UPDATE: Columbia Career Institute Using More Than One Name, Website
11/26/2007
UPDATE
Tucson, AZ, Nov. 26, 2007 – An online work-at-home company boasting a bogus BBB Reliability Report, fake Tucson street address and “guaranteed” success to its students may also be doing business as Computer Career Institute
Columbia Career Institute, www.columbiacourse.com, says it’s located at 1400 N. Campbell Ave. in Tucson. This address is actually a Catholic school across from University Medical Center. There is no commercial development or office space at the address. The company may also be using the name Computer Career Institute, www.computercareerinstitute.net to sell its online course, according to recent complaints filed with BBB of Southern Arizona.
Until recently, the company’s Web site provided a link to a fake BBB report. The link directed viewers to a BBB business reliability report that appeared to be legitimate and issued by Tucson BBB. This report was a forgery.
The BBB has received inquiries from consumers both in Tucson and as far away as Virginia about this company. In attempting to contact the company multiple times through the toll free number listed on its site the BBB reached a recording stating that all counselors were currently helping other students and to please leave a message, or email the company at its info@ address. The BBB did both and has yet to receive a response.
For $499 visitors to the site are offered certification to become a “Website Promotion Specialist,” or WPS through a course that consists of “carefully crafted video lessons, amounting to over six hours of training.” According to the company, web promotion specialists type articles that reference the products and services of the companies they work with.
“We guarantee we will have you working with a major corporation, in many cases a Fortune 500 company, from the comfort of your own home, in as little as three days from when you begin the course. Our students are reporting earning $50,000 to $125,000 in their first year.”
Traditional work-at-home schemes, such as making handicrafts or stuffing envelopes, have been replaced by offers to use a home PC to make money fast. The BBB offers some warning signs to questionable online advertising:
· Overstated claims of product effectiveness. Use of hype titles and frequent use of the word “hot” to describe an investment opportunity can indicate a scam.
· Exaggerated claims of potential earnings, profits, or part-time earnings.
· Require money for instructions or merchandise before telling you how the plan operates.
· Tell you that no experience is necessary.
Anyone victimized by work-at-home offers over the Internet can file a complaint online or off-line with the BBB. Visit www.tucson.bbb.org or call (520) 888-6161.
About the BBB System
BBB is an unbiased organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Businesses that earn BBB membership contractually agree and adhere to the organization’s high standards of ethical business behavior. Today, 128 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring more than 3 million local and national businesses and charities. Please visit www.bbb.org for more information about the BBB.
http://www.tyler.bbb.org/WWWRoot/SitePage.aspx?site=74&id=c61a2967-0ea8-4796-9033-bbe2fcb5d603&art=1983
Friday, December 21, 2007
Computer Career Institute scam : answers to my emails
What you are saying does not make much sense and the judges will appreciate your answer.
They are a lot of people like me that are disapointed by your false publicity. What you are doing its criminal and you will apy for it. You might think you are very smart, but other people like yourself were arrested and are now in jail.
You won't get away for ever with the $249 you robbed from me and a lot of people.
If you have nothing to hide, I am sure you will accept to give me the address of your company for future correspondence.
- Hide quoted text -
On Dec 19, 2007 7:15 PM, wrote:
We are so sorry you are having second thoughts about the course.
Unfortunately, our refund policy is very specific, and we will be unable to issue a refund at this time. We only issue refunds in the case of our not being able to get a student up and working with a Fortune 500 company by the conclusion of the course, as specified on our website. According to our records, you have indeed been accepted to work with both Ebay and Amazon.com, two Fortune 500 companies.
Let me explain the reason for our adhering to this policy. Because our course is offered by instant download, we have had a number of people purchase our course, download the course, and then immediately ask for a refund. We have been able to trace the work of these people, so we know they have been using the course to their benefit and are working as web promotion specialists. I am certainly not saying this is your intention, but in general it is impossible for us to determine who is doing this and who is not, because in each case the person doing this offered what sounded like a perfectly legitimate excuse for wanting a refund.
It is a shame a number of dishonest people have ruined things for those who are honest.
However, we must remain firm about the terms of our money back guarantee, which are specifically stated on our website.
We would be happy, however, to offer you whatever assistance we can to help you maximize your earnings as a web promotion specialist.
Sincerely,
Sally Engel
Course Coordinator
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: CERTIFICATION EXAM
From: "FJ Romao Viegas"
Date: Wed, December 19, 2007 1:23 pm
To: info@computercareerinstitute.net
I just talk to the BBB and they say your link is false. They already have complaints on your company and they know you are operating in different names as well.
My next action is with the Attorney General. Its up to you...
I ask you to refund my $249 immediately for false publicity.
You might think you are cery clever but we will get you, its just a question of time.
On Dec 19, 2007 3:18 PM, < info@computercareerinstitute.net> wrote:
The two sites mentioned don't seem to be up and have no relationship to our company.
Sally Engel
Course Coordinator
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: CERTIFICATION EXAM
From: "FJ Romao Viegas"
Date: Wed, December 19, 2007 11:40 am
To: info@computercareerinstitute.net
Sally,
This is not working for me at all. Not even a single dollar earned. I found other people that say this is a huge scam
"
Computer Career Institute Scam
Yesterday I received an email about Computer Career Institute (CCI). I was first taken to www.wrwdtvreporter.com and then to www.ccicourse.com . BEWARE! The report that you see from the Better Business Bureau is not their report. It belongs to a real school by that name that offers no online programs. It is only campus based. If you call the number on the BBB report you will find that out. The real college says that they do not know how they got linked to those sites above. The fake CCI is making false, outrageous claims that they guarantee you a job with a Fortune 500 company 3 days after completing a six hour training. DO NOT FALL FOR THIS SCAM!
"
What is your opinion on that?
Regards,
Francis
On Dec 6, 2007 2:51 PM, < info@computercareerinstitute.net> wrote:
Francis,
One of the best ways to maximize your income is to make your blogs as specific as possible, to reduce the number of pages they are competing with in keyword searches. So for instance, instead of a blog titled "Health Insurance", do separate blogs on "St. Louis Health Insurance Options", "Boston Health Insurance Options", etc. Or, instead of a blog titled "Digital Cameras", try a blog titled "Canon 5D Review".
Sally Engel
Course Coordinator
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: CERTIFICATION EXAM
From: "FJ Romao Viegas"
Date: Thu, December 06, 2007 9:56 am
To: info@computercareerinstitute.net
Hi Sally,
Thanks for the certificate.
I am very concerned that after creatiing over 30 blogs as per the course, I was not able to earn a single dollar!!!
On your website you had testmonies of students making money right away, how does this works?
What help can you give me? What about the placement agency?
Please respond to these questions before I take further actions.
Regards,
Francis
They are a lot of people like me that are disapointed by your false publicity. What you are doing its criminal and you will apy for it. You might think you are very smart, but other people like yourself were arrested and are now in jail.
You won't get away for ever with the $249 you robbed from me and a lot of people.
If you have nothing to hide, I am sure you will accept to give me the address of your company for future correspondence.
- Hide quoted text -
On Dec 19, 2007 7:15 PM,
We are so sorry you are having second thoughts about the course.
Unfortunately, our refund policy is very specific, and we will be unable to issue a refund at this time. We only issue refunds in the case of our not being able to get a student up and working with a Fortune 500 company by the conclusion of the course, as specified on our website. According to our records, you have indeed been accepted to work with both Ebay and Amazon.com, two Fortune 500 companies.
Let me explain the reason for our adhering to this policy. Because our course is offered by instant download, we have had a number of people purchase our course, download the course, and then immediately ask for a refund. We have been able to trace the work of these people, so we know they have been using the course to their benefit and are working as web promotion specialists. I am certainly not saying this is your intention, but in general it is impossible for us to determine who is doing this and who is not, because in each case the person doing this offered what sounded like a perfectly legitimate excuse for wanting a refund.
It is a shame a number of dishonest people have ruined things for those who are honest.
However, we must remain firm about the terms of our money back guarantee, which are specifically stated on our website.
We would be happy, however, to offer you whatever assistance we can to help you maximize your earnings as a web promotion specialist.
Sincerely,
Sally Engel
Course Coordinator
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: CERTIFICATION EXAM
From: "FJ Romao Viegas"
Date: Wed, December 19, 2007 1:23 pm
To: info@computercareerinstitute.net
I just talk to the BBB and they say your link is false. They already have complaints on your company and they know you are operating in different names as well.
My next action is with the Attorney General. Its up to you...
I ask you to refund my $249 immediately for false publicity.
You might think you are cery clever but we will get you, its just a question of time.
On Dec 19, 2007 3:18 PM, < info@computercareerinstitute.net> wrote:
The two sites mentioned don't seem to be up and have no relationship to our company.
Sally Engel
Course Coordinator
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: CERTIFICATION EXAM
From: "FJ Romao Viegas"
Date: Wed, December 19, 2007 11:40 am
To: info@computercareerinstitute.net
Sally,
This is not working for me at all. Not even a single dollar earned. I found other people that say this is a huge scam
"
Computer Career Institute Scam
Yesterday I received an email about Computer Career Institute (CCI). I was first taken to www.wrwdtvreporter.com and then to www.ccicourse.com . BEWARE! The report that you see from the Better Business Bureau is not their report. It belongs to a real school by that name that offers no online programs. It is only campus based. If you call the number on the BBB report you will find that out. The real college says that they do not know how they got linked to those sites above. The fake CCI is making false, outrageous claims that they guarantee you a job with a Fortune 500 company 3 days after completing a six hour training. DO NOT FALL FOR THIS SCAM!
"
What is your opinion on that?
Regards,
Francis
On Dec 6, 2007 2:51 PM, < info@computercareerinstitute.net> wrote:
Francis,
One of the best ways to maximize your income is to make your blogs as specific as possible, to reduce the number of pages they are competing with in keyword searches. So for instance, instead of a blog titled "Health Insurance", do separate blogs on "St. Louis Health Insurance Options", "Boston Health Insurance Options", etc. Or, instead of a blog titled "Digital Cameras", try a blog titled "Canon 5D Review".
Sally Engel
Course Coordinator
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: CERTIFICATION EXAM
From: "FJ Romao Viegas"
Date: Thu, December 06, 2007 9:56 am
To: info@computercareerinstitute.net
Hi Sally,
Thanks for the certificate.
I am very concerned that after creatiing over 30 blogs as per the course, I was not able to earn a single dollar!!!
On your website you had testmonies of students making money right away, how does this works?
What help can you give me? What about the placement agency?
Please respond to these questions before I take further actions.
Regards,
Francis
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Computer Career Institute scam
Web Promotion Specialist - CCI - Career Training Institute - WFYZ TV Tennessee - Dan Stafford Consumer Reporter
wpscourse.com - WFYZ TV - Dan Stafford Consumer Reporter- onlineconsumerreporter.net
Better Business Bureau, CCI, Computer Career Institute, Online Colleges, Online Programs, Ripoff, Ripoff Report, scams
Visit the Scams101 Message Board at
http://www.friendsinbusiness.com/board1/index.cgi/noframes/read/127995
They are lots of people in the same situation as us
BUYER BEWARE -- This company, now calling themselves Career Training Institute - is a SCAM. They have recently changed their name and website address. Please take a look at the blog listed below - there is a full description on what this program is all about. They post fake news articles to lure you in. They have recently added a new website for a news article - which is exactly the same as their old article. Please take a look at the following blog, describing this company:
http://computercareerinstitutescam.blogspot.com
Computer Career Institute Scam
Yesterday I received an email about Computer Career Institute (CCI). I was first taken to www.wrwdtvreporter.com and then to www.ccicourse.com. BEWARE! The report that you see from the Better Business Bureau is not their report. It belongs to a real school by that name that offers no online programs. It is only campus based. If you call the number on the BBB report you will find that out. The real college says that they do not know how they got linked to those sites above. The fake CCI is making false, outrageous claims that they guarantee you a job with a Fortune 500 company 3 days after completing a six hour training. DO NOT FALL FOR THIS SCAM!
http://immyownboss.blogspot.com/2007/10/computer-career-institute-scam.html
We did buy into the CCI course and we have posted our findings on our blog. We are giving a full description of what exactly they teach - please view the information here: http://computercareerinstitutescam.blogspot.com
I wish I had seen your post. I lost $249.00 to the fake CCI. I thought all the Computer Career Institute's were the same. They advertise a job placement service. HA! I'm still waiting for a job and my money back!! I hope other people see this and don't get scammed!!!
wpscourse.com - WFYZ TV - Dan Stafford Consumer Reporter- onlineconsumerreporter.net
Better Business Bureau, CCI, Computer Career Institute, Online Colleges, Online Programs, Ripoff, Ripoff Report, scams
Visit the Scams101 Message Board at
http://www.friendsinbusiness.com/board1/index.cgi/noframes/read/127995
They are lots of people in the same situation as us
BUYER BEWARE -- This company, now calling themselves Career Training Institute - is a SCAM. They have recently changed their name and website address. Please take a look at the blog listed below - there is a full description on what this program is all about. They post fake news articles to lure you in. They have recently added a new website for a news article - which is exactly the same as their old article. Please take a look at the following blog, describing this company:
http://computercareerinstitutescam.blogspot.com
Computer Career Institute Scam
Yesterday I received an email about Computer Career Institute (CCI). I was first taken to www.wrwdtvreporter.com and then to www.ccicourse.com. BEWARE! The report that you see from the Better Business Bureau is not their report. It belongs to a real school by that name that offers no online programs. It is only campus based. If you call the number on the BBB report you will find that out. The real college says that they do not know how they got linked to those sites above. The fake CCI is making false, outrageous claims that they guarantee you a job with a Fortune 500 company 3 days after completing a six hour training. DO NOT FALL FOR THIS SCAM!
http://immyownboss.blogspot.com/2007/10/computer-career-institute-scam.html
We did buy into the CCI course and we have posted our findings on our blog. We are giving a full description of what exactly they teach - please view the information here: http://computercareerinstitutescam.blogspot.com
I wish I had seen your post. I lost $249.00 to the fake CCI. I thought all the Computer Career Institute's were the same. They advertise a job placement service. HA! I'm still waiting for a job and my money back!! I hope other people see this and don't get scammed!!!
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