Three Stars Media — Frivolous Copyright Complaint
Three Stars Media, also know under the name Three Stars Team, Three Stars and quite a few others, sent a ridiculous legal threat to my blog provider hoping to get it shut down:
___________________________________
Date: Thu, 5 Mar 2009 15:28:43 -0500
From: Cxxx <[protected]@medialogicteam.com>
I am the public relations director for Three Stars Media, a U.S. based company. Currently, there’s a blog site recently added to your service that violates our copyright by including the company’s name in its title and web address:
http://threestarsmedia.blogg.se/
I’d appreciate it if you would remove this blog from your servers to prevent any further infringement upon our legal copyrighted name, Three Stars Media.
Thank you.
Cxxx Xxxxx
Public Relations Director
Media Logic, Inc.
A Three Stars Media Company
___________________________________
They have a long history of such complaints and I find this attempt to stifle free speech reprehensible. Their accusation is quite ridiculous as copyright does not apply to situations like these, of course you have to be able to use a company's name in order to criticize it.
Internet Company BOUGHT out Three Stars Media? They ARE Three Stars Media. Just look at the corporate team picture on EACH company's website.
http://internet-company.com/teams/corpTeams.cfm?dept=1
http://threestarsinc.com/teams/corpTeams.cfm?dept=1
What'd they do, buy the executive staff along with the business?
Thank you all for your postings. You saved me the hassle of finding someone to watch my daughter while I attended this fake interview. I too was looking forward to interviewing for Admin. Asst. or HR Asst. but it looks as though I was ALMOST dooped. I found it odd that nowhere on the Internet Company's website was a telephone number or address, that's the only reason I went hunting for a possible scam. I guess for the people who actually DO work there, the free happy hour and flag football are worth working for a company that tricks people for a living. Hope they're all happy with themselves.
a verified customer
I first had an interview with Three Stars Media May in 2009. The interview was suppose to be for a Human Resource Assistant. However, once they get you in the door they give you this big presentation and tell you if your picked you will start working from home as a customer call representative. By the way during that presentation we were introduced to the Human Resource/Administrative Assistant!! Because I needed a job and I didn't look into the company as well as I should have, I took the job for a week.
After making calls for a day, they conveniently moved you up and gave us a new speech to read. This new dialogue had us telling the "prospective employees" we were calling that their information we are collecting looks good for the job they applied to on employee select. Who am I to say that to people desperately looking for a job? Once I started looking into the company and found all the complaints online, I quit. And yes, the company has an F rating with the BBB.
Now I will get to the real reason I am writing.
This week I came across and applied to two jobs: Administrative Assistant and Human Resource Assistant with the Internet Company. I received an e-mail back from the company and applied directly to their website. Once you fill out your information and attach a resume you can automatically set up an interview. Only then you will get an address and directions.
Once this was done, I started looking for information on The Internet Company. I couldn't find any so I went back on the BBB and looked up Three Stars Media. They have several names and now go by the Internet Company. I called the phone number that was in the reminder interview e-mail and the person answering the phones said The Internet Company bought out Three Stars Media. I don't believe it. I think they just go by several names. I also asked about the interview I had for a Human Resource Assistant and she said the interview is for the at home customer phone rep. position--again!! I then canceled the interview.
I just wanted everyone to know that Three Stars Media is up to the same thing again but now also using The Internet Company name. I hope this helps other people before they get pulled into that company.
Katnn23,
I was able to read some of your articles and I think you're doing fine.
I understand you turned down the offer to work at Three Stars Media "for the good reasons", but I am confident that you'll be hired at a decent company one day and do an excellent job.
Hang in there kay!
a verified customer
Hey Trip honey, you don't sound like a person at all. You sound like a paid shill.
Hey Kat honey, you don't sound like a journalist at all.
I went to the FL attorney general about an interview that i had scheduled with this company. I was hoping that there were already complaints filed but they did not seen too interested. Is there any other agencies to expose these fraudulent companies?
Central Florida is infested with them! I would like to see more of these companies exposed and would love to work for a company that does just that.
a verified customer
katnnc23, if you are worried about being questioned you really should be very careful what you say about Three Stars. They have many nasty ways of silencing people, a while ago the same people running a different company (Internet Solutions Corporation) launched several SLAPP lawsuits against bloggers, site owners etc... for criticizing them.
http://www.citmedialaw.org/threats/internet-solutions-v-marshall
http://www.citmedialaw.org/threats/difrawi-v-garga-richardson-lawsuit
http://www.citmedialaw.org/threats/internet-solutions-v-garga-richardson-2nd-lawsuit
http://www.citmedialaw.org/threats/internet-solutions-v-garga-richardson-3rd-lawsuit
http://www.citmedialaw.org/threats/difrawi-v-henderson
My blog mentioned above is dead, some more info that could at least be a starting point for more research is here:
http://www.nowpublic.com/tech-biz/three-stars-media-new-name-same-scheme
I'm sorry, Stability. I probably over-reacted. As a journalist, I defend myself and my practices every day. It's not often that people are genuinely inquisitve about the work we do. It gets pretty stressful when people constantly question me. But it's important to inform the public with the best information I can get, so I do it.
Sorry, I just realized how dramatic that sounded. haha. Sometimes it's the only thing that keeps me going, though.
Katnn23,
I'm glad you thought postive about WFTV. I understand what you would like to do. And no need to get defensive ~ I didn't realize I was attacking you. As you have questions for people, I had questions for you. And I agree ~ Is it so wrong to have questions?
It'd be nice if you'd stop interrogating me. Truthfully, I think that WFTV was correct. I think Todd Ulrich did an incredible job. As I said, the only think I felt was missing was that there weren't interviews from any CURRENT employees. I mean, are there so many people willing to do a job that they think is wrong? Because they have to employ SOMEBODY. The receptionist, the sellers, the verification reps. But as I said, no one reported about this company over in Tampa Bay. Obviously, as someone to drove to Orlando for the interview, this isn't just Central Florida news. As a journalist, of course I trust Ulrich, but there's this thing where you do research for your own articles. You know an honesty and integrity thing. I wanted to dig a little deeper, get a few more details than just, "there are no jobs." How could you be against that?
This entire time you've treated me like I'm attacking the WFTV report when I'm trying to write my own article completely. You don't have to defend Action News of Ulrich. I think they did a great job. Is it so wrong to have questions?
Katnn23,
When you stated that you hope the truth will surface, does this mean you have doubts? Todd Ulrich is a good journalist and reporter for Channel 9 Action News. If he wanted to interview an individual, I'm sure he could be trusted. Perhaps you would like to interview him? Surely you know that there is an on going investigation because of the numerous complaints.
Mostly, I want to know what the people who are currently employeed think. I mean, if they work there, do they feel guilty? Do they like their job? WFTV talked to mostly former employees and I'm sure there's something legal against asking current employees, but I'm curious.
Confidentiality, obviously, might be a concern.
Stability,
I had more questions about the interview process, since I never completed it. I also wanted to know a few more details about the verification representative position. I just felt like the news report could have been a little more detailed. I'm sure they had all that info, but broadcast news tends to cut things short.
Not to mention, nothing ran over in Tampa Bay.
I got an email from Three Stars requesting me to apply. My blog is here: http://katherineclement.wordpress.com/2009/07/07/kicking-job-seekers-while-theyre-down/
Oh, and I'm not only interviewing the interviewees. I'm looking for previous and current employees - I don't think WFTV talked to any current employees. I'll also interview people who've been "verified" by three stars. I'm going to talk to the police and hopefully Difrawi. I've already requested an interview with the people at Three Stars.
Unfortunately, I'm not omniscient. The only thing I can do is interview everyone involved in this scheme - and as many of them as possible - and hope that the truth will surface. That's all any journalist can do.
To katnc24,
With all due respect, I read your comment posted on wftv and I am a bit confused with some of your questions regarding Three Stars.
I believe comments and documented legal reports by a lot of people should have already answered some of those questions. As you have mentioned, you want an objective report and not hearsay but would you not be getting hearsay when interviewing these people?
Where did you apply for a copywriter position and how can I comment on your blog?
Hi, anyone (duped too!) willing to let me interview them about their experience? Duped, I know you wrote detailed description, but I'd much rather talk to you in person or on the phone. You commented on my blog - I'm a journalist, obviously. I applied for a copywriter position, of course. I'd like to interview people who did all three interviews and PARTICULARLY past employees. Please. I'm also going to interview the police department - hopefully someone who has previously arrested Difrawi.
I'd really appreaciate it, thank you.
My email (well, one of my emails, this is the one that I allow all the junk from scanbots to go to): [email protected] Once you reply, I'll email you from my gmail account.
Thanks guys.
a verified customer
Here are some links for anyone interested in that:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RN-MfY9EUE
http://www.wftv.com/action9/19970193/detail.html
Great job and I'm really happy to see this. I'm a bit surprised they didn't mention their exposing of the predecessor to Three Stars, though they did mention some of Difrawi's previous shady dealings. In the article they're called "3 Stars Media" but just like Difrawi his companies go under many names, maybe that's the new one they're switching to.
On Monday, July 6th at 6:00 pm, Three Stars Media was on the Channel 9 Action News. They are investigating the complaints and have interviewed a previous employee who came forward with the truth. She stated that the "Human Resources Assistant position" did not exist and that Three Stars was "sucking you in to sell something".
I wonder if Three Stars also sent a legal threat to Channel 9 for exposing the company' s operation on live TV. Although it was a great success by broadcasting it (& showing the man responsible and him being interviewed infront of the Metrowest Building), I believe there should be more exposure of this company's bad operation and also more people should also contact the BBB.
Thanks to the previous employee who had told the truth and thanks to Channel 9 Action News for airing it on TV. I'm sure all job seekers are grateful to you Todd. Well done...
This company is a SCAM. Please file a complaint with the FBI "Internet Crime Complaint Center" at
http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx
My Three Stars SCAM experience
I recently went for two interviews at Three Stars Media and this was my experience. I am hoping someone closes this company down !! It's hard enough to find a job in this market but when you get scammed like this, it becomes VERY demoralizing.
I applied for TWO jobs on CareerBuilder.com : Administrative Assistant and Human Resources Assistant.
Click here to see the actual postings as they appeared on Careerbuilder.com : http://i44.tinypic.com/11rrxa9.jpg and http://i39.tinypic.com/jj5qgy.jpg . NOTE: CLICK the pics to make the image larger to be able to read it. This applies for all future photo links.
I received and automated e-mail back from Three Stars, Inc. the next day requesting to set up an "initial interview" : http://i42.tinypic.com/s4t6br.jpg .
I went to the website and registered for an initial interview. The ENTIRE interview set up process was automated.
I received a confirmation e-mail for the "initial interview" : http://i41.tinypic.com/6hi88n.jpg .
And a reminder e-mail : http://i43.tinypic.com/wbz5mp.jpg . This reminding cements the thinking that the job interview is important. They want to make sure you show up.
I put the words "initial interview" in quotes above because there was NO interview on my first visit to Three Stars. Here is how the first visit played out.
I arrived at Suite 211 and the receptionist asked for my resume. She then handed me a white binder with laminated pages to view information for a "Verification Specialist". I quickly paged through this booklet because I already knew what was coming next. I have to admit, I didn't pay attention much to the laminated pages because I had a friend who interviewed a few weeks prior for a Sales Manager position and she told me the first interview was just an assessment test.
After flipping through the laminated booklet, I then handed the book back to the receptionist. She told me I needed to take an assessment test (I think the binder info alluded to this too) and she told me she needed to take a picture of me as they "have so many people coming through their doors" and needed to take the photo for "identification purposes". I complied and let her snap my photo. She then guided me through a door opening to a room with several computers and little cubicles dividing the individuals taking the test. She opened the test on a PC, told me I had 30 mins. to take it and she told me I could use a calculator and she opened the calculator on the desktop. She told me to log in to take the test using my e-mail address and my last name. I then saw all my person info (name, address, etc. as well as the pic she just snapped of me) and then was taken to the test. I don't remember all the questions but I found a few questions quite odd. One asked "Are you over 24 years of age? " another asked (not sure of exact wording) "We have part time work at home positions for individuals. Would you be interested in this position or would you like to stick with the position you applied for?" I selected to stick with my current job I applied for. And there were some questions on advertising: "What are advertising verticals?", "What are five of the top 100 Internet websites?". There was also three vocabulary questions (the only one I remember was the meaning of the word "CONVERGE", there were two other vocab words used in sentences, I can't remember, something about Freud). There were also some Math questions. From memory, I think there were three in total, two word problems (one something about cutting a piece of wood into three pieces and the other was an algebra question, I think it was "2x - 4 = 6") and another odd question was "If you knew you would be fired for admitting a mistake would you lie to save your job?" . There were other questions on the test but these certain questions stood out to me.
I left the computer room and the receptionist handed me a business card (http://i44.tinypic.com/p7vus.jpg ) and told me to log on to their website with my e-mail address and last name after 10am the next day to check my application status :
When I logged on the next morning the website had a message (after I logged in) showing that my "aptitude test was impressive" and they wanted to meet with me for a second interview. I scheduled the second interview and got another confirmation e-mail : http://i40.tinypic.com/97440m.jpg .
And again, another reminder e-mail for the second interview : http://i43.tinypic.com/30cuc8o.jpg . They really wanted to make sure I showed up !
I arrived for my second interview at Suite 217 and walked into a foyer with dark lighting and no one to greet me. I saw a big conference table with better lighting and big leather chairs and a projector. I sat down next to two women who were waiting for their "interview". One of the women asked me "what are we doing here? What's going to go on I wonder ?" - the both laughed nervously. I told her that first we would get a presentation, then tour, then have individual interviews. This was the experience of my friend. In reality, I misunderstood my friend - there was no individual interview after the tour, it was a group interview telling everyone that they would be getting a phone call if they were interested. Again, my friend when there for a sales job, NOT the jobs I had applied to for Admin Asst. and Human Resources Asst.
Eventually, more people filtered in. We had 10 in our meeting. A woman named Crissy W (WAH Advisor Regional Manager - according to their website. Go to http://threestarsinc.com/teams/corpTeams.cfm?dept=9 and click on the little girl being hugged by Mickey Mouse to see her pic and info) was our cheerleader for the next couple of hours. She first asked us to go around the room and introduce ourselves. She then told us about herself (she was a dancer and worked at Disney, although that didn't pay the bills and then she spoke about the company. Started in 2004, now has over 500 employees and also a team in India. She explained the role of the Verification Specialist and explained that they don't show the job name in their listings online because "no one would know what that job is and no one would apply for it". So she admits up front that the jobs that brought all of us in DID NOT EXIST, but not in those exact words. My Human Resources Assistant and Administrative Assistant jobs were not real open jobs at the company! We were told that Three Stars also had a website called "Career Network" and that they are going after Monster.com and Careerbuilder.com. She said that it costs a company $ 400 to post a job on those websites while their Career Network offers postings for only $ 99 and they initially started out by posting those ads for FREE in the beginning. She also showed up a clip on News Channel 13 where the company donated toys for charity (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxXZd0u0dOE&feature=channel_page ) and talked up how they give back to the community. She also talked about their free happy hour, dinners at the Executive Managers house, and their co-ed flag football (http://threestarsinc.com/fun/eventsIndex.cfm ) . She then proceeded to give us a tour of the company. We all piled in the elevator and headed up to the 4th floor (from the 2nd floor) and first toured an office of people posting jobs on Craigslist and other websites, according to Crissy. The workers pretty much ignored us, except for one guy who watched the whole show. All of us idiots, in suits, all there for fake jobs. I could only think as I saw them sitting at their desks that these people were creating the same fake jobs that brought us in. Crissy said they were creating jobs from "their business clients". We were then lead to Human Resources and introduced to a manager named Dahlia who told us she has been with the company 7 months and LOVES it. She told us that "it's a long interview process, but stick with it" and she wished us all good luck.
Next up was the division that we saw the people in action who were Verification Specialists. Basically an auto dialing system will call applicants to tell them that they need to verify information for a job they applied for. When they call back, they go to this department. These people follow a script, verify certain info and then plug at the end to try and sell school admissions. For some reason a select few people work here vs. the at home position we were offered at the end of the interview. See below.
Next we walked into the webmaster division. First Crissy proceeded to flirt with Darvin K. - Director of Operations - as he showed her a photo that they laughed over, then we were introduced to Kelly R. - Executive Vice President (http://threestarsinc.com/teams/corpTeams.cfm?dept=1) and were told that she was the third person hired at the company when it was created out of someone's apartment. Kelly was wearing a flag football jersey. She explained the department was broken down into four departments. I can't remember all but one to come up with design ideas for a website, one to create the website, one to "break it" - quality control, and then it was released. Crissy proudly told us that Kelly created MANY websites. We were then lead to the next department "Employer Services" and met Scott D. - Career Network Director (http://threestarsinc.com/teams/corpTeams.cfm?dept=7 ) . We heard him give his spiel. He basically stated that he talks to companies to find out more about the jobs to make sure they post the correct information to get a qualified individual and also to make sure that there employees ask the right questions when they do their verification to pre-qualify candidates for companies. A good story anyway.
Next up, we met Ben D. - Senior Business Analyst (http://threestarsinc.com/teams/corpTeams.cfm?dept=1) . Ben told us that he handles SEO and making sure that the websites they create show up in the featured listings on search engines like Google and Yahoo!.
Lastly, we met Matt A. - WAH Advisor Regional Manager (http://threestarsinc.com/teams/corpTeams.cfm?dept=9 ), who was located in Suite 211 in the back offices, behind the computer testing area, who told us what a great company they had because one woman (can't recall her name) had a Mother that fell ill and she needed to move back up North (New Jersey I think?) and how great the company was because even though the woman had to move away she was still able to log on to a computer up there at 9am in NJ the following Monday and continue working. He said they had many employees talking about how expensive gas was and they realized it was a GREAT idea for their employees to work out of the home. Matt was planting the seed here.
And then we were lead across the hall again to Suite 217 and back to the conference room. Crissy's tone TOTALLY changed. No longer a cheerleader and full of friendly energy, she was somber and matter of fact. We were then given two hand outs : one detailing the job outline for the Verification Specialist : and the other for the computer requirements to work at home and the script for the education spiel : . Crissy told us that training started us at $ 10 per hour and we could earn extra money from there, depending on how many people said YES to wanting more information on signing up for education. She claimed she made $ 600 in her first week. She said they like for you to receive 80 -100 calls a day but the record was 150 calls in one day. She estimated that in 15 minutes at least TWO people would say YES to wanting more information about education. She said we were not to push the education, only plant the seed, mentioning it twice, the second time to confirm it. She said they only wanted people who were serious about signing up for classes. She then told us that she realized this job - Verification Specialist - was not for everyone. If we didn't think it was something we'd be interested in, we could leave now. Otherwise stay behind and she left the room to "get paperwork". Everyone was like a deer in the headlights. No one moved. She came back and then asked "ok, we have openings for tomorrow for the phone interview, who is available tomorrow ?" So then, with the peer pressure of everyone watching, she proceeded to ask everyone. Many set up times, signing up by stating the time and then telling Crissy their First name and last initial. One person said "Well, can I have some time to think about it?" "Of course!" - Crissy replied. That was a snowball effect then. Others said they too wanted to think about it.
Here are links to view the Verification Specialist handout : http://i44.tinypic.com/2ishbm8.jpg, http://i39.tinypic.com/wbz5w5.jpg, http://i44.tinypic.com/23rtx8y.jpg, and http://i39.tinypic.com/1y7h8o.jpg .
Here are links to view the Computer requirements and the Education script : http://i44.tinypic.com/1zpqst5.jpg, http://i44.tinypic.com/15x71qp.jpg and http://i41.tinypic.com/n3kht0.jpg . This was what was to be covered in the phone interview. They wanted to hear you read the script and make sure your home did not have background distractions like "a baby crying or dog barking".
I realize this is lengthy but I wanted to give you all a firsthand account for what the Three Stars interviews entail so you don't have to waste your time like I did. If you want work at home job that pays $ 10 an hour plus commissions for planting a seed for education, then this job is for you. It's just a shame they scam, as they say "600 people a week walk through our doors", into thinking they are on REAL interviews for jobs they applied for online, only to learn it's a telemarketing work at home position instead.
Does Three Stars offer job s? YES, but ONLY the Work at Home "Verification Specialist". NOT the jobs that were posted online. Here is a listing of ALL the jobs supposedly available on the Three Stars website : http://threestarsinc.com/careers/jobIndex.cfm?type=1 . The jobs were the SAME, none were "filled" from the time frame that my friend applied weeks prior. Now I know it's because they simply DO NOT EXIST.
Their claim is that once you master the Verification Specialist job they then like to move you up in the company, depending on what areas you would be best suited for. I wonder how many people are actually moved up. Of course Crissy said she started out (7 months ago, oddly the SAME time Dahlia started with the company) in the Verification Specialist position and worked her way up. Oh and Crissy did tell us all that we did really well on the aptitude test, we were the best of the best, which I now know is a load of bull. The whole thing was a HUGE sales pitch. They made the place look like a fun, young, energetic place to work..and hey ! They even give to charities ! How could they be bad. Forget that that LIED to us to get us all in there in the first place ! I found it odd though that most of the offices did not have fluorescent overhead lights...only desk lamps. All offices were decorated very attractively. Staging here was key. Another odd thing ? NONE of the suites had the "Three Stars" name on the nameplates...which was odd because ALL the other offices DID show their names on the nameplate with the Suite number. Their suites simply had the suite number listed on the nameplate.
I just saw on the news today that Channel 9 News WFTV will be showing ANOTHER piece on Three Stars and their false job listings. They even show footage, the room that had the Verification Specialists/Education Counselors in it. Should be interesting to watch. http://www.wftv.com/
Lastly, as I mentioned, my friend also went through this process. Why on earth would I want to go through this? Well, she again went for a Sales Manager position and her second interview included info about the company, the company tour, but then also a pitch to the individuals on the interview to partake in a website called Monkey Jar (http://www.monkeyjar.com/ ) where you create your own "online mall" and you make money supposedly if your friends shop your "mall" by clicking the links to visit the store websites. Interestingly enough, if you click the "About Us" link on Monkey Jar you will see cartoon caricatures of both Kelly and Darvin from Three Stars. So I went on this interview to see how well I would do on the aptitude test and to see if I would do well enough to get the second interview. My friend who went for her Sales Manager second interview was told if they were interested in her they would call her. It makes me wonder what Three Stars got out of her second interview. Maybe advertising to get people to use the Monkey Jar website. Or maybe the whole thing is just a scam to get our personal info : they have our home address, work numbers, employment history, aptitude ratings, heck even a photo of us - that they can use to sell to marketing companies. Here is info about this take on the whole scheme : http://www.nowpublic.com/tech-biz/three-stars-media-new-name-same-scheme . I know this is long, but I hope it helps others from going through this.
Early on in my search, I also received these two e-mail (and many more - too many to post) from Career Network which I now know is also Three Stars : http://i41.tinypic.com/xqgaw3.jpg and http://i39.tinypic.com/2rgjm2o.jpg . I did not like the fact that the company name and phone number were not listed. I e-mailed back asking for this information and did not receive a response. I think these e-mails were generated off jobs I applied for on Craigslist.com. Once you click the link for the fake tech support job you are brought to this website: http://perfectcareercenter.com/JobOffer/Register.cfm?JobPositionID=92050 . Notice the questions at the bottom regarding education. You guessed it...this is so a Three Stars work at home Verification Rep. can call you back and ask if you are interested in furthering your education. The website is called : perfectcareercenter.com but if you click the about us link it shows that this is Three Stars. So when you search for a job online today you have NO IDEA if the job you are apply for is real or if it's yet another Three Stars fake job website. I think networking to find a job today is best way to not get scammed. Happy job hunting everyone...be careful out there. At least Three Stars didn't ask for my social security number at any point. I feel very sorry for job seekers that DO offer this information online. :-(
Three Stars Media is a scam!! Job seekers beware! I have had the same experience - there are no jobs.
Has any one every went for a web/graphic job or an advertisng cordinator job. I went today and had to take an assessment. I was kind of frustrated that I didn’t get to talk to a real person about the positions because I have a lot of questions about the company and the job. Any one have any information and what it is like to work for them in these types of jobs. Are they a scam?
Thanks
Well I went for the second, got called back for the third and now work for them. I actually really like this company and do believe 100% that I can promote up in the company. My manager is helpful and always available and the pay is better then I thought I'd be making.
a verified customer
Not being rated by the BBB makes them a scam? I can think of two things wrong with that.
They do have a BBB rating, C- at the moment, and a single complaint they seem to have dealt with:
http://www.orlando.bbb.org/newsearch2.asp?ComID=073300123509898
What's more interesting is the record for their "Career Network", 39 complaints they haven't even bothered to answer at the moment:
http://www.orlando.bbb.org/codbrep.html?wlcl=y&id=030454344
You could easily say this makes them a scam, I would have no objections to that whatsoever. Also check out numerous complaints against Career Network on this site and others. Be careful that doing a Google search will find some unrelated companies as well.
I am in the same situation. I went for their "interviews" and was informed that I would receive a phone call for my third/final interview from the area leader with whom I was applying for. This phone call was supposed to take place within 5-7 days from my second interview...needless to say that I haven't received a phone call and when I tried to send an email to the "HR" person that sent me the instructions for the second interview...I received a very streemlined email response from a different person and asked me to apply for the position if I was interested in. I have filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and come to find out during the complaint process...they are not even rated by the BBB which means that they are definately a scam. I am just worried now about idenity theft since they have my personal infomation. Have to REALLY watch my credit now from the credit bureaus! BE AWARE OF THIS SO CALLED COMPANY!!!
I went for an interview and was literally sitting in a room with a bunch of people who had all applied for different "positions." We were taken on a tour, given a PowerPoint presentation and then asked to be called back for second interviews. They promise after you complete weeks of "phone sales" that you will be promoted; however, the system makes no sense. I believe the entire staff is in on it. When you are part of the "sales" team from home, you are collecting people's info over the phone and trying to persuade them to sign up for online classes at various colleges. Long story short, if you applied to be an HR assistant this isn't really a position within the company.
I'm suppose to go back for a second interview on Tuesday. None of these positions exist? If they don't, what do they get out of it by wasting our time and theirs to lure people in that are obviously not going to take a job that they did not apply for? And what about the sweet girls that work at the front desk in the recruiting office? Are they in on this "scam" or are they just dumb and naive???
Yes, the company is fake and a ponzi scheme
I was called back for a "second" interview for tomorrow...is it a joke?
How can they be stopped?
I am getting a lot of emails from them with fake job offers.
ngordon is 100 % correct !! They hired me (a Disabled Vet) I took the job because I needed the money badly. Now I Know for sure they are SCAM ARTIST !! I will GLADLY SPEAK TO ANY LAWYER THAT WANTS TO NAIL THEM< Because I HAVE ALL THE PAPER WORK AND PEOPLES PHONE #'s TO PROVE IT !!
Three Stars Media represents themselves, both on their website and via job boards (Careerbuilder, etc) as a Marketing and Media company. They post jobs that do not exist such as "personal shopper, " "advertising coordinator, " "copywriter" only to lure people into an interview. After sitting through an hour long interview you learn that you will be contacting people via phone all day to sell them into furthering their education at an online school AND collecting information to sell off to other companies. This company is a huge scam and yet it has postings popping up all over national job boards, deceiving people into thinking they can be hired as an administrative assistant or an editor. Three Stars Media must be stopped from endangering the public and misleading job seekers. Local Orlando news channels have done stories on the pyramid scheme of this company.I am telling you honestly, from sitting through an "interview" at this "company" that things are not as they seem or as they are posted. These posted positions do not exist.
Look, three stars is a fraudulent scam company out only to get personal information in the largest fake employment scamming scheme. It is owned by convicted felon and master fraudster Ayman El Difrawi. The bulls-sh*t names of Simon, Alec and Micheal among others that he uses. Difrawi knows all about prison life after doing almost 4 years for bank fraud. So you Mr. Three Stars Director, tell me not to post more on here about Difrawri. Difrawi's scam will soon come to a close. Keith Kress has put his license to practice law, by working for Difrawri in this criminal enterprise. He is acting in the capacity of company CEO, since Ayman will not put his name on anything, but hides behind Kress and his threats of defamation lawsuits that all get thrown out by the courts. Kress is as deep into this fraud scheme as Difrawi is.
a verified customer
That would be a fine day indeed, though I suspect you're just as full of sh*t as Keith Kress. If you really know of serious criminal investigations against them you shouldn't go around posting that in public.