Emerald Who's Who is a Scam

[jay143]

Emerald Who's Who Scam.. Buyer Beware of this internet scam!! Read This VERY CAREFULLY, enjoy! The other day I received an email with an invitation to accept an appointment as a “biographical candidate” in the Emerald Who's Who registry of “accomplished individuals”. I checked out their website and found that it did contain a few biographies of professionals in the same industry as i am in.

So I made the effort of accepting. I thought that it must be some kind of honor. Then I received no reply and figured that I must not be that accomplished after all.

Then one day I was at my desk writing when I received a phone call from a fairly professional-sounding man. The conversation that followed went something like this:

Man: “Hello Mr..... Let me be the first to congratulate you on your acceptance into the Emerald Who's Who Registry. We want you to know that we have selected you on the merits of your work and accomplishments. After our team of researchers has reviewed your accomplishments, we find it a great honor to include you in our directory.

“First let me personally congratulate you on your fine work. After your acceptance into the Emerald Who's Who Registry, you will be part of a network of professionals and distinguished individuals who stand out in their respective fields.

“As part of your membership, you will be eligible to be published in our online registry as well as physically published directories. Your biography will be available for other professionals around the world to view. This is an excellent networking tool.”

I was now feeling very warm and fuzzy inside. Wow… they think I'm a really outstanding person!

The man then interviewed me. He asked me to explain how I became so accomplished in my field, how I became so successful, etc., etc. I took a deep breath of pride and spewed out all the things that make me so cool (and left out all the things like my success has not made me rich at all).

He asked, “Will you be using your membership for networking or credibility?”

I explained that I would probably be using it for both. “Being I high school drop-out, I have always had to struggle with public opinion on my credibility…”

I spent thirty or forty minutes talking to him, feeling very proud, when he said, “We offer two levels of membership.”

Suddenly, the whole interview changed perspective for me and I kind of zoned out while he explained the differences between their lifetime membership and lesser membership. I heard something about “eight ninety-nine” which was almost ninety times more than a ten-dollar filing fee.

He said something about plane tickets and networking opportunities and a really cool certificate of membership and media kits to share with media about my accomplishment.

I shyly interrupted, “I am not so sure about this. I was under the assumption that I was being honored with a recognition instead of being sold something.” I wondered how a certificate I paid for was going to add credibility to my name.

He said, “You are honored with being grouped with executives and professionals from around the world.”

He then started telling me more about the membership benefits.

I said, “I don't think I really want to do this. I will have to think about it.”

He seemed taken aback. “This isn't an offer that we can negotiate. We have thousands of professionals to deal with. We can't take the time to negotiate with potential membership. It's a one-time deal.”

He then said, “Will you be paying with Visa or MasterCard?”

I said, “Well, I don't think I am interested right now.”

He said, “Let me tell you what… I have the authority to place you on a list here and reserve your plane tickets.” He told me that this was too good of an opportunity to pass, and that he would lessen my membership from the lifetime membership (the one I must have agreed to spending close to a thousand dollars by saying I'm not sure if I want to join) to the short-term membership.

I tried to back away further, but he pressed harder. “Is it the cost? We don't want you to miss this opportunity because of the cost. I tell you what—I can give you the rate of a charity organization! This means that you get all the standard benefits, but pay the rate of a charity organization.”<

“No,” I said. “I don't think that I am going to join right now. I will look into it some more before I make a decision.”

He said, “If you have already looked at our website, then there is really nothing else to learn.” He sounded like Adolp Hitler's who hadn't had sleep or sex in a month.

“I'm sorry. I'm just not interested right now.”

now I had been contemplating being a little more obvious in my decision by hanging up, but she beat me to the punch.

PLEASE BEWARE OF THIS SCAM!!!

[Silverrain]

Ouch... sounds like the Poetry.com racket.

[freynolds]

They are at it again. I got the phone call yesterday. Luckily I was determined not to commit to anything until I had a confirmation in writing of benefits, costs and advantages as well as some research into the company. Lo and behold I was told that I could only commit there and then. Which, obviously I did not!

[firefly1234]

Hi - I just received a phone call from the same group - they are very slick. The caller, a very professional sounding person with a bit of an upper class British accent - same deal. Makes the interviewee feel wonderful (meaning me!) then hits you with the membership offer. And you can only commit right there and then. Really difficult to shake free from the caller as well as he keeps trying to entice you with other less expensive offers. If you happen to have call display the number I had calling me was 718-274-7646. It's a New York area code, but of course, not listed.

[bwh1]

Stay Away From Them.

Wherever you would like to figure in a directory, just register.

THere are Free and payed ones, the most famous is Yahoo directory which charges about $300 a year.

But you need to know for what you will be there. Do you run a business ?

Try to keep cool with them and let them spend money to call you. Give the phone to your dog.

Just NEVER give you CC details.

G.

[Glooch]

I live in the UK and have just been sent an email to my work address offering me possible inclusion into the Emerald Who's Who for Executives and Professionals. It came from someone called Anthony Miller. (amiller@ewwep.com). This person claims to a Research Director. The address for the company is 954 3rd Avenue, Suite 817 NY, New York 10022.
I was given two hyper links to sign up however both URL's could not be accessed through my work's network. 'Access Denied' was the message. Also the link to not receive any future emails from Emerald was also Access Denied.
I printed the email out of curisosity and thought I'd try to find out more through this web site.
I have read with interest the other links on this site and it just confirmed my original thought - SCAM, or at least not as good as it sounds, payment required.
I find it hard to believe that I would qualify for this type of publication, bearing in mind my job and why I would want to be included in what I assume in a directory for the North American market.
I think the research director should perhaps do some more research on who they are inviting before sending out hopeful emails.
Fortunately I've not given them any information but I suspect they have my phone number from somewhere so I might get a call from them at some time. At least I know what's coming and if I have the time I might spin them along, just for fun. Needless to say though, you won't be finding me their Directory.

[heartkwt]

I too have been a victim of the Emerald Who's Who.

I received a phone call while out of the country and an interview, over the mobile/cell while on roaming outside the country, was conducted. The call ended costing me over US $ 76.

I was sooo excited, thrilled and honored. WHAT A FOOL WAS I.

I too was told of some membership called Emerald, which cost US $ 596 or a 5 years membership of US $ 696.

The caller, a lady, continued if the money is a constraint, there is another offer @ US $ 196 for one year. She asked me for my Credit Card details.

THAT'S WHEN I WOKE UP.

She said she is calling from Emerald offices in the US. When I asked him where in the US, she said in New York (she picked a city I know) specifically in Manhattan (again, I know Manhattan) and she even gave me her direct number. as she would be my program director.

The number she gave was from the US but the one she was calling from, had the country code of Kuwait. That is where I was heading the next day. Everyone knows New York works 9 to 5 she called me around 07:40 am. As she went on, things got more and more obvious.

Since I was out of station, I said I am in a meeting and that she should call me in 2 & 1/2 hours, which she did. I just neglected the call.

When I came to Kuwait, I realized that the call was made from an IP phone.

Now upon searching, I stumbled onto this article.

Scampers are getting more and more creative and coming up with newer and newer ways to steal.

I will urge everyone to be very careful.

Good luck everyone.

[kirstytx]

I just got their email this morning. I have been recognized by the other Who's Who and when it said it was not affiliated with it I wanted to do some research because something seemed fishy about it. Then I came across your forum. I am glad I did because I have heard that speech from another group I can't remember. Thanks for all your posts to confirm my suspicions. I hope more people get informed.

[dataminer]

The New York corporate registration information for Emerald Who's Who gives an address that turns out to be a residence in the Whitestone section of Queens.

The WhoIs info for emeraldwhoswho.com and ewwep.com also gives a residential address, this one on Long Island, and an email address at spiderwebdeveloping.com.

Spiderwebdeveloping.com's website is "under redesign," but if you do a "view source," you'll find the same phone number and e-mail as Emerald.

Silverrain's comment that this "sounds like the Poetry.com racket" is on target. There are lots of these kinds of directories, including the "Best Lawyers in America" and "Best Doctors in America." They appeal to people's egos and in most cases provide a plaque you can hang in your office, for a fee of course. And there are some variations in which you just get the plaque, which says you've been named "Best of" in your hometown, or some such.

None of these "honors" has any standing whatsoever. At best, they're just naked marketing ploys. At worst, you pay your fee and don't even get the crappy directory or fake award.

[luvs2dkr8]

Thank you for posting. I received an email, actually my boss got the email with my name in the salutation so he forwarded it to me. Apparently their researchers are not too bright to send the email to the wrong person.

I checked out Better Business Bureau and was surprised not to find any report or complaint about this company. So I googled it and stumble on this website.

Thanks for this post, you have helped a lot of people. In this day and age, companies like this try to take as much as they can of our hard earned $. What a shame on them!

[jayehmke]

Here's the email I just got:

Jason,

Congratulations!

It is my pleasure to inform you that on January 4th, 2010 your professional information was reviewed and accepted for inclusion in the 2010 edition of our Distinguished Professionals Hardcover Publication.

Distinguished Professionals recognizes and selects key executives & professionals in all disciplines and industries for outstanding business achievements.

This recognition is shared by those who have reached the highest level of success in their chosen profession.

Please take a moment to complete the invitation by clicking on the link below.

http://www.distinguishedprofessional....net/index.php

(note that if you go to the URL by copy and pasting, it shows a page like you've already clicked on an invitation link)

** Please complete our online form by January 31st, 2010.

Distinguished Professionals is pleased to inform you that there are NO fees or dues to be included in our publication.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and our esteemed staff, we wish you continued success.

Sincerely,
Robert Patterson
Vice President, Research Division
Distinguished Professionals Publications
26 Bond Street
Westbury, NY 11590

We only support ethical email marketing. To remove yourself from future mailings, please visit here to use our automated removal system. You will be removed from our mailing database within seven (7) days. 11902

[Kevin04]

Originally Posted by jay143

Emerald Who's Who Scam.. Buyer Beware of this internet scam!! Read This VERY CAREFULLY, enjoy! The other day I received an email with an invitation to accept an appointment as a “biographical candidate” in the Emerald Who's Who registry of “accomplished individuals”. I checked out their website and found that it did contain a few biographies of professionals in the same industry as i am in.

So I made the effort of accepting. I thought that it must be some kind of honor. Then I received no reply and figured that I must not be that accomplished after all.

Then one day I was at my desk writing when I received a phone call from a fairly professional-sounding man. The conversation that followed went something like this:

Man: “Hello Mr..... Let me be the first to congratulate you on your acceptance into the Emerald Who's Who Registry. We want you to know that we have selected you on the merits of your work and accomplishments. After our team of researchers has reviewed your accomplishments, we find it a great honor to include you in our directory.

“First let me personally congratulate you on your fine work. After your acceptance into the Emerald Who's Who Registry, you will be part of a network of professionals and distinguished individuals who stand out in their respective fields.

“As part of your membership, you will be eligible to be published in our online registry as well as physically published directories. Your biography will be available for other professionals around the world to view. This is an excellent networking tool.”

I was now feeling very warm and fuzzy inside. Wow… they think I'm a really outstanding person!

The man then interviewed me. He asked me to explain how I became so accomplished in my field, how I became so successful, etc., etc. I took a deep breath of pride and spewed out all the things that make me so cool (and left out all the things like my success has not made me rich at all).

He asked, “Will you be using your membership for networking or credibility?”

I explained that I would probably be using it for both. “Being I high school drop-out, I have always had to struggle with public opinion on my credibility…”

I spent thirty or forty minutes talking to him, feeling very proud, when he said, “We offer two levels of membership.”

Suddenly, the whole interview changed perspective for me and I kind of zoned out while he explained the differences between their lifetime membership and lesser membership. I heard something about “eight ninety-nine” which was almost ninety times more than a ten-dollar filing fee.

He said something about plane tickets and networking opportunities and a really cool certificate of membership and media kits to share with media about my accomplishment.

I shyly interrupted, “I am not so sure about this. I was under the assumption that I was being honored with a recognition instead of being sold something.” I wondered how a certificate I paid for was going to add credibility to my name.

He said, “You are honored with being grouped with executives and professionals from around the world.”

He then started telling me more about the membership benefits.

I said, “I don't think I really want to do this. I will have to think about it.”

He seemed taken aback. “This isn't an offer that we can negotiate. We have thousands of professionals to deal with. We can't take the time to negotiate with potential membership. It's a one-time deal.”

He then said, “Will you be paying with Visa or MasterCard?”

I said, “Well, I don't think I am interested right now.”

He said, “Let me tell you what… I have the authority to place you on a list here and reserve your plane tickets.” He told me that this was too good of an opportunity to pass, and that he would lessen my membership from the lifetime membership (the one I must have agreed to spending close to a thousand dollars by saying I'm not sure if I want to join) to the short-term membership.

I tried to back away further, but he pressed harder. “Is it the cost? We don't want you to miss this opportunity because of the cost. I tell you what—I can give you the rate of a charity organization! This means that you get all the standard benefits, but pay the rate of a charity organization.”<

“No,” I said. “I don't think that I am going to join right now. I will look into it some more before I make a decision.”

He said, “If you have already looked at our website, then there is really nothing else to learn.” He sounded like Adolp Hitler's who hadn't had sleep or sex in a month.

“I'm sorry. I'm just not interested right now.”

now I had been contemplating being a little more obvious in my decision by hanging up, but she beat me to the punch.

PLEASE BEWARE OF THIS SCAM!!!

[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']Yes I agree this is a scam so BE AWARE. I received the e mail below. Although 'convincing' and personal I've deleted it... Thanks for the heads up..[/font]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']We tried to reach you last year for inclusion into the 2009-2010 edition of Emerald Who's Who for Executives and professionals. Perhaps this email did not reach you the first time or was lost in the shuffle among many that reach your inbox every day. We understand, and for that reason we are extending our invitation to you once again. We encourage you to fill out the online form below in order to proceed with our process. Below is what was sent to you previously. The extension will be through February 5, 2010. I wish you great fortune and much success in this new year. [/font]

[/font]