Florida Corporation
7522 Wiles Road, Suite 112
Coral Springs, FL 33067
Sunshine Subscription Agency, Inc., a Florida Corporation
7522 Wiles Road, Suite 112
Coral Springs, FL 33067
Robert Cecil, an Individual
7522 Wiles Road, Suite 112
Coral Springs, FL 33067
Tina Michelle Cecil, an Individual
7522 Wiles Road, Suite 112
Coral Springs, FL 33067
Gemini Subscriptions, Inc., a Florida Corporation
7522 Wiles Road, Suite 112
Coral Springs, FL 33067
Brandon Green, an Individual
Dunn County Jail
615 Stokke Parkway
Menomonie, WI 54751
Read The Criminal Complaint Againsit Brandon Lee Green
Read The Civil Lawsuit Against Vincent Pitts
|
Civil RICO
January 7, 2005
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF ORANGE
CENTRAL JUSTICE CENTER
DANIEL WILKINSON, an individual;
STEPHANIE LAURITO, an individual; and
MARCUS HENKHAUS, an individual, on behalf
of themselves and all others similarly situated,
Plaintiffs,
v.
HY-PRO CHEMICAL PRODUCTS, INC., a
Texas corporation; EDGE SALES, INC., a Texas
corporation; JOSEPH w. EDGE, an individual;
and DOES 1 through 100, inclusive,
Defendants.
COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES
AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF
|
August 19, 2004
If It's Not One Pitch, It's Another
Do Not Call List Boosts Door-to-Door Sales
You could call it a knock-knock joke on consumers.
Homeowners irritated by mealtime marketing calls
may have inadvertently brought back the door-to-door salesman.
BY TOM DURANTE
Long Island Press
longislandpress.com
Read This Story
May 24, 2004
Pitts Sales Sues Inside Edition
For Hidden Camera/Racketeering
Read Federal Complaint - PDF Format
May 17, 2004
Knock Knock
Desperate, young magazine peddlers are out there,
roaming America in search of the next sucker.
Have you been conned?
By Rupal Parekh
The New York Review of Magazines
Read This Story
April 4, 2004
Former magazine seller shares stories of life on the road
By BRIGID O'MALLEY
Naples Daily News
Read This Story
April 4, 2004
Traveling sales crews alarm law enforcement agencies
By BRIGID O'MALLEY
Naples Daily News
Read This Story
Febuary 3, 2004
EXPLOITED YOUNGSTERS SELLING MAGAZINES
DOOR-TO-DOOR MAKE SALES COMPANIES RICH:
AN INSIDE EDITION INVESTIGATION
Youngsters abuse drugs while driving in vans,
party in motels every night,
and are exploited by managers
Inside Edition
Read This Story
January 4, 2004
When crime knocks
Door-to-door sales industry has few regulations regarding employees
Knoxville News-Sentinel
Read This Story
June 30, 2003
The hazards of door-to-door sales
Solicitors are often young people working in unfamiliar places.
philly.com
By Dwayne Campbell and Amie Parnes
Inquirer Staff Writers
Read This Story
__________________________________________
* * *Traveling Sales Crews Criminal Chronology * * *
A History Of Tragedy And Carnage
Innocent Children, Teens, Young Adults, And Homeowners
Are Maimed, Raped, Robbed, And Murdered
As The Door To Door Traveling Sales Industry
Continues To Profit.
__________________________________________
2005
July 7, 2005
Who's there ?
A troubling case raises questions about solicitors
By KEN WOOD
Sun Newspapers
Read Complete Story
Data Source:
Menlo Park California Police
Case Number: 040121071
Twinsberg Ohio Police Department
Case Number: 0414626
Synopsis:
Derrick Todd Jones two time convicted sexual offender
selling magazines door to door.
Unified Stars
Go Doers
American Community Services, Inc.
Selling Magazines Door to Door
2004
August 12, 2004
Man admits he molested 9-year-old El Cajon girl
Maurice Andre Thomas Sexually Assaults 9 Year Old Girl
Data Source: El Cajon Police Report
Court No.: CE238576
Synopsis: Defendant is a traveling salesman charged
with nine felony counts including child molestation
of a 9-year-old El Cajon girl in her apartment on 3/16/04.
Victim says she was forced into her apartment,
held against her will and sexually assaulted.
Services Unlimited Plus
Selling Magazines Door to Door
June 15, 2004
Traveling Magazine Salesman Azriel Rashad Bridge
Murders Shirley Reuter.
Shirley Reuter was found beaten and stabbed on the floor
of her suburban New Jersey home.
New Jersey murder has Michiana ties
Bridge is being held on a $500,000 bond,
has outstanding warrents in Illinois,
and is also being charged with robbery.
June 15, 2004
Man Did Not Undergo Background Check
Chicago Murder Suspect Had Previous Warrant
CHICAGO -- Shirley Reuter, 77, was found beaten and stabbed to death
on the floor of her New Jersey home, and on Monday 18-year-old
Azriel Bridge, of Chicago, was arraigned in court, charged with her murder.
Phoenix Imagery, Inc.
American Community Services
Selling Magazines Door to Door
April 21, 2004
Man charged with murder in magazine saleswoman's death
Read Complete Story
RAPID CITY -- A 41-year-old Rapid Valley man was charged early Tuesday
with murdering a 21-year-old woman who came to his home last week to sell magazines.
Neil Frame, 3030 Gypsey Road, faces first-degree murder charges in the death of Kristina Moore
of Lancaster, Calif. Moore disappeared Wednesday evening while working for a door-to-door
magazine crew in the Rapid Valley area where Frame lived.
Moore's body was found Friday morning in a field near Hermosa.
During a news conference Tuesday morning, city, county and state law-enforcement
officers said autopsy results showed that Moore had suffered a blow to the head but
died of asphyxiation from strangulation.
When she was found Friday, she still had a plastic zip tie around her neck,
Pennington County State's Attorney Glenn Brenner said.
There also were indications on the body that a stun gun might have been used, Brenner said.
Imperial Sales
Liberator Sales
Pacific Coast Clearing Services
Selling Magazines Door to Door
2003
September 14, 2003
"Jones said he worked 80 hours a week,
was cheated out of commissions and worked
in a culture of drug use and violence."
Magazine sales work ends in tale of terror
Great Lakes Circulation
Selling Magazines Door to Door
June 15, 2003
Fifteen people were crammed into the 1992 Chevrolet Suburban
when it rolled over on a lonely stretch of U.S. Highway 666
about five miles north of Shiprock, N.M., just before noon
last Sept. 20. Two teenage girls were killed.
Deaths nothing new for sales crews
Atlantic Circulation Inc.
Selling Magazines Door to Door
2002
July 29, 2002
Magazine Sales Company Settles
With Murder Victim's Family For $1 Million
Diane Cooper Murdered
Diane Cooper's daughters Monday morning
signed a $1 million settlement of their lawsuit
against Palmetto Marketing, Inc., the Florida-based
company whose employee murdered Cooper in May of 2000.
Cooper was murdered in her Fulton home by Matthew Maxson,
a door-to-door magazine salesman.
Police believe Cooper had let the young man into her home.
She was stabbed with a knife and with a broken bottle.
DeGeorge Sales
Palmetto Marketing
Selling Magazines Door to Door
September 03, 2002
Door To Door Magazine Salesman Michael Roland Poissant
Charged With Two Counts of Rape, Kidnapping,
Abduction And Aggravated burglary.
Salesman allegedly rapes 12-year-old
Man was selling magazines door-to-door
Suspect drops plea
Salesman accused of raping young girl decides to face jury
Palmetto Marketing
Selling Magazines Door to Door
June 26, 2002
Door-To-Door Salesman Accused Of Rape
Man Entered Home After Asking For Water, Police Say
Deon Bowens Rapes 14 Year Old Girl
PITTSBURGH -- A 14-year-old girl was allegedly raped
while babysitting a 1-year-old in Dormont.
Austin Diversified Products
Selling Cleaner Products Door to Door
2001
August 22, 2001
Traveling Magazine Salesman Rodger Eric Broadway
Rapes And Murders Knoxville Tennessee Woman.
Police capture man charged with murder of local woman
The Real Deal
American Community Services
Selling Magazines Door to Door
April 19, 2001
Two young Douglas County Colorado girls ages 12 and 13
are sexually assaulted by traveling magazine salesmen
Dwayne Taylor and Maurice Rogers
Two Clarke Farms teens sexually assaulted by magazine salesmen
Magazine salesman convicted of assault
American Community Services
Selling Magazines Door to Door
2000
June 05, 2000
Five Traveling Door To Door Magazine Salesmen
Brutally Beat Brett D. King To Death.
Allen County Indiana Coroner determines that Brett D. King died
as a result of blunt force trauma to the head.
Magazine sales: No fun in sun
Teens, young adults often trapped in web of drugs, death
Youthful salesman's long regret
Convicted of murder, he now wishes he had listened to his mother
New River Subscription Services
Selling Magazines Door to Door
March 18, 2000
Frustrated Families Confronting Publishers
Sales crews still dying as reform stalls
The Death Toll Climbs
World Wide Circulation
Palmetto Marketing
Selling Magazines Door to Door
1999
August 7, 1999
Blame Publishers, Not Young Salespeople
Article By The Director Of Parent Watch
May 6, 1999
Toxic chemicals demonstrated orally by young, eager sales force
The Examiner On-Line
By Jerry Jordan
Read This Story
Hy-Pro Chemical
Joseph Edge
Selling Cleaner Products Door to Door
April 29, 1999
Rock ‘n roll’ sales job: Drugs and booze abound
The Examiner On-Line
By Jerry Jordan
Read This Story
Hy-Pro Chemical
Joseph Edge
Selling Cleaner Products Door to Door
March 25, 1999
Seven Die And Five Are Maimed For Life
Traveling Magazine Sales Crew Van Crash
Janesville Wisconsin - March 25, 1999
Youth Employment Services/Subscriptions Plus, Inc.
New Company Names:
Services Unlimited Plus
Subscription Services
National Magazine Services
CIRCULATION I, INC
CIRCULATION II, INC
National Community Clearing, INC
PRAETORIAN
PLATINUM SALES
PARAGON SALES
MAJESTIC SALES
Selling Magazines Door to Door
1998
November 8, 1998
DeMers was critically injured and not breathing
Beaten Near Death By
Jeremy Delano Kincaid and James Larry Ransom
In the shadow of violence
Assault occured on August 12, 1998
American Community Services
Selling Magazines Door to Door
March 6, 1998
WOMAN RAPIST SENTENCED TO 6 YEARS:
Abstract (Article Summary)
When Bridgette Latrice Brown, 23, knocked on the door of a Seattle woman's home
and told her she was selling magazines to help get kids off the streets,
the woman believed her. But when Brown asked the woman to take her to a motel,
then grabbed a knife and threatened to take her life . . . the woman was shocked.
"I have never seen a stranger case," said King County Senior Deputy Prosecutor
Kathy Goater, who heads the special assault unit. "A forcible rape of a woman by
another woman? It rarely happens. In the context of a strange rape, I've never
seen one like this before."
RONALD K. FITTEN.
Seattle Times. Seattle, Wash.: Mar 6, 1998.
Seattle Times Archive Link:
WOMAN RAPIST SENTENCED TO 6 YEARS
Selling Magazines Door to Door
1997
October 26, 1997
Friend's death in crash still disturbs ex-seller
From the Journal Sentinel
Meg Kissinger
Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Aug. 1, 1999.
Read The Complete Story
Angel Trevino is haunted by the memories of holding her friend
who lay dying along the highway.
The two had been on a crew together for eight months
at All-Star Promotions, a magazine subscription
sales company based in Pilot Point, Texas. They had been working
in Destin, Fla., and had left just after midnight Oct. 26, 1997, on
their way back to Texas. It had begun to rain as they were driving
through Jackson, Miss., at about 9 that morning. The van swerved as the
driver tried to pass another car, and rolled off the road,
throwing Amber Stankovich, 19, onto the pavement. Trevino's legs were crushed,
but she was conscious. She dragged herself through the shattered windshield.
The four others in the crash were shaken, but none was as bad off as Stankovich.
Trevino would tell an investigator for Parent Watch, an industry watchdog:
"We couldn't find Amber, because she was in a ditch. I finally saw her and wanted to go to her,
but there was this barbed wire in the way. The ambulance people brought her up and put her next to me.
They said she had a heartbeat but wasn't breathing. I started freaking out, but they told me to talk
to her and try to bring her back, that sometimes that helps."
All Star Promotions
Selling Magazines Door to Door
1996
September 5, 1996
Michael W. Grinnell and Jacob R. Russell
Beat To Death
Billy Joe Gilbert and Adam Chesnek
Traveling Salesmen Murdered
"Victims refused to participate in a robbery"
All Star Promotions
Selling Magazines Door to Door
1995
Dec 10, 1995
ELDERLY WOMAN ATTACKED BY SALESMAN, POLICE SAY
Orlando Sentinel; Orlando, Fla.; Dec 10, 1995;
See Article Abstracts: Dec. 10, 1995
A magazine salesman revisited the apartment of an 88-year-old woman
who turned down a subscription and attacked her, police said Saturday.
Samuel A. Erby, 20, was arrested a few minutes after the assault Wednesday.
He was in jail Saturday, charged with injury to an elderly person.
Police said the salesman tried to suffocate the woman with her scarf.
Then he tried to smother her with his hand as she fought him and screamed.
He ran away and a neighbor called 911.
Police found the woman lying on the floor near her front door.
She was treated for cuts and bruises.
Selling Magazines Door to Door
Sept. 29, 1995
JUDGE SENTENCES MAN IN KILLING
GUNMAN GETS 100-YEAR TERM FOR 1995 SHOOTING
Chanuncey Watts
a.k.a. Chauncey Whitehead
Additional Charges:
Criminal Attempt To Commit Murder,
First-Degree Assault
Criminal Use Of A Firearm
AND
Aug 13, 1998
SUSPECT CHARGED IN HOTEL SHOOTING
Chanuncey Whitehair
In Crowd
Chapel Sales, Inc
Selling Magazines Door to Door
July 15, 1995
Firm illegally selling magazines door-to-door here settles lawsuit
Janet Kelley; Lancaster New Era. Lancaster, Pa.; July 15, 1995;
See Article Abstracts: July 15, 1995
A Washington business and its president have paid $5,000 to settle accusations
stemming from their involvement in the illegal door-to-door sale of magazine
subscriptions in southcentral Pennsylvania.
The defendants also agree to make restitution both to consumers who didn't get the
subscriptions they paid for and to sales personnel who didn't get promised salaries and bonuses.
A consent petition filed this week in Lancaster County Court identifies the defendants
as NCS Corp., Gig Harbor, Wash., and its president, William Gillespie.
In August 1992, the attorney general's office sued NCS and several other corporations.
Among other things, the lawsuit alleged that the defendants:
Charged consumers a $7 "processing fee" that wasn't adequately disclosed or explained.
Failed to properly register with the state.
NCS Corp., Gig Harbor, Wash.
Selling Magazines Door to Door
1994
June 23, 1994
SALESMAN IS CHARGED IN BOY'S STRANGULATION
First Degree Intentional Homicide
Child Abduction
Times - Picayune; New Orleans, La.;
See Article Abstracts: Jume 30, 1994
A door-to-door salesman is charged with strangling a 9-year-old boy
whose nude body was found a block away from his suburban home.
John James Smith, 19, of Carol Stream, Ill., was charged Monday in Circuit
Court with first-degree intentional homicide and child abduction in the
death of Jesse Hubatch of Franklin.
Hy-Pro Chemical
Hy-Pro Cleaner
Selling Cleaner Products Door to Door
For Further Information On Hy-Pro Chemical See:
Slaves to the sale
1993
November 4, 1993
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
v.
RICHARD EUGENE CAGLE and MICHAEL PAUL SCOTT
First-Degree Felony Murder
Robbery With A Dangerous Weapon
Conspiracy To Commit Robbery
With A Dangerous Weapon
MICHAEL PAUL SCOTT
Sun Circulation
Selling Magazines Door to Door
March 3, 1993
Whittier Heights Stung By Assaults Of 4-Year-Old
A traveling magazine salesman is accused of luring a 4-year-old boy
into a restroom last Thursday at Whittier Elementary School and sexually
assaulting him. The suspect was arrested the next day and has been
charged with first-degree rape of a child.
Alex Tizon
Seattle Times
Seattle Times Archive Link:
Whittier Heights Stung By Assaults Of 4-Year-Old
Florida Based Magazine Sales Company
Selling Magazines Door to Door
1992
1992
Slaves to the sale
Nancy Stancill
Read these 'award winning' articles by Nancy Stancill.
The 'Slaves to the sales series' reveal a shocking
glimpse into the dark and murky past
of the ‘traveling door to door sales’ industry
and provides an excellent history of an unregulated and
immoral enterprise that continues to exploit young adults for profit.
Slaves to the sale
|
June 21, 1992
MAGAZINE SALES JOBS CALLED SLAVERY
TEENS REPORT TOILING 60 HOURS A WEEK FOR $7 A DAY IN PAY
Patroit News, Harrisburg PA.
By: George Weigel
Credit: NEWHOUSE NEWS SERVICE
Article Abstract:
"Travel. Make lots of money."
Those words in a newspaper help-wanted ad caught the eye of 19-year-old
Maxine Preston of Luzerne County, Pa.
Things sounded so good when Preston went for an interview at a local hotel
that she agreed to leave that same night on what she thought was the perfect job.
What followed was the worst three months of her life. Preston says she was taught
to lie to customers to make sales. She found herself knocking on doors six days a week
from 9 a.m. to as late as 2 in the morning.
MAGAZINE SALES JOBS CALLED SLAVERY
American Marketing Network
Selling Magazines Door to Door
1991
January 22, 1991
DOOR-TO-DOOR MAGAZINE SELLER JAILED AFTER RAPE
SCOTT HERHOLD, Mercury News Staff Writer
San Jose Mercury News (CA)
Article Abstract:
A 23-year-old Mississippi man who sold magazines door to door was in custody
at Santa Clara County Jail Thursday after being arrested on suspicion of
raping a woman in East San Jose.
Police said the man forced his way into the residence after the woman
-- described as being in her 20s -- opened her front door. Officers
would say only that the rape occurred about 3 p.m. Tuesday near White
Road and Cunningham Road. The man choked the victim and kicked her, raped
her and then fled out the rear of her house, police said.
Sgt. Greg Trapp said an officer responding to the call recognized the
description as resembling a magazine salesman in the same neighborhood.
Trapp said investigators then interviewed neighbors, who were able to
describe the man and the identity card he used to sell magazines.
After checking with the city's permit division, the police determined
that the man worked for American Community Services Inc.,
which sells a variety of magazines.
American Community Services
Selling Magazines Door to Door
1990
July 13, 1990
Magaizne salesman Darrin Whitman is found guilty
of murdering Bernice Clark.
See Article Abstracts
July 22, 1990
REGULATION OF SOLICITORS VIRTUALLY NIL OFFICIALS
REASSESS LOCAL LAWS IN WAKE OF WOBURN KILLING
January 18, 1991
Salesman found guilty of Woburn murder
Bernice Clark, 76, was found stabbed to death in her Senator Road home July 13.
Hours later, Darrin Whitman, an employee of an Indiana-based soliciting company,
was arrested by state and Woburn police and charged with the killing.
A Middlesex Superior Court jury deliberated approximately two hours before
finding that Darrin Whitman, 24, had killed Clark, a retired beautician,
with deliberate premeditation.
Whitman was one of a large group of young people brought into the
Woburn area last summer by American Community Services of Michigan City,
Ind., to sell magazines and had sold a subscription to Clark earlier in the day.
Evidence showed he later came back, made Clark undress and lie on the bed
before stabbing her four times, once in the heart.
American Community Services
Selling Magazines Door to Door
1989
July 6, 1989
Bakersfield, California
John Lee Holt rapes and murders a 65-year-old woman
who told him to leave.
The California Supreme Court has upheld the death penalty
given a door-to-door salesman who was convicted of murdering
a 65-year-old woman who told him to leave.
A Kern County Superior Court jury convicted John Lee Holt of robbery,
rape and murder in the 1989 incident, and the state court upheld the
decision in this automatic appeal.
venus.soci.niu.edu
Rick Halperin
AI-Texas
Posted May 19, 1997
John Lee Holt
Austin Diversified Products
Selling Household Cleaning Products Door to Door
1988
July 5, 1988
Carl M. McClellan Convicted Of First Degree Felony Rape
American Fork, Utah
McClellan was found guilty of raping
a 19 year-old deaf American Fork woman.
See Un-Posted News Article: August 31, 1988 - SALESMAN GUILTY OF AM.F. RAPE
Utah Dept. of Corrections:
Sex Offender Registry
Door-To-Door Salesman Selling Cleaner
1987
April 7, 1987
ABUSES BY DOOR-TO-DOOR SALES OUTFITS ALLEGED
DateLine: Washington
Media General News Service
By Steve Goldberg
Read This Story
Mecca Enterprises Inc.
Selling Magazines and Cleaner Products Door to Door
1985
December 22, 1985
SALES FIRMS ACCUSED OF EXPLOITING YOUTHS
Seattle Times; Seattle, Wash.; Dec 22, 1985;
DateLine: Portland
AP
Read This Story
Selling Magazines Door to Door
1984
June 17, 1984
Magazine Sales Enmesh Youths In Murky World
Magazine Sales Enmesh Youths In Murky World - Morning Call
Circulation Builders of America, Magnet International,
National Circulating Co., National Publishers Circulation House, Inc.,
North American Book Sales, Publishers Circulation,
Solar Circulation, Stargazer,
TICOA (Trans International Clearinghouse of America) Corp.,
Trade Tech International, U.S. Publishers,
U.S. Publishers Circulation, Inc.,
Youth of America,
Jo Edge
Selling Magazines Door to Door
1982
July 25, 1982
Suspect In Murder Had Criminal Past
View as PDF File
Aggravated Murder
Rape
Burglary
On August 19, 1982, David W. Steffen talked his way into
the home of a 19-year old Cincinnati woman. David Steffen,
a young door-to-door salesman, was selling a cleaner
product which was packaged by Hy-Pro Chemical.
The 19-year-old Cincinnati woman allowed
him in to give her a demonstration.
The Cincinnati woman watched as Steffen scrubbed the tile
under the sink.
When he stood up, Steffen brushed against her breast.
She started to scream. Steffen warned her to stop but she
continued. Steffen then beat her severely, ran into the
kitchen, found a paring knife and returned to the bathroom
where he raped her and cut her throat.
Steffen beat her, broke her nose, choked her and slashed
her throat 4 times. He left the home after raping her,
leaving her body for her mother to find.
For Further Information On Hy-Pro Chemical See:
Slaves to the sale
Hy-Pro Chemical
Selling Cleaner Products Door To Door
1978
March 8, 1978
Coming Out of the Shadows
Linda Bright's Murder
Selling Magazines
**** Archive ****
1964 - 1987 Archive
1964-1987
MEDIA COVERAGE
DOOR-TO-DOOR TRAVELING SALES CREWS
Media Coverage 1964 - 1987
Posted 03/12/05
1951 Archive
June 18, 1951
Slamming the Door
The Green River Ordinance
Time Magazine On-Line Archive
Posted 04/17/05
--------------------------------------
|
San Jose, California
Warning: Door to Door Magazine SCAM !!!
May 7, 2008
Action Line: Magazine scam blooms once again this spring
By Dennis Rockstroh
Article Launched: 05/07/2008 01:32:24 AM PDT
Q I was scammed by two boys claiming to be selling magazines to support a baseball team.
They claimed to be raising money for their team to go to a tournament in Florida.
The point man of the two-man team was very convincing and claimed to be our neighbor.
Being new to the neighborhood I wanted to be neighborly and offered to help them out.
I wrote them a check for some magazines to be donated to a children's charity.
After they left, something wasn't sitting right with me so I Googled the company listed on the very official looking receipt and found countless reports at www.ripoffreport.com of people like me being swindled.
I'm writing in the hope that the paper will write about it and put it somewhere everyone can see it.
We need to educate people so that they won't fall prey to similar scams.
J.M.
Morgan Hill
A Everyone, tell your friends about this very common scam that blossoms in the spring and lasts
well through the summer.
Regular readers of this column know all about this.
You may recall the last time we visited this subject three months ago, the scam went like this.
The folks at Good Samaritan Hospital reported that door-to-door sellers were moving through
Saratoga and Los Gatos neighborhoods identifying themselves as West Valley Community College students.
They were "pushing" magazine subscriptions that would supposedly go to children hospitalized at Good Sam.
The sellers "suggested" the victims spend $40 each for every member of their family.
One woman said she wrote the seller a check just to get rid of them.
Good Sam said that the sellers had no connection with the hospital.
You can expect to see these sellers sweeping through the neighborhoods.
Be very careful with these folks because they are pushy.
It is best not to let door-to-door solicitors inside your home.
But if you don't say "no" right away, then ask to see a card or brochure. California
law requires that solicitors have something that shows the name and contact numbers
for the organization they represent. If they can't produce that information, thank
them politely and close the door.
If you are interested in buying, get everything in writing first and ask the salesperson to
check back later after you've gone over everything.
Be aware that these "students" will lie about where they are from, telling you that they live
in your community and that they are a student at your local high school or college.
In reality, many of them are traveling across the country in a van packed with as
many as 15 teens and young adults selling magazine subscriptions that can cost as much as
300 percent more than if you were to buy the same subscription directly from the publisher
via the Internet.
Another common false pitch is that they are working toward points to win a trip or that
they are doing charity work selling magazines for a local hospital or that they are
working toward a scholarship.
In all likelihood, these are scams.
• Mail: San Jose Mercury News, 750 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, Calif. 95190
• E-mail: actionline@mercurynews.com
• Fax: (408) 288-8060.
Please include full name, address and phone number.
Because of the volume of requests, I cannot respond to everyone.
For tips, self-help, news and discussion, see the Consumer Action Line Web log. Go to
www.mercurynews.com. Click on "all blogs."
By Dennis Rockstroh
San Jose Mercury News (Silicon Valley)
mercurynews.com
San Jose, California
Read This Story
|
Boise, Idaho
Door to Door Magazine Salesman Arrested
May 2, 2008
10:18 a.m. -- Boise resident puts Kansas man selling magazines under citizen's arrest
Patrick Orr - porr@idahostatesman.com
Edition Date: 05/02/08
Idaho Statesman
A suspicious West Boise resident placed a Kansas man under citizen's arrest Thursday after
the man tried to sell magazines without a license.
Joshua D. Mott, 19, of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, is charged with misdemeanor illegal solicitation.
Mott was arrested Thursday afternoon when a resident at a home in the 2300 block of Welford
Place, near the Maple Grove and Ustick roads neighborhood, asked a man who was attempting to
sell magazines to produce a valid solicitor license issued by the city of Boise.
The resident told police the man — later identified as Mott — said he didn't have one.
The resident then told Mott it was against the law to sell door-to-door without a valid license.
Mott attempted to sell the magazines anyway, so the resident called police, and then kept
talking to Mott until police arrived.
The resident put Mott under citizen's arrest.
Mott was taken into custody by Boise police and booked into the Ada County Jail on the
solicitation charge.
"It's good to see citizens listening to our alerts, recognizing the dangers, and calling
police as soon as they see this activity in their neighborhoods," Boise Police Lt. Alan
Cavener said. "These unlicensed solicitors are not only illegal, they're aggressive and
threatening with residents. They've also been associated with other crime like
robbery and burglary."
Patrick Orr - porr@idahostatesman.com
Idaho Statesman
idahostatesman.com
Boise, Idaho
Read This Story
|
Roanoke, Virginia
Door to Door Magazine Sales Scam !!!
May 2, 2008
Better Business Bureau issues warning
againt door-to-door magazine sales
By Mollie Halpern
Investigative Reporter
WSLS 10
Published: May 2, 2008
WSLS Ten On Your Side has learned more about the door-to-door magazine sales operation
we first warned you about on tuesday.
“Dedicated Turnaround, LLC” is *not* a charity—even though its salespeople claim proceeds
go toward an adult job training program.
So, the money for the magazines are proceeds for the business itself.
Since our story aired, the Better Business Bureau says it has gotten dozens of
calls from people saying salespeople are making pitches in their neighborhoods.
The B-B-B says the company plans to stay in the area for two months.
If the sales-people knock on your door, the B-B-B says to be wary that you may be paying hidden costs.
By Mollie Halpern
Investigative Reporter
WSLS 10
Roanoke, Virginia
Read This Story
|
Houston, Texas
Magazine Sales Crews
May 1, 2008
Are magazine sales crews bringing crime to your door?
07:12 AM CDT on Thursday, May 1, 2008
By Jeff McShan / 11 News
KHOU
HOUSTON -- In one upscale neighborhood near the Galleria, there recently was a rash of
home burglaries that seemed awfully peculiar.
“It’s such a coincidence that where ever they show up with a cell phone, there is a burglary
right next door,” resident Henry de La Garza said.
And residents like de La Garza told 11 News all of the clues and pointed to a group of young
suspects who were staying at a nearby Ramada Inn.
“And they are dangerous,” he said.
He’s talking about door-to-door magazine salespeople.
“They are soliciting under false pretenses,” another resident said.
So 11 News decided to investigate. Our first plan was to simply follow one of their vans
into a neighborhood, so we could observe them working.
But the driver noticed we were behind him and pulled into a parking lot. So we asked him a question:
“Hey, can you tell me who I need to talk to about magazine sales?” I said.
And right at that very moment, one of the salesmen grabbed our camera and took off running.
When he overheard me calling 911, he gave it back. The Houston Police Department arrived,
checked out the video and handcuffed the suspect.
Door-to-door magazine sales companies have been around for years.
They advertise in newspapers and magazines across the country, looking for employees,
promising them good money and a chance to see the country.
But activist Earlene Williams, who runs a help group called Parent Watch, claims she
receives a lot of complaints from their young workers.
“I am probably getting about 10 e-mails or phone calls a day,” she said. “Some from abandoned people,
some who want to leave — and some from parents trying to get their kids home.”
She says many call because they have no money to get home.
“The kids get a daily draw for food and it can be nothing to $20 a day,” Williams said.
“And they work 60 to 80 hours a week.”
“It was too good to be true,” a salesman, who didn’t want his identity revealed, said.
He traveled to Houston with the magazine crew and quit. He said his coworkers were doing drugs.
“On coke, crack,” he said.
He also said they all had criminal records and claims they continued their unlawful ways.
“They said they don’t hire felons, but they are all felons,” he said.
He said he watched his trainer break into a house.
“No one answered the door,” he said. “He went and jumped the fence, kicked in the back door.
…I left because I didn’t want no part of it.”
But not everyone agrees with his strong statements.
Searching, we came across Michelle, a salesperson from Detroit.
“Well I don’t want you guys just giving us a bad name,” she said. “I don’t know if you are
going to re-word my words, but I mean please don’t because this is what I am saying:
Our crew is a good crew.”
Michelle gave us her whole sales pitch.
While researching this topic, we can across stories of fatal drug overdoses, attacks, rape and
even murder, involving magazine sales crews.
But more than 20 years after a Senate investigation into the industry, they are still unregulated.
“The problem is, there are no laws protecting home owners from these people,” one resident said.
So the next time they come back to Houston, de La Garza said he’s going to warn all his neighbors.
Some who said they felt sorry for people like Michelle and placed an order said they’re
still waiting for their magazine.
Also online:
Watch Michelle's sales pitch
Related video: Raw video: 11 News reporter and photographer attacked, camera stolen
By Jeff McShan / 11 News
KHOU
khou.com
Houston, Texas
Read This Story
|
DMPG Research regarding the above article reveils:
Magazine Companys:
Integrity Sales/Integrity Program/
Prestige Sales USA
Persons of Interest:
Robert Spruiell
Karleen Hillery
Karleen Spruiell
Karleen Hillery Spruiell
Jonathan Tork
Diane Tork
WebSite:
Prestige Sales USA
Google Search: Prestige Sales LLC
Google Search: Prestige Sales USA
Google Search: Prestige Sales + Magazine
Google Search: Jonathan Tork + Magazine
Google Search: Diane Tork + Magazine
WHOIS.NET
Info on prestigesalesusa.com as of May 10, 2008
Domain name: prestigesalesusa.com
Registrant Contact:
Prestige Sales (SPRESTIGE65@YAHOO.COM)
+1.6029784710
Fax: +1.6029784710
PO Box 82430
Phoenix, AZ 85071
US
Administrative Contact:
Prestige Sales (SPRESTIGE65@YAHOO.COM)
+1.6029784710
Fax: +1.6029784710
PO Box 82430
Phoenix, AZ 85071
US
Technical Contact:
Prestige Sales (SPRESTIGE65@YAHOO.COM)
+1.6029784710
Fax: +1.6029784710
PO Box 82430
Phoenix, AZ 85071
US
Status: Active
Name Servers:
NS1.ACCUWEBHOSTING.BIZ
NS2.ACCUWEBHOSTING.BIZ
Creation date: 11 Dec 2007 18:54:01
Expiration date: 11 Dec 2010 18:54:01
Arizona Secretary of State:
File Number: L-1415655-1
Corp. Name: PRESTIGE SALES LLC
Domestic Address 24820 N 16TH AVE #110
PHOENIX, AZ 85085
Statutory Agent Information Agent Name: REGISTERED AGENT SOLUTIONS INC
Agent Mailing/Physical Address:
638 N FIFTH AVE
PHOENIX, AZ 85003
Agent Status: APPOINTED 12/17/2007
Agent Last Updated: 01/24/2008
Additional Incorporation Date: 12/17/2007 Corporate Life Period: PERPETUAL
Domicile: ARIZONA County: MARICOPA
Approval Date: 12/19/2007 Original Publish Date: 01/22/2008
Member Information ROBERT SPRUIELL
MEMBER
24820 N 16TH AVE #110
PHOENIX,AZ 85085
Date of Taking Office: 12/17/2007
Last Updated: 12/19/2007
----------------
Integrity Sales/Integrty Program:
Integrity Sales Website: integritysale.com
Integrity Program Website: integritypgm.com
Arizona Secretary of State Corporation/LLC Website:
Az. S.O.S. Corp/LCC
Arizona Secretary of State: Integrity Sales:
Integrity Sales
Nevada Secretary of State: Integrity Program:
Integrity Program
Criminal Profiles: Search For: Integrity Sales
Magazine Scams: Integrity Sales
Consumer Advocacy: Edumacation.com: Integrity Sales
BBB Report Phoenix, Az.: unsatisfactory
Rip Off Report: Integrity Sales
Magazine Company/Sales Crews as of 05/13/06:
Magazine Fulfillment Services - Operated by Robert Spruiell
Integrity Sales, Inc. - Operated by Robert Spruiell
Integrity Program, Inc.- Operated by Robert Spruiell
Circulation I - Operated by Karkeen Hillery
Circulation II - Operated by Karleen Hillery
SERVICES UNLIMITED PLUS - Operated by Karleen Hillery Spruiell/Robert Spruiell
National Community Clearing, INC - Operated by Karleen Hillery
TEAM X-TREME
DYNASTY SALES
POWERHOUSSE SALES
KAYS NATURALS - Karleen Hillery Crew
Kay's Naturals website: ournaturals.com
Crew Name: 029
Crew Name: 032
IP MARKETING
IMPACT PUBLICATIONS
Subscriptions Plus - Operated by Karleen Hillery
(old mag. company name - may be in use again)
Google Search: Karleen Hillery
Google Search: Karleen Spruiell
Google Search: Robert Spruiell
Integrity Sales is a Member of National Field Selling Association: nfsa.com
National Field Selling Association is a member of:
Magazine Publishers of America:
magazine.org
RIP-OFF Report.com
Integrity Sales ripoff
Phoenix Arizona *Consumer Comment ..New Info
Read This Rip-Off Report On Integrity Sales
Lookup: Karleen Hillery on Profiler:
Karleen Hillery Profile
Lookup: Karleen Hillery - Janesville Wisconsin Van Crash March 25, 1999
Karleen Hillery Profile
View Recent Criminal Activities of Karleen Hillery Spruiell:
Karleen Hillery Spruiell
(NOTE: for search on Arizona State Supreme Court Criminal Records
Enter: Last Name: Spruiell, First Name: Karleen in search box.
View Wisconsin DOJ Civil Lawsuit Against Karleen Hillery (case # 00-CV-0852)
State of Wisconsin V. Karleen Hillery
View Illinois Magazine Sales Fraud Lawsuit Against Karleen Hillery (case # 02-CH125)
State of Illinois V. Karleen Hillery
Note: The DMPG collects information from various sources:
police reports, court documents, media articles, and secretary of state websites.
The DMPG is not responsible for inaccurate data in any of the above sources of information.
Various company websites change over a period of time. Information and Links also change.
The DMPG cannot control this and for this reason cannot guarantee 100% accuracty of data.
If you have a question or find an error on this website please contact the DMPG WebMaster:
WebMaster
~or~ read the DMPG disclaimer:
DMPG Disclaimer
|
Lynchburg, Virginia
Door to Door Magazine Sales Scam !!!
May 1, 2008
Scam: Magazine Sales
ABC 13
WSET-TV
posted 11:41 pm Thu May 01, 2008
Across the ABC 13 Viewing Area
They go door to door selling magazine subscriptions but the Better Business Bureau
of Western Virginia says beware of one group. The BBB says Dedicated TurnAround is not a
registered charity as it claims.
The agency says many consumers are being tricked into buying hundreds of dollars worth of
magazines over several years. They say if someone comes to your door...ask to see a peddler's
license. And ask plenty of questions. Get the name and address of the person selling and then
contact the BBB for a reliability report.
If you do decide to buy, write a check to the company, not to the person. And never give cash.
ABC 13
WSET-TV
wset.com
Lynchburg, Virginia
Read This Story
|
Nashville, Tennessee
Door to Door Magazine Sales Scam !!!
May 1, 2008
Resident: Teens Involved In Magazine Scam
Magazine Company Goes Out Of Business
Reported By Catharyn Campbell
WSMV.com
POSTED: 8:55 am CDT May 1, 2008
UPDATED: 9:21 am CDT May 1, 2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A Bellevue woman said she was scammed by teenagers who were selling magazine
subscriptions door to door.
River Park Estates in Bellevue discourages solicitors, but when a young man came by
selling magazine subscriptions four months ago, some neighbors opened their hearts and their wallets.
"The young gentleman came to our house, knocked on our door asking us to help him out
because he's a troubled teen and wants to get back on track," said victim Terez Hoang.
She believed his story and let her 7-year-old daughter pick out a Disney magazine and paid
the teen $50 for the subscription.
"He's said he was being transported from state to state to raise enough money so he can
afford college tuition," said Hoang.
The receipt left behind said it could take 90 to 120 days for delivery, but that time has
past and she still has not received her magazine.
She called the company who is supposed to provide the service, Y and S magazine, but a
recording said "this number is no longer in service."
Hoang then called the number that the sales man left behind.
"The business card says the gentleman's name is Mario Hope. I dialed his cell phone
number but the gentleman that picked up the phone didn't claim him self as Mario," said Hoang.
When Hoang didn't get any answers, she did a little homework and logged onto the Better
Business Bureau's Web site. There she found out she wasn't the only person having problems with Y and S.
Forty-four people have filed complaints against the magazine company, all of which centered
on delivery, customer service or refund issues.
The Better Business Bureau also found that the Collierville, Tenn., based company has
gone out of business.
"It makes me leery. Do I want to support another solicitation like this next time?
Right now I'd say 100 percent, 'No,'" said Hoang.
She feels that the teenagers may also be victims and fears that the sales people are
doing the dirty work while the business owners collect money for unfilled orders.
The Better Business Bureau has told people who have unresolved issues with Y and S
magazine to seek legal advice.
Reported By Catharyn Campbell
WSMV
wsmv.com
Nashville, Tennessee
Read This Story
|
Nashville, Tennessee
Door to Door Magazine Sales Scam !!!
May 1, 2008
Resident Says Teens Involved In Magazine Scam
Catharyn Campbell
WSMV - Nashville, TN, USA
(5/1/08) - A Bellevue woman says she was scammed by teenagers who were
selling magazine subscriptions door-to-door.
Catharyn Campbell
WSMV
wsmv.com
Nashville, Tennessee
Watch Video
|
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Door to Door Magazine Sales Agents
May Face Death Penalty
April 29, 2008
DA seeking death penalty in couple’s murder
By: Reed Upton, KOB.com
KOB Eyewitness News 4
Posted at: 04/29/2008 11:07:19 AM
Updated at: 04/29/2008 11:13:27 AM
The District Attorney’s Office will be seeking the death penalty against two transient door-to-door
salesmen if they are convicted of the murder of an elderly Northeast Heights couple.
District Attorney Kari Brandenburg confirms to Eyewitness News 4 that her office has filed
notice with the court that there appear to be three mitigating circumstances that would
justify the death penalty for Travis Rowley and Michael Lee if the two are convicted of murder.
Rowley and Lee are accused of killing 69-year-old Pung Yi and her 79-year-old husband Tak
Yi in their home last December.
Officials have said that Rowley and Lee were robbing the Yi household when the killings occurred.
They allege that Pung Yi was also raped.
In a statement to police, Rowley said last December that he only wanted to sell a half-order
of magazines to the Yis when Lee decided to steal something from the home.
Rowley said he saw Lee punch and then kill both of his victims: Pung by suffocation and Tak
by stomping on his head.
The three mitigating circumstances that the DA’s office is citing are that the murder
happened during the commission of a felony, during a kidnapping and in order to prevent
the Yis from testifying.
Rowley and Lee were employed by a Nevada company selling magazine subscriptions door
to door when the killings occurred. They are being held at the Metropolitan Detention
Center in lieu of $2 million bond.
By: Reed Upton, KOB.com
KOB Eyewitness News 4
kob.com
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Read This Story
|
McMinnvile Police Department
Police Chief: Ron Noble
Press Release
McMinnvile Police Department Press Release
McMinnville Police Department
130 NE Baker Street
McMinnville, OR 97128
Business Office: 503-434-7307
Door to Door Salespeople arrested for various crimes throughout Yamhill County.
April 24th, 2008
Over the last few weeks, local law enforcement agencies have received multiple complaints regarding
the activities of a group of door to door salespeople operating in the Yamhill County and Willamette
Valley region. Many of the complaints have been overly aggressive sales practices, but some
of them have involved criminal activity including fraud, theft, and illegal drug activity.
Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office, Newberg-Dundee Police Department, McMinnville Police Department,
and Yamhill County Interagency Narcotics Team have all arrested individuals
from this group of salespeople. We are asking that residents of Yamhill County be aware
of the potential hazards involving some door to door salespeople. We would remind all
citizens that you have the right to tell someone to leave your property and you are under no
obligation to allow them into your residence. If a salesperson either refuses to leave your
property or is acting in such a manner as to scare or intimidate someone, please call your
local law enforcement agency for assistance.
According to Oregon DOJ, consumers who were coerced into buying product at the door
from these salespersons, and have been unable to rescind the purchase up to three
days following the sale, should call the Attorney General’s consumer hotline at
1-877-877-9392 to file a complaint. Consumers also may file a complaint electronically
at www.doj.state.or.us. More information about consumers’ rights in door-to-door
transactions can be found at that same website under consumer protection.
Yamhill County Activities:
Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office has received numerous complaints on the
aggressive sales activities of these door to door salespeople. On April 17th, 2008,
they cited Derrick Terrell Toliver DOB 12/7/1978 for soliciting without a permit in Sheridan.
This person was later arrested for drug activity in McMinnville.
Anyone with questions or information regarding incidents involving door to door
salespeople in rural Yamhill County and the cities of Sheridan, Willamina,
Lafayette, and Dayton may call Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office at 503-434-7506.
Newberg-Dundee Activities:
The Newberg-Dundee Police Department has received over a dozen calls regarding the
door to door sales people since March 23. Officers initially gave verbal
warnings for the activities. Since early April, six citations for door to door sales
without a permit have been issued.
Wednesday, April 23, in Dundee: Gary Wendell Phillips, Jr. 19, of Lansing, Michigan.
Thursday, April 10, in Newberg: Duante Jamal Harrison, 22, of Detroit Michigan, and Arnold
Nathaniel Jones, 30, Wilmington, Delaware.
Tuesday, April 8, in Newberg: Donell Mondelle Tyson, 21, East St. Louis, Illinois.
Tuesday, March 25, in Newberg: Quincy Lamar Haynie, 20, Portland, and Brandon P. Bruer, 21,
Vancouver, WA.
Most of the officer contacts and citations are for those allegedly staying with the
larger group of salespeople in McMinnville area motels. Officers met the men in residential
neighborhoods after citizens called police regarding the salespeople’s overly aggressive approaches.
In some cases, officers receipted and confiscated the books and sample bottles of
cleaning products offered by the salespeople. Anyone with questions or information
regarding incidents involving door to door salespeople in Newberg or Dundee
may call Newberg-Dundee Police Department at 503-538-8321.
McMinnville Activities:
McMinnville Police arrested Shaquanna L Johnson DOB: 4/21/1985, of Fort Lauderdale,
Florida on April 18th, 2008 after she stole a checkbook from a residence she was
visiting as a door to door salesperson and forged several checks from that checkbook.
She was lodged in jail pending arraignment for the following charges:
• Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument 2 SRA $5,000.00
• Forgery 2 SRA $5,000.00
• Theft 2 SRA $5,000.00
McMinnville Police arrested Angela Louise Jones DOB 1/20/1988, of Detroit, Michigan and
Christopher David Goike DOB 09/22/1985, of Detroit, Michigan on April 23rd, 2008
after they attempted to use false names to obtain medical care and medications at
Willamette Valley Medical Center. They were both lodged in jail pending arraignment
for the following charge:
• Identity Theft SRA $5,000.00
Anyone with questions or information regarding incidents involving door to
door salespeople in McMinnville may call McMinnville Police Department at 503-434-7307.
Narcotics Activities:
Yamhill County Interagency Narcotics Team arrested Derrick Terrell Toliver,
DOB 12/7/1978, Black/Male/Adult, Unknown residence in Illinois – but staying
at the Paragon Motel, in the Carl’s Jr parking lot on April 23rd, 2008 at approx
2215 hrs after he sold a quantity of marijuana to an undercover police officer.
He was lodged in jail pending arraignment on the following charges:
• Possession of a controlled Substance - Marijuana within 1000 ft of a school (SRA) $2500
• Delivery of a controlled Substance - Marijuana (SRA) $10,000
• Delivery of a controlled substance - Marijuana within 1000 ft of a school (SRA) $20,000
YCINT was assisted in this operation by McMinnville Police Department and Yamhill
County Sheriffs Office. Anyone with questions or information regarding drug activity
involving door to door salespeople in the Yamhill County area may call YCINT at 503-472-6565.
Oregon Department of Justice:
Over the years, Oregon DOJ has received complaints regarding aggressive sales
tactics by similar groups of salespeople. They are continuing to investigate
this company and its operators and would appreciate contact from citizens
who have experienced problems with this group selling a
cleaning product identified as “Advanage.”
For anyone with questions or information for Oregon DOJ, please call 877-877-9393.
Captain Dennis Marks
Field Operations Commander
McMinnville Police Department
(503)-435-5611
Sergeant Dwayne Willis
Yamhill County Interagency Narcotics Team
(503)-472-6565
Jan Margosian – Media Contact Only
Sergeant Tim Weaver
Public Information Officer
Newberg-Dundee Police Department
(503) 538-8321
Captain Ken Summers
Patrol Commander
Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office
(503)-434-4950
Public Information Officer
Oregon Department of Justice
(503) 947-4333
McMinnvile Police Department Press Release
|
D.M.P.G. Info Clip
April 27, 2008
McMinnville Police Department
McMinnville Police Department
Oregon Department of Justice
Oregon Department of Justice
DMPG research reveils the above company to be T&B Sales. T&B Sales is a door to door sales crew/distributor for Austin Diversified
Products, Inc.. ADVANAGE Wonder Cleaner Clear, Purple and USAdvanage Citrus Wonder Degreaser are cleaner
products manufactured by Austin Diversified Products, Inc.. These products are sold on the world wide web at:
advanage.com. These products are also sold by door to door sales crews as the above article demonstrates.
Further investigation into Austin Diversified Products, Inc. reveals the owner of this company as one Nathan
Edwards. Continued investigation reveals Nathan Edwards to be the former president of The National Field Selling Association - NFSA.
Austin Diversified Products:
Austin Diversified Products
National Field Selling Association:
National Field Selling Association
Company Contact Information:
Austin Diversified Products, Inc.
16615 S. Halsted Street
Harvey, IL 60426
email: inquiry@advanage.com
phone: (800) 323-6444
T & B Sales
Timothy Burgess
8405 Avalon Drive
Riverdale, GA 30274
Phone (800)323-6444
Additional Information on T&B and Austin Diversified Products:
Milton, Wisconsin
Rip Off Report T&B Sales:
T&B Rip Off Repport
Research Austin Diversified Products on the Criminal Profiler:
Criminal Profiler
Austin Diversified Products Documented Crimes:
Documented Crimes
Google Search: "T&B Sales":
"T&B Sales"
Google Search: "Austin Diversified Products":
"Austin Diversified Products"
Google Search: "Nathan Edwards":
"Nathan Edwards"
Google Search: "Timothy Burgess":
"Timothy Burgess"
|
|
Hoschton, Georgia
Door to Door Magazine Sales Fraud !!!
April 23, 2008
Hoschton
Fraud scam reported in neighborhood, two arrested
The Braselton News
Vol. 4 No. 1
A publication of MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
BraseltonNews.com BarrowJournal.com
Wednesday April 23, 2008
Hoschton police arrested two people last week
tied to a door-to-door sales scam.
Police said they received complaints of door-todoor
salesmen asking residents in the Deer Creek
Farms subdivision to purchase books to allow the
suspect to attend cooking school.
Residents told police they were asked buy a $49
book, of which $20 would benefit the suspect’s
culinary career and $19 would go to a children’s
hospital.
The residents were given different stories about
how the suspects planned to use the money and
he provided the names of several local residents
and streets while pitching his story, according to
an incident report.
Three residents wrote checks ranging from $29
to $98 to the suspects. All three victims later notified
their banks and placed a stop payment on the
checks, police said.
While later handing fliers to residents about the
sales pitches, an officer was told by a resident that
one of the suspects was in the neighborhood.
The suspect, later identified as Patrick Mitchell
Hill, 25, of Peoria, Ariz., gave the officer his
name. The man had several warrants in Florida
for failure to appear related to a burglary charge,
grand theft and possession of marijuana. Hill also
went by three alias names, police said.
Florida law enforcement officers asked
Hoschton police to detain Hill. Hoschton police
also charged him with theft by deception. He was
taken to the Jackson County Jail.
Also during the week, police had stopped a
vehicle during a traffic stop that was later tied to
the incidents. Police later contacted the vehicle’s
driver, who cooperated with police and brought
another suspect to the police department.
That subject, Shawn M. Battreall, 21, of Cape
Canaveral, Fla., was charged with theft by deception.
Police said he is one of the suspects tied to
the door-to-door sales scam.
Read PDF: The Braselton News Vol. 4 No. 1
The Braselton News
braseltonnews.com
Braselton, Georgia
Read This Story
|
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Door to Door Magazine Sales Agents Arrested !!!
April 23, 2008
The Daily Tar Heel
Police Log
Issue date: 4/23/08 Section: City
Three people employed by Dedicated Turnaround were arrested Monday for selling magazine
subscriptions without a permit, according to Chapel Hill police reports.
Leonard Nelson Avery III, 22, of Clayton, and Vandeara Shawnta Faulkner, 20, of
Durham, were arrested at 509 Perry Creek Drive, reports state.
Rodney Louis Frederick, 42, of Charlotte, was arrested at 2:46 p.m. at Sweeten Creek
Road and Toynbee Place, according to reports.
All three face misdemeanor charges of soliciting without a permit, according to reports.
All three are scheduled to appear in court May 19, reports state.
The Daily Tar Heel
media.www.dailytarheel.com
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Read This Story
|
Westport, Connecticut
Door to Door Magazine Sales Alert !!!
April 23, 2008
Police Log
Police Reports
By: Staff Writers
Westport Minuteman
WestportMinuteman.com
Westport, CT
04/24/2008
Angelo Stevenson, 25, of Chicago, Illinois, was charged with a failure to pay or plead.
On Friday, around 6:45 p.m., a homeowner near Broad Street and Newtown Turnpike told
police that a man was selling magazine subscriptions and that he was belligerent when
asked to leave. Officers found the man, Stevenson, and when talking to him, determined
that he was wanted in Stratford for a failure to pay or plead to an infraction. He was
arrested by Westport police through the Paperless Rearrest Warrant Network.
By: Staff Writers
Westport Minuteman
WestportMinuteman.com
zwire.com
Westport, Connecticut
Read This Story
|
Claremont, California
Ordinance To Regulate
Door to Door Sales !!!
April 23, 2008
Claremont takes tough stand
City takes strict measures with commercial solicitors
Will Bigham, Staff Writer
Daily Bulletin
Article Created: 04/23/2008 09:26:35 PM PDT
CLAREMONT - An ordinance placing tough regulations on door-to-door solicitors
working in the city was passed unanimously Tuesday night by the City Council.
The law, characterized by city officials as one of the toughest of its kind in the nation,
was in response to two rapes committed by door-to-door magazine salesmen in the last year and
a half, officials said.
For commercial solicitors - those going door to door selling goods - each salesman
must undergo a background check and be issued an ID card from the city.
All solicitors - both commercial and noncommercial - must obtain a permit from the
city before going door to door.
The new law also establishes a "do not knock" registry that allows residents to sign
up requesting that solicitors stop visiting their homes.
A different version of the ordinance had been unenforceable since 2002 because it was overly broad.
It required all people going door to door to obtain a permit, even if the visit
was for purely religious or political purposes.
Laws such as Claremont's were deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2002.
Claremont police Capt. Gary Jenkins, who did much of the work crafting the ordinance,
said the city's new law could become a model for other cities because it has some
of the toughest provisions but still passes legal muster.
Those walking door to door for political or religious reasons are exempt from the new ordinance.
The ordinance only applies to those seeking money or any other material contributions,
including nonprofit and school groups.
will.bigham@inlandnewspapers.com
(909) 483-8553
Will Bigham, Staff Writer
Daily Bulletin
dailybulletin.com
Claremont, California
Read This Story
|
Port orchard, Washington
Magazine Sales Scam Alert !!!
April 22, 2008
PO Police Seek Information on Possible Scam Artist
` Kitsap Sun staff
Kitsap Sun
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Port orchard
The Port Orchard Police Department is seeking more information on a man whose suspicious
behavior led city merchants to believe he was a scam artist.
The man visited several businesses on April 18, claiming to sell magazines to benefit a
youth organization, according to police Commander Geoffrey Marti. When merchants
questioned him, the man became "obnoxious," Marti said.
The police didn't learn of the man's behavior until after the fact, so they were unable
to question him, Marti said.
A man using the same name as the magazine salesman was recently reported to be visiting
businesses on Bainbridge Island. He claimed to be a travel writer and asked for free
materials. Port Orchard merchants were alerted to the alleged Bainbridge scam artist
from an e-mail from the Kitsap Peninsula Visitor and Convention Bureau.
Marti said there is no hard evidence that the two men are the same person,
but he said it is likely. The man who was in Port Orchard is described as a
white male with long blond hair.
Port Orchard police officers are urging merchants to be cautious and report any suspicious
behavior immediately by calling 911.
"It is helpful if we can properly identify them even if they are only 'suspicious'
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