Visa Mastercard Merchant Services* review: phone scam 37

I, too, have been getting phone calls from Arizona regarding a home based business where I would become an affiliate and would give them local business names. They would then contact the businesses and offer them Visa and M/C terminals at 2% instead of 4-6%.
The whole deal sounded "too good to be true". This is the first site I have found of another complaint about this company.
Thanks.

THEY ALSO USE PHONE NUMBER: [protected]. First, I was told that they are responding to my inquiry for information. MASTER CARD MERCHANT SERVICES, a Division of VISA/MasterCard, Small Business Cards. I asked for hdqtr address, which he said, "Scottsdale, AZ". When I asked for a STREET ADDRESS, he claimed that because they were a financial institution he could not give out that information. He then insulted me with, "You aren't even wanting to hear about me being able to help you make thousands of dollars?". Then I said, "You're insulting me when all I need is a street address and phone number to check the company out with BBB". CLICK...was the response. I live in the KC metro area.

Yep. Got the same exact scam on the phone yesterday. I sounded too good to be true. I talked with someone named Audry from the "Merchant Services Division of Visa Mastercard". After a couple requests, she gave me her call back number: [protected] .
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With the initial phone call, you get someone reading a script with something like 200 people in the background. After you say "OK" to their initial script, they play a recorded message then forward you to the "Senior" rep. While talking to Audry, I asked her for a website with info... none. I asked if she could e-mail me some info... nope can't do that because "they" don't like her to send out info. The call back number that Audry gave me was [protected] .
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Also, their caller ID is "Unknown". This is also not a good sign.
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All they ask for is $500 to set up your FTC Merchant Services Licence. I did a Google serach on this and found that a Merchant Services Licence is something normally only issued to big companies and banks.
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Also, when I did a reverse directory assistance on the [protected] phone number, the only info I could get was that it was a cell phone number. This is also not a good sign.
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Luckly I did not give them any personal info. All signs point to TOTAL SCAM!

I have been getting calls about a home business from Visa promise to make 2 to 5K a month with a initial investment for a Bank license of 295 charged against my Visa card and month fee of about 6. to generate them at least 5leads per week. Checked phone number call on [protected] unlisted or cell and same with the call back # of [protected] for Joseph Peterson. Sounds to good to be true.

Very well done, Thank you so much for this informative article. I guess if there's
any transaction that had been failed it is on the merchants obligation to settle or to
solve it because that's their work or job that to ensure that the customer should not to
worry of their credit or debit card.

Yeah, I got a call from VISA & MASTERCARD SERVICES saying I had requested info on making extra money. I have not requested that, but I felt like messing with them so I listened to their recording and then another person came on the line to give me the spiel.

He was much smoother than the 1st guy and he told me how small business is charged 4-6% for credit card transactions and they could reduce it to 2% and split the fee with me for giving them names and phone numbers for businesses in my area. Said I could make $3000 to $4000 per month. I asked why they need for me to give them the info and pay me a lot of money when they could find it in the Yellow Pages. He says their agreement with VISA & MC doesn't allow them to do that, but it's OK if they get the info from me. Yeah right. Then He told me again how much money I could make just for giving them a few business names and numbers and I could expect to start getting paid within two weeks.

I said "sounds good".

He says, " I detect some sarcasm in the way you said that. I've been doing this for a long time and I can sense these things. I'm not just some schmuck your talkin to".

I said, " and what do you need from me? My SS#, my bank account and credit card numbers?"

He knew I was onto them and said, " no, I don't need that and I don't need you", and he hung up.

Yes, they are still doing it, I just got a call. I played along to get more information about the company. He said he worked for VISA and you could check out the company at VISA.com . I ask him for the address and phone number and he said what to you need to think about? What do you need to know to move forward? I said I need to check some things out and ask him again for the address. I kept dancing around the issue. But, I got 4220 N 19th; Phoenix, AZ 85015, phone is [protected]. He, Adam B., called from [protected] according to AT&T phone log. Of course, no VISA listed there. But, the call was similar with the exact same sales format as a company scamming people called. websites4america.com. they are list as Cornerstone Marketing Solutions LLC 4131 N. 24th St Suite A-122 Phoenix, AZ 85016
[protected] or [protected] and FAX: [protected], EMAIL: support@websites4america.com
Here is the sales approach. First, a caller asking if you are interested in making money from home? Then, a pitch about some business with a website in it. Ask if we have a credit card to qualify. Then you listen to a message. Next, the supervisor gives you the pitch and high pressure sells you. He will not send you an email to make an informed decision.

Yes, the company is still at it! Just received a call from them telling me pretty much the same thing everyone has stated on here. I told the guy I would call him back in a couple of hrs., needed to talk to my husband about it. His name was Duane Davis @ [protected] his direct line in Scottsdale, AZ. I hung up & checked the Internet to see what kind of scam it was. I'm in Panama City Beach, FL. Knew it sounded to good to be TRUE!

I just received the same call as described by all above including the [protected] phone number except the supervisors name was Justin Markoss. I was conducting research on the internet while talking to him and came across this thread. Thank you for posting and saving me the headache and $$ I could have wasted getting involved with this scam.

Just received the same call as described by all of the folks who sent in complaints. It is a scam...I just got a bad feeling when they said I needed to charge $495. to my master card or visa. Thankfully they didn't have my credit card number. When I asked where they got my name and phone number (I was called on my cell phone) I was told that only "special" visa/master card customers were being called. The man I spoke with was Joseph and his number is [protected]. I guess they want your credit card information and all your other "good" stuff if a License is involved. Fortunately, my husband and I are in business for over 10 years and we know quite a bit about licensing, etc. The license they are speaking of is not something anyone "off the street" can acquire. I feel sad for anyone who is in real need of a job and falls for this.

I got the same phone call yesterday the guy that on the other was really pressuring to sign up and I cant really afford $495 to start a business. The area code that showed up on my phone was 623 area code.

The only advice I have for anyone that is contemplating giving these people youre money, DON'T. They call you and say that they saw where you were interested in making extra income frm something that you fillid out online, then they let you listen to a recorded disclaimer and when the recording finishes, someone totally different comes on the line from who called you, they tell you that you simply have to gather names and phone number's of business' in youre area and they have highly trained marketer's that will get these business' to convert over to them for a 2% rate. they tell you that they have like three different packages, the one I was considering was the start up one of $ 295.00 and a monthly fee of $ 24.95 for the personal website, it sounded a little to good to be tru, I told the lady that I could not afford the $ 295.00 right now just to see what she would say, she said to hold on, 3 minutes later she returned to the line and said that if I could give her 10 leads this week, that she would take off $100.00 so instead of paying $ 295 I would pay $ 195 and that I absolutly had to pay today. I hung up and she kept on calling back when I would not answere, then someone else called from a different number from the same company. The phone number's they were calling me from were [protected] and [protected]. Can you say SCAM!

Hey! I got a phone call today from an Unknown number. He said I entered a sweepstakes but i don't remember doing so. He didn't ask for any info BUT if i had visa/mastercard/american express...I was half asleep so i answered with visa and mastercard (forgetting that i don't have mastercard) he asked for my age and my occupation. I just responded with those two things so now i don't get it. Was i scammed? or was it a pre-scam? later on i got a phone call from a 732 number i didn't pick up and when i try to call back and it said the phone number was invalid.

I have received the similar call. The number was [protected]. The same script as noted above. The lady tried many different ways to make me pay. Saying she knew her product, and asking me why I needed any additional information. She said: it's like getting more information about FBI, what is there to know more about them? It was funny how pushy she was to get a payment and how that revealed it was a mere scam. At some point I wondered however whether she really believed in what she was saying. I wonder how she can sleep at night by telling blatant lies all day long.

[protected]

I recently have been receiving calls from them as well. When I explained that this was an unsolicited call, and my number is registered in the "Do Not Call Registry" and I am filing a 1088 form on the FCC's website, the agent got rude and hung up. I called the number back several times before speaking with someone. I spoke to a Supervisor (at least she said she was), and she told me they EXCLUSIVELY purchase their lead information from a company called "HOOVER" ( Google "Hoover Telemarketing" and they'll be the first one listed).

HOOVER'S Contact Info:
5800 Airport Blvd., Austin, TX 78752
phone: [protected]
fax: [protected]

Hoover is also owner by Parent Company Called: Dun & Bradstreet

Dun & Bradstreet's Contact Info:
103 JFK Pkwy.
Short Hills, NJ
07078
Phone: [protected]
Fax: [protected]
Toll Free: [protected]

IF YOU ARE RECEIVING UNSOLICITED CALLS YOU CAN:
1. REPORT THEM TO YOUR STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE
2. REPORT THEM TO THE FCC VIA http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm

IT doesn't matter that Hoover or Dun & Bradstreet aren't the one's physically making the calls, they are unlawfully selling OUR information. When filing your complaints in the comments field Mention these 2 companies and their respective contact information. They should be held accountable for their negligence. Don't fall for the "somewhere you expressed interest in our service/product." they have been calling my cell phone, and I safe-guard that number like it's my ssn

**EDIT** NOT SURE WHY IT POSTED LIKE THAT (ABOVE)

[protected]

I recently have been receiving calls from them as well. When I explained that this was an unsolicited call, and my number is registered in the Do Not Call Registry and I am filing a 1088 form on the FCC website, the agent got rude and hung up. I called the number back several times before speaking with someone. I spoke to a Supervisor (at least she said she was), and she told me they EXCLUSIVELY purchase their lead information from a company called HOOVER ( Google Hoover Telemarketing and they will be the first one listed).

HOOVERS Contact Info:
5800 Airport Blvd., Austin, TX 78752
phone: [protected]
fax: [protected]

Hoover is also owner by Parent Company Called: Dun and Bradstreet

Dun and Bradstreets Contact Info:
103 JFK Pkwy.
Short Hills, NJ
07078
Phone: [protected]
Fax: [protected]
Toll Free: [protected]

IF YOU ARE RECEIVING UNSOLICITED CALLS YOU CAN:
1. REPORT THEM TO YOUR STATE ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE
2. REPORT THEM TO THE FCC VIA http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm

IT does not matter that Hoover or Dun and Bradstreet are not physically making the calls, they are unlawfully selling OUR information. When filing your complaints in the comments field Mention these 2 companies and their respective contact information. They should be held accountable for their negligence. Do not fall for the: Somewhere you expressed interest in our service/product. They have been calling my cell phone, and I safe-guard that number like it is my ssn

I received a similar call this evening. The earlier posts in this thread describe the conversation I had with the 'rep' trying to get me to send them 5 names/addresses/phone numbers. In return, I was going to get $1000 as an 'incentive' to keep sending them names/numbers/addresses. I asked why they could not hire sales people to do the same thing, and I was told that they have an anti-compete clause with other financial institutions. I am so thrilled that I found this thread while talking to the 'rep.' When I mentioned it to her, she hung up. I looks like these people are moving east as I live in metro Atlanta area. I encourage others who are on the Do Not Call List to report these unsolicited calls at www.donotcall.gov

I also Just today recieved this type of call (they have tried to reach me several times) and I will tell you the Name was under and fhone numbers: This is how is came up on my caller ID,
BB Scriebner...[protected], Brian Odle [protected] so I decided to take a listen. I'm just going to sort of pick up from the above comments: After the person was telling me all the money I can gererate in a month and than the catch, so I started telling him that I knew there would be a catch and he was giving me a hard time about him working directly with Visa/Master Card and he promises this and that. So I told him to send me a gaurantee contract and than they hung up. Really, do they think we are all stupid? Master Card and Visa should go after them. After all they are calling their customers.

I've been getting calls for a few weeks from [protected]. They left a pre-recorded voice message once, asking if I'd like to make money from home by partnering with VISA and Mastercard to make referrals for merchant account processors, or something. Finally I answered a call today and it was the usual hooplah, I can make money by just giving them business names and phone numbers and letting them close them for me (at a whopping 52 to 70% conversion rate - IMPOSSIBLE for cold calls). And then I'd be making residual income. Woohoo! I can just look up local businesses on Google and yellow pages! Wait, why can't THEY do that? And why do they insist on charging me for the FTC merchant affiliate license if the money is supposed to go to the FTC? I asked them this and the sales guy dodged the question by talking fast about the forms I'd have to fill out, saying it would all be explained in the welcome kit, trying to confuse me into thinking my objection was handled and hoping I'd take them up on "faith." I asked the sales guy David where I could go to verify the supposed FTC license fees and he said "I wouldn't even know where to look... you can use Google can't you?" Why wouldn't he have this information readily at hand to verify the legitimacy of their claims? He said the name of their company is Full Speed Funding, they're listed on BBB.org with a rating of F and 46 filed complaints, 3 complaints failed to respond and 1 serious complaint. Obviously a bad BBB record is a huge red flag by itself. Before the quick research I was suspicious by how fast they tried to get my CC # and how little information they were willing to give me. I can't believe they're still doing this! scam scam scam. How do we stop them?

i experienced the same scam, this guy named Yantsy using a magic jack service claimed I can become a visa merchant affilliate, i knew it was scam because when he transfered me to a different person they contradicted each when i asked what the name of their business was; Bigbizmarketing (BS) I pried further to see how far this scam went so i gave them a bogus pre paid debit number that had no money in it. They were upset to see that there was no money in it (haha) and kept calling and calling until i finally answered and said how does it feel to be scammed back. lol

They are calling again, now from [protected]. Now they offer to get people a Merchant Banking ID, which they say is obtained from the FTC, for $495. But if you can only afford $295, then they will still get you an ID but give you less payback from your "work". As they explained it, you give them local business contacts, and they try to get the businesses to sign up for their credit card processing services. If they don't sign up, you get $50, but if they do sign up, you get 1 % of the business's credit card commerce, plus other fees. They say they can charge client businesses up to 240 different fees, and you get a cut of it! It certainly sounds like a scam to me...

Unbelievable.. I was called to nite about this great way to make money at home. He said most the things everyone here has said. Pay $300 get $500 within 2 weeks... guaranteed! ! Just give them 10 names of companies. It sounded great but I told him I had to think about it. We were on the phone for a good 30 minutes.. I think he thought he 'had' me. Thanks for all this info.

I received the same phone call as listed above today. They have called me from various numbers. Today's call came from
[protected] a Tucson area code, listed as Fahy Marcus on caller ID. They said they were in Phoenix Az. calling from Visa Mastercard. George Bobb was the first caller I spoke to today. I asked the name of his company. He first said VIP Plus Services. He later told me they were also affiliated with Business Development Services. I told him I wanted to check some things out and asked for his number. [protected], a Phoenix area code. I checked for those companies on the web. No listings. I called him back and asked for a website. He gave me www.fidelitymerchantservices.com. This site is active. It was established Jan 30, 2010. It has very little info about the company or services. At 4:11 I received a call from the 520 #. This was Rey Quinones, the hard sales guy. He said he was the baseball player who is now an umpire in Phoenix and owns a store, Extreme Sports store. They both said I needed to give them $495 for an affiliates license with the Federal Trade Commission. I had already the FTC. They said no license was needed to sell credit card processing. When I told Rey I called the FTC. He said I must have talked to someone who did not know what they were talking about. Every question I asked was replied with Visa Mastercard is huge. They don't mess around. They would be all over someone trying to defraud. Or my questions were avoided and the conversation directed to another topic, like how he promotes his store online. I was told if there was a problem I would just have to dispute the charge as fraud and get my money back. When I was sent to verification they said you know this is a nonrefundable charge. I was told if this is not legitimate I could get my money back. She then put me back to Rey. He said no you don't get your money back from us you contact Visa they do a chargeback. Of course if you agree to no refunds you have little recourse. He then went on to tell me how ling it took him to get his store website to come up in search engines. That is why I could not find any info on Fidelity Merchant Services. Also they had had no complaints, so no blogs have reached the net. He then told me this business was not for me, that I was a negative person. He sleeps very well at night because he helps people make money. He makes money doing this very same thing, signing business for inexpensive credit card processing. They also contact Visa/Mastercard customers to offer them this opportunity. New Port Richey, Fl

My elderly father, living on social security, just got scammed by this same scam for $250 leaving him $44 to live on for the rest of the month. Is there any way to recoup that money?

I have gotten several calls over the last few months. Starts like this:
A recorded voice intro "This is Lisa from " Credit Card Accounts Services" "There is no problem with your account at this time.
But we can lower your monthly payment press 1 to speak with a live opperater". So, I press one because I am tired of the phone calls and want them to stop. A lady come on asks if I have a credit card balance of $5, 000 or more? "No" I reply. She hangs up before I can say another word. The next time same process. a lady asked if I have a card balance of $5, 000 or more. "Yes" I reply
She then starts her prepared dialog. I Say "Why are you calling me? I am on the NDNC list" She cuts off the call. I report the call to the National Do Not Call Registory. Today, again I get the same call. But this time it is man with a thick India accent.
I ask him to repeat the Company Name. "Visa and Mastercard Services" he says He then goes on to say we show you have a credit card with Captial One with a balance of xxxxx amount. (This would of been true but I had paid the account off last year in 2010)
So I say "No, that was paid off" Again, he hangs up before I can ask another thing. So, once again I report this to the NDNC.
I have to assume this is some sort of phone scam as well.

I just got this call last night from [protected]. I told them the only way I could do what they were talking about was to pay them with the checks I got and they hung up on me so I never got to the "up front costs" part...LOL. I was given some name of CBS Direct and the guy I supposedly was on the phone with was Joey Garcia. They had me listen to some recorded bs that truly told me nothing and the initial caller stayed on the line with me while I listened then transferred me to some supposed higher up who was Joey. They said the 1st check was a guaranteed $500 and with the per client commission and residuals I would make $500 to $1500 a month giving them 7 small businesses per week and no more than 28 total a month. I would operate as a certified broker to cut their costs and so on. VISA/MASTERCARD needs to really look into this b/c they're taking advantage of their customers specifically and I certainly don't appreciate it!

Got a call from Kevin Williams from Merchant Services, same as above, 1600 Scottsdale Rd. AZ. Phone [protected]. Platinum level is $495 minus a $100 discount. Plus $5.95 week for website. Called Credit Card Company and they said they would work with me and support me if I wanted to cancel the charges. Seems definitely a scam. Call your credit card co. They said I had up to 90 days to dispute any charges. I'm going to call the number on the back of the card on Monday.
Rob in Winston, GA

MS enterprises w/ Chalonne foerster in charge is in Surprise Az. and in las vegas...on 8670 W. cheyenne ave l. v., Nv. 89129
phone [protected]

Also file complaint on scabbook and at online business bureau as EFC is n ow my choice business services also on W. cheyenne in las vegas and with the same efc staff in dispute dept. at least. anyone know danielle strange there [protected]?

Where is John Hanson? He is the main guy disputing me and granted a refund, but from a closed account. Manager / owner of web4amer. / cornerstone.

http://www.bbb.org/central-northern-western-arizona/business-reviews/web-design/fast-website-marketing-in-youngstown-az-1000004877/

This is most interesting how http://enterprisesmsllc.com/contact.php
Has the exact same portfolio as websites4america

check it out and complain everywhere possible...Az. att. gen. for sure!

Latest is they are dba my choice business services in las vegas...if you have not heard? Google them for more address and location info. Also file new complaints at AZ. att. gen, Nancy Anger, assistant Att. gen.; FTC is easy to file complaint; Online business bureau, and BBB; scambook told me to tell other victims to file complaint there. Good Luck! I too have been fighting for a year now. John Hanson of web4amer. is especially a crook, but C. Foerster is right up there. And view the 3 on your side report of a couple of months ago.

http://www.azfamily.com/news/consumer/Valley-business-accused-of-ripping-off-customers-for-tens-of-thousands-of-dollars-122197574.html

http://www.azfamily.com/news/consumer/Local-based-business-accused-of-taking-money-from-people--124392139.html

My Choice, Fidelity Merchant Solutions and Economic Freedom Corp ripped me off for almost $30, 000. They sold me a website and then told me I needed a marketing campaign. They said that they would do all of the work, that's why I paid so much because I dont have the time to do it myself. I got nothing but lies. They wouldnt return my calls or help me. I have filed with the BBB, FTC, Attorney Generals office but that didnt get me anywhere. Fortunately I found a company that helped me get my money back. CR Consumer Resources LLC. I called and they helped me through this nightmare. I spoke with the owner Jay Rosen and he and his staff were the nicest people. I am so happy that I was able to find them. I received every cent those crooks took from me thanks to this company and Jay Rosen. I highly recommend them if you need help. Their phone number is [protected] www.crconsumerresources.com

CR CONSUMER RESOURCES IS A SCAM! Research them on the net. They've been scamming people for years! They charge you an upfront fee and promise they will win your case but two months later the credit card company charged the money back to my card. Turns out they just disputed the charges on my account as fraud and never provided anything. They got their money and now they are GONE! WHAT A SCAM! DO NOT GIVE THEM ANYTHING! They will get you a temp credit but its not impermanent until the credit card company researches the charge which they original scam company is sure to respond. NOW I have been scammed twice! This is ridiculous! PLEASE DO NOT FALL FOR THIS! They post comments everywhere as a scammed victim who used crconsumerresources llc and got there money back with there services. SCAM! They post all there comments as Ccook1963

There address is a PO BOX. P.O. Box 31069, Phoenix Arizona, 85046 and the members are listed as JAY B ROSEN KAREN A ROSEN Robert A Rosen. Address 4925 E ACOMA DR SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85254

CR Consumer Resources LLC Scam, CnsmrRsrcs SCAM crconsumerresources.com ripoff, CR Consumer Resources LLC BBB Scam, CnsmrRsrcs SCAM crconsumerresources.com BBB ripoff SCAM

This is a false complaint. CR Consumer Resources has done a thorough investigation on US Job Assist and yes, they are scammers.
I would wonder why this poster did not put a picture of some real evidence instead of a screen shot of the website.CR Consumer Resources does investigate many scammers/companies and some get angry with us because we have helped so many people recover their money with the information we collect through our investigations.. They then go on an internet smear rampage in a very childish manner. CR Consumer Resources has many references from our several satisfied clients. Please feel free to call if you need help. 888.563.5558

I received a call from these people and decided to look them up while on the phone. I came across this forum and a lot of what is said here is true. I kept saying no and he kept accusing me of not having the money. Which whether I do or do not, I don't care what he thinks. Furthermore if he felt I did not have the money why not just get off the call!? I repeatedly asked him why I needed a merchant ID if all I was doing was referring leads. No straight answer he just kept saying it said why in the recording. Then I told him I needed to do more research before making a decision he told me "you are not going to sit here and act like I don't know anything." How me doing my research does that is beyond me. I mean $500 may not be a lot for some people but that is a pretty large leap of faith to take for me on a company i know nothing about. Furthermore the recording specifically talks about the multiple ways to make money and the initial rep said this is not a multi-level marketing scheme. Um that is exactly what it sounds like what the recording said. Also the rep said "this is not a valid offer" idk if that was a slip up or what he meant to say but I caught it which further too away from the company for me. Furthermore I cannot understand why my credit card company would want me helping businesses do this. It is not guaranteed to make a profit. I repeatedly asked what the license was never got an valid explanation. Mainly the "Director" kept saying it takes money to make money. He said look us up on the FBI site etc, I asked for the name of the company to do so again he says "you are not going to sit there and act like I don't know anything."

Be aware that this company is still at it I got a phone call from a North Dakota number and they are now representing themselves under visa and MasterCard association wanting associates to get them leads for medium to small businesses but you must pay an $895 fee when they call in order to process the licensing.The number that called me was [protected]. This is a scam.

They've been contacting me for a few weeks - different numbers, different names. I suspect they use an auto-dialer now which shows numbers from different states. I was told by the first 'agent' that he'd been making money with Capital Marketing Pros (capitalmarketingpros.net) for 6 months. He had a website and everything. I asked a lot of questions, especially when they hit me with the $895 licensing fee. When I asked for the licensing authority, they couldn't answer the question. They had me navigate to the usa.visa.com FAQ page and showed me the yellow highlighted portion regarding the registration of third party agents ( http://usa.visa.com/download/merchants/tpa-registration-program-faqs.pdf). They use internet postings from Visa to seem legitimate. I read through the FAQs while they talked at me and I found that only large entities register for these statuses with Visa. I questioned them as to their status based on the FAQs and they couldn't answer those questions either. When I asked why I needed a license to register as a referral agent (a completely undefinded term in the FAQ) they said it was due to a Federal law. When I asked them which Federal law it was, they said they needed to confirm my questions and they'd get back to me. I talked to at least 4 people on this 2 hour phone. At the end of it, we established that I wanted to know what specifically the $895 paid for (either a licensing authority or an itemized breakdown of costs, fees, etc) and the Federal law that required Visa to recruit referrers as third party agents. I had several more calls, went on vacation, then got another call this morning from Mark Taylor. This time the $895 was for an agency registration for Visa and the Federal law (still unnamed) provided a $10K penalty if Visa didn't recruit referrals through their third party agents. There is no Federal law - this is a penalty imposed by Visa on Third Party Agents if they fail to comply with Visa's rules. Here's what a couple of hours of research revealed:

1. For a company that is at least 6 months old, their website was created via GoDaddy on March 11, 2015 (confirmed on whois.net)
2. They are not listed on The Visa Global Registry of Service Providers (http://www.visa.com/splisting/index.html)
3. I found a Bank of America posting that specifically states that referrals/referrers do not register as agents (no registration no fees)
https://merch.bankofamerica.com/documents/10162/112534/VISA-MASTERCARD_THIRD_PARTY_REGISTRATION_REQUIREMENTS_-_5-1-2013.pdf
4. There is no BBB listing for them, so they must have just gotten started again.
5. Their IP address shows them in Houston, TX but that could just be a GoDaddy address.
6. The source code on their Contact Page contains no actual email address - hit submit and it goes nowhere

This is a list of the webpages I found:
https://merch.bankofamerica.com/documents/10162/112534/VISA-MASTERCARD_THIRD_PARTY_REGISTRATION_REQUIREMENTS_-_5-1-2013.pdf

Visa Global Registry of Service Providers (Including TPAs and TPSs)
http://www.visa.com/splisting/index.html

Visa FAQs
http://usa.visa.com/download/merchants/tpa-registration-program-faqs.pdf

Visa Glossary
http://usa.visa.com/download/merchants/tpa-glossary.pdf

I'll be reporting this to the BBB and the Texas AG.

Also got a call from Ann Arbor, MI [protected] and NY [protected] from "Jason" giving me the whole pitch as everyone else received. He stated the company is capital Marketing Pros and he was going to give me a discount on the $895 package for only $695. when i asked him what exactly was the $695 paying for, he said it was for them to start up an LLC in my name with the correct license so i can process payments and receive my money. Apparently all of the yearly fees and corporate dealings would be handled by them and i would not have to pay any taxes on any money earned because they "found" a way to make what i'd be doing as an "Educational Program". after 2 hrs on the phone asking questions, i told him i would have to do my research and get back to him. He was very insistent on me e-signing an invoice for the $695 but i told him i would not sign anything yet. He sent it to me and have attached it here. He told me his company has been around for 30 years and they are located in 9021 Melrose Ave. Ste 202, West Hollywood, CA 90069 with a contact # [protected]. It appears on their invoice as does the "affiliate program educational material" for the $695. I also checked the whois and confirmed they created their website on March 11 2015. now i get calls from "Jason" from a private number asking me to call him back. Hopefully the invoice info i provided will help people find them easier as i don't know how to proceed or use the info against them. But as long as it keeps people from getting scammed i am happy.

Thank you so much for this information! I just received the same call that all of you described above. It sounded too good to be true so I probed and asked lots of questions.. You could tell that I was making them uncomfortable with all my inquires. They told me I needed to provide them with a credit card to pay my fee for working with them. They argued with me that it had a to be visa or mastercard credit car, I could not pay with a check or a debit card. This is a horrible scam and don't trust them. I took notes the entire time they spoke just so I could share it with everyone to warn them!

Here are the notes: 4/20/2016
Number on Called ID: [protected], [protected]

Recruiter Conversation: Placed on
Eric Jensen- Senior Recruiter
Customer Service – [protected]
Merchant Services Incorporated
Job:
Do target marketing to small and middle line business owner. Try to help people save money. All business’s pay an interest rate. We need these business owners (cover all U.S. and Canada). All business owners need these services – we need to get them to choose Visa- MC.

Visa and Mastercard – two businesses, they are eventually going to join forces together. They have 60% of the market.
Our agents average anywhere from 1K to 3K a month. Depends on your goals and how much you want to put into the business – how many hours.
You are given a business development manager who will help you set up a website and get your business going. You will be given a territory. If you put time into this and listen to your BDM, you are going to succeed. Give it time, it may take

1) $500 per terminal you transition (most businesses have between 1-3 terminals). All the terminals that we are converting all have the chip technology and businesses have to change their terminals anyways (grown 22% in the last 3 years) On your website, you are going to target people with the market you have
2) We do loans for these business. There are applications on your website, we do loans for small business owners. Business can’t get loans with banks anymore. These business owners use that money for varies things, remodels, etc. We don’t work with cooperate America, they are usually Mom and Pop stores. You can 2% on any loan that is done through applications filled out on my website. They will loan 10k – 75k. Interest rates on the cards are average of 3%. Our company is very successful in keeping people as customers.
3) Processing fee (residual $ for me). Every month, as long as you continue to work with that business, you will always get that monthly residual income. Our lowest rate is 0.38%. I get 50% of that rate per transactions.
Company has about 500 agents within the United States and Canada. Been doing this for 20 years. This is service for these business owners because they have to do this.
Four things that will make you successful:
1) Agent ID Number – registration number
2) Custom website – Customer service will walk you through that
3) Business Development Area – territory is 150 square mile radius of where you live. Grows with you
4) Back Office – allows you to monitor and track on a daily, weekly, and monthly process – allows you to track on a daily basis how you are making money, especially on the residual amount. This is very handy. Pay’s you twice a month.

Getting enrolled does cost a fee; it’s a one-time fee. The regular cost is $2500….. but they absorb the most of it. You are charged 1k, you pay them back with your first commission. They use a third party contractor to protect their company and their agents, secured line and verification company. You have to sign and date an email document. Have to give them a picture, prove who you are. First check is sent by certified mail. Then you do direct deposit.
Talk to Third Party Vendor – Process – Monday customer service would contact me. Takes about 7-8 days for your BDA to contact you and talk about your business plan, time, goals, etc. Once all that is done, you will be able to start working. So mid to end of the week (next week).

Gave him my card number for my Chase Visa Account. Name, Address, Visa #, exp. Three digit number on the back.