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QuoteSource Direct/Mark Flores RIPOFF ARTIST west covina, California
Well it looks like I also can be added to the list of folks that have been ripped off by this guy. I too responded to the Craigslist ad in early November 2012 looking for "Licensed Life Agents -- no more commuting and work all via your home office". Well it did sound enticing so I fired off my email/resume and received one back stating the President, Mark Flores, would be personally calling me in the next day or so.
Spoke with Mark, VERY smooth and professional sounding. Said just the right things to make me feel confident enough to take the next step. He sent email with the contracting paperwork and the request for an initial deposit of $450 for "the first batch of leads but don't worry, you will be receiving a refund after your first 5 submitted apps. Hell, you'll probably even get the refund before you get your credit card bill!!" So, I jumped through his hoops. Fired off the deposit via paypal, and waited. A few days later I received the email with Mutual of Omaha contracting paperwork as well as their illustration software. Things looked good, moving forward so no flags. Even participated in his new "conference webinar" which should myself and about 28 other individuals on the webinar. This could just have been me and 28 of his Facebook friends now that I think back!
Now its getting to be December, about a full month from me submitting my deposit and appointment paperwork and I have yet to hear back from him. I send an email, almost immediately I get a new email from DirectSource stating "Hey guys, I know you all are anxious to move forward and I'm chomping at the bit to get these leads out to you too. I spoke with our Licensing Dept and they are getting backlogged with the holidays etc. They promised me that they will have everyone approved by next Friday at the latest." So I wait....and wait....and now its New Years! I waited until yesterday, January 7th to send an email simply stating, hey Mark I havent heard from you personally in over 5 weeks. I am going to cut the ties with you and your company, obviously I have not been appointed with your carriers nor have I received any leads so let's just part ways and you can forward my refund of the initial $450 to my address provided.
Well guess what I received today in my email inbox......Looks like Mark was in a serious accident in early December and they have been holding off informing the "work force" as to not send a panic amongst the employees. It's likely that he will make a long-term recovery, but in the meantime, he will not be coming back to work and therefore they will be temporarily closing the office.
Now, if in fact he was involved in an accident, I honestly wish him the best and a speedy recovery. BUT....seems a little too "coincidental" that I happen to get this accident email the day after I request a refund!!
I have taken the steps and filed a formal complaint through PayPal, my own credit card company and will be meeting on Wednesday with someone from the Dept of Insurance.
Looking back, I do feel like a moron and hope this could possibly serve notice to others not to fall for these same traps. Sounded like a great opportunity but seriously, I have to send YOU money to give ME a job??? Should have been my warning sigh!!
Take care,
TC
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Agent55
Kennesaw,Georgia,
United States of America
In response to the report about Mark Flores being in an accident....
#2Consumer Comment
Tue, January 08, 2013
If Mark Flores was in an accident in December and recuperating, then how did I speak with him on 12/28/13???? I responded to a Craig's list ad as did everyone else. After contacting him via email, he called me to discuss the "opportunity". The only difference between what he told me and what everyone else has reported is that he was only charging me $200 instead of $450.
Luckily, I looked at the Ripoff Report site before going forward with my application and sending him money. The reason I looked at this site is because he said I would receive my $200 deposit back in the form of a "bonus" after writing my first 5 apps, but there was no wording in the payment contract he sent to me stating that the deposit was refundable. In fact, it clearly stated that it was "NON" refundable. I smelled a rat immediately. Also, when he first emailed the documents, it stated that I was to pay $450 like everyone else is stating in these RO reports. But he told me it was only $200 when we spoke. I emailed him asking him about the difference in price and he immediately emailed me a new contract with the price changed to $200, stating that he forgot to give me the "new form with the reduced price" ???? Again, no stipulation stated regarding a refund of my deposit.
Stay AWAY from this guy. This is clearly a scam.