Complaint Review: www.goingplatinum.com

It is totally unbelievable to me that anyone in their right mind would still believe anything that Alan Catalan and his family would have to say. This man has continuously lied and made promises not kept to the membership for 4 YEARS.
"Launching SOON" was all we EVER heard. To this day, it has still never fully "launched".

I am a founding grandfathered bronze member, and I paid the $25 fee when I joined to become a bronze member. I also paid for two other people as well. The concept was brilliant, and I got swept up in it. But, I if I had listened to my voice of reason, that if it sounds too good to be true it isn't, I wouldn't have lost hundreds of dollars with this ongoing Fraud, and my reputation too.

I also paid into the Platinum Rush for myself and one other person. I paid the initial $25/month, then the $19.99/month when it was reduced. I did this for nearly one year. I kept seeing the commissions in my back office increase, and at no time were they ever available for requesting. I paid and paid into this Fraud, and never saw as much as a penny out of it.

The Going Platinum site also blatantly stated you could be a FREE member without having to pay anything. You would have to upgrade to use Premier services such as the platinum office, ISP, and other various money making "deals" within the site. The tracker took over a year, and when it did go up, it never worked right. I never could get the ISP to work, and the platinum office servers lost more emails and took as many as 4 or 5 days to deliver an email. It was a nightmare.

Support is virtually non-existent. And they are very arrogant when they did reply, which would take weeks and numerous emails to get a response if you were lucky. I gave up trying to phone them. The phone would ring constantly, no answer, or would have a busy signal.

Due to a financial problem that came up due to my being temporarily disabled due to an injury, I had to stop paying the monthly fees for myself and one other person. I could no longer log in to my back office, or use any of the services they offer to the "Free" members. I sent numerous emails to Alan, Jon, and Doris with no replies. I threatened legal action, and Doris sent me an email with a very arrogant response that unless I pay for the service, I am locked out. What happened to being able to be a "Free" member? That question went totally ignored and unanswered.
There is nothing "free" about it if you have to PAY for the service. I have no recourse.

I am concerned that they have my social security number, and that of the other people I paid for, too. I can't get any proof that these people cancelled my account, or any proof that they don't still have our social security numbers. I am very nervous about them having access to my personal information. I watch my bank account daily, and check my credit reports monthly to insure that these unscrupulous people do not try and use my information in an identity theft scenario. I would strongly advise other people to do the same.

I know I will never see any money from Alan or any of his workers (if he even has any left).
All his promises were nothing but lies and deceit. He is a smooth talking con-man, and I hope the SEC can do something to get this man off the internet and lining his pockets with other's hard earned monies. And now I see he is making a carbon copy of the Going Platinum Fraud with another site called "Webinfinity". This man needs to be stopped, and unfortunately it takes too long in the USA to get any justice. Meanwhile these scammers continue to make millions from their schemes.

I have been totally embarrassed because I recommended this site to many people, including family members. It has caused me to lose a great deal of money, and the respect of other people and family members.

I am still not believing after everything they see and hear from people who have been hurt, that there are still members who continue to exploit this fraud to others and still follow this con-man and support him. As far as I am concerned, that makes them just as guilty as Alan himself.

I have been a member of Going Platinum since July 2001. I am not filing a rip off report because I don't currently feel like a victim. I am however responding because I am a witness to the behaviors that, very legitimately, have led to consumers feeling victimized by this company.

To clear up, since I joined Going Platinum did advertise and offer free unlimited ISP service. This service as well as access to their bulletin boards, e-mail accounts, and most other member areas dried up some months later. I received no communication about this.

I thought the company went belly-up or later though it basically took my twenty-five dollars and changed everything so the ONLY way to get any information was to pay more money. This was the only way to access the previous free areas. There was no other way to keep up with what was happening. I did not pay it and wrote off the $25 dollars in my mind as a price paid for internet service as if I had gotten juno. My links stopped working.

Periodically I went back to check the website but found nothing more than non-responsive graphics and changing policies that requested more monies. I didn't have time to worry about it. For most of 2002 I forgot about it. I recently went back feeling, if they're still like that I should try to get my money back.

When I went I was pleasantly surprised to find the website much changed and programs working. I went through the website and started to get sucked into thinking that I should pay the "discounted" rate for Premier Plan with internet access. (by the way after this this was the first time I received corespondence from going platinum since late 2001). Before I did this I checked out the bulletin boards. There I found exactly this month (June 2003) the same as I did in July 2001. Members were complaining that services did not work, payment was not being made, promises were being broken, and launch dates for services were being pushed back, and excuses, excuses. I also found extremely disturbing that anyone who posted a complaint was immediately attacked with posts similiar to that found in this thread.

Dissenters were insulted, degraded, invalidated, and flamers closed their eyes to the dearth of information suggesting that the company was not the above board co-operative wave of the future promised. They put a fear in posters from saying anything contrary to RAH RAH, GP and Alan catalan are saviors, and a visionary. (I don't post for that reason) I stay, because like them I still have hope. However, I take it all with a large grain of salt. The premise sounds good, and workable, but it seems that the creators cannot, will not, or never intended on making good on their promises. I recommend if you are part of or interested in GP DO NOT give them ANY money for anything until they are fully operational and make good on their promises. They have a free option. Downgrade or try that.

They do now have some services. I am there and will continue to be there until they terminate my account (there is some evidence on the boards that they terminate the accounts of those who raise warnings) and can serve as a witness, though minor.

I have been a daily active member of Goingplatinum since January 13th of 2001.By my calculations that makes me a member for almost 27 months and I am active within the site almost daily since that date.In my opinion this fact fully qualifies me to make the following statements about my mostly positive experience while being a paying member of this online co-op community that not only offers ISP access but several ways to earn money while doing the things I've always done on the internet and some.

I initially payed what was called a one time $25.00 fee to become an active member of this site and community that offered free life time internet access and up to 400 ways to earn from my daily internet activity.I since have become a monthly subscriber to the site as a grandfathered member at a cost of $4.95 per month for my membership subscription cost and could pay $9.95 per month if I choose to include the available ISP .(Newer members have several other subscription member level options available starting from $9.95 per month.)This change of cost has occured as a result of the changes taking place across the internet that affect many if not all ISPs and online services providers that were obviously based on the online economic atmosphere which resulted several years ago in the demize of many dot coms in the very competetive isp market.

These changes occured with full communications from the company either directly from members of staff or by way of the bulletinboards/forums moderators who volunteer their services as loyal,knowledgable individuals who choose to help the concept and community members move ahead in a positive,unconfusing and comfortable atmosphere so all members may reap many of the benefits outlined in the original business plan.

Several of the initial aspects of the original business plan have changed in order to keep the overall plan alive and has required some very creative manuevering to accomplish that goal.I am in full agreement with those changes as they do keep my interest and security in mind as well as keeping the initial concept of the program alive and well.

The GP concept has never in my experience required any thought of getting rich quick but has been from the very beggining a 5 year plan to develop a program that would pay it's members to do the very things many people today already do on the internet such as e-mailing,playing online games, participating in chatrooms,reading the daily news,keeping informed about stocks issues and many more current and planned earnings features.These features have been and are being implemented regularly to the site which is one of many reasons I believe GP to be as above board as any other proven online company in the past and present.

GP will retain my loyalty and interest till my personal experience becomes less than satisfactory which I donot feel will happen in the foreseeable future based on my 27 month experience with Going Platinum.

Hey, all you MLM smoke blowers, read & rebut THIS!

SEC FILES ACTION TO ENFORCE SUBPOENAS AGAINST
GOING PLATINUM, INC. AND ALAN H. CATALAN,

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Litigation Release No. 17234 / November 15, 2001

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION v. GOING PLATINUM, INC. AND ALAN H. CATALAN, NO. 01-MC-222 (RK) (E.D. PA)

SEC FILES ACTION TO ENFORCE SUBPOENAS AGAINST GOING PLATINUM, INC. AND ALAN H. CATALAN

On November 14, 2001, the Commission filed an application to enforce two subpoenas that had been issued to Going Platinum, Inc. and Alan H. Catalan. The subpoenas, which were served on August 14, 2001, seek documents relating to the Commission's investigation into whether Going Platinum, Inc. and Catalan have engaged in a fraudulent scheme to sell unregistered securities over the Internet. The securities at issue appear to be part of a Ponzi or pyramid scheme, under which members of certain programs offered on Respondents' website, GoingPlatinum.com, are led to expect exorbitant returns on an initial investment of $25.

Going Platinum, Inc. and Catalan refused to produce the subpoenaed documents, despite being given three extensions of time in which to do so.

A hearing date on the Commission's application will be scheduled.

For tips on how to avoid Internet "pump and dump" stock manipulation schemes, visit
http://www.sec.gov/investor/online/pump.htm.

For more information about Internet fraud,
http://www.sec.gov/divisions/enforce/
internetenforce.htm.

To report suspicious activity involving possible Internet fraud, visit
http://www.sec.gov/complaint.shtml.

http://www.sec.gov/litigation/
litreleases/lr17234.htm

First, to reply to your theory that Going Platinum is a ripoff - a ripoff is a simple front to induce people to hand over money, and then shut down everything and take off with the money. This does not apply to Going Platinum, although changes have been made that would cause concern. Allow me to explain my personal situation:

When I signed up for Going Platinum in November of 2000, I signed up my entire family of 5 in the program which required a $25 sign up fee for each person, and beginning with the launch we would have free internet access for life. The program has changed since then. The ebusiness bubble burst and a lot of Going Platinum's partners in launch went under.

In order to move foward, the program was changed so that all new members would be required to pay a monthly fee to cover cost of the isp. People were urged by Going Platinum to change their websites to reflect this.

It is logical to assume not everyone had. Although this is a shame, it is correctable and I still believe Going Platinum to be a legitimate business and internet opportunity.

My family and I have been "grandfathered" in, and I am looking foward to the official launch of Going Platinum, where my family will have free access for life. We were fortunate to get in early enough to get this program, but I myself have a hard time promoting this when it is not fully operational in the intended way yet. I can see where your concerns come from, however I believe they are, ultimately, unfounded

Whomever gave you this information on GP is not telling the whole truth. The social security information was for the members fair reporting of their earnings to Social Security after the earnings reached $600, as required. The submission of the Social Security number is now when one reaches that amount, I believe.

The free internet service provider (isp) was never meant to be anything but a benefit of membership. It still is a benefit for Premier Members. Some changes in the pre-launch company had to be made after the national financial blow last fall, following the Sept. 11 explosion. Also, the changes in online investments helped the company to have to change some of its plans.

The full Going Platinum plan has always been a five year, international online community plan.
Rather than a ripoff, Going Platinum is an opportunity for you and me to benefit from a new business, rather than padding the pockets of the inventors and CEOS and Officers at the expense of the membership. Any plan expense will be partially returned to the Going Platinum Community, as always.

The GPC has yet to launch, as is all of the money making opportunities within the program. However, the evidence presented and launched, and that completed and in construction, more than disqualifies your report of a ripoff.

Any fee based memberships currently in operation is based on members joining particular plans. The free signup and earnings upon launch is still available. Members can join for free, now. Never was money required for signing up.

I am a member and have been,officially, since February, 2001. The first members could join was October, 2000, if I remember correctly.
I have been there since almost the beginning. I have been through the different delays and changes, so I know of what I mention. I do continue to support Going Platinum as the best available on the internet market today. Any who have decided to quit before the promised launch and become bitter, have done so at their own expense. Launch was promised, not that launch would definitely happen on a specific date. Dates may have been mentioned, but only in reference to goals. When specific problems develop and interfere with the completion of projects, dates have to be delayed. No one likes it, but we all either choose to wait in patience, and some choose to wait impatiently, and some choose to bail out and become vindictive. And perhaps some have chosen to bail out and Not be vindictive.

Of all the frustrations I have witnessed, none compares to the vindictive bitterness some have used to bring this idea down, while those in the know how have continued to work steadily and openly with the project and the remaining members.

I do dispute the report of goingplatinum.com being a ripoff. This is expected to be the next big internet business. Come on board and find out for yourself. The unlimited isp, platinum office, forums, and chatrooms are currently available. Auction, eventually three malls, and other developments will be available.

Please correct your falacious report.

It is indeed some of our fellow members that are promoting GP as a free internet service. Going Platinum is yet to do any of their own advertising and does not claim to be a free internet service. The company is waiting until its launch until it starts its own advertising.

When the company first launched the SSN was required however it has been almost a year now since the SSN has been required at registration. Members will no longer be asked for their SSN until such time that their earnings reach $600 which is when the IRS requires you to report the income.

DEAR SIRS
I AM A MEMBER OF GOINGPLATINUM AND I WISH TO PLACE ON RECORD MY VIEWS THIS COMPANY HAS BEEN NOTHING SHORT OF OPEN AND HONEST WITH ITS MEMBES PROMISING NOTHING IT HAS OR IS NOT IN THE PROCESS OF PROVIDING, UNFORTUNATLY LIKE MANY OTHER DOT COM COMPANIES A VARIETY OF EVENTS DURING THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS ALMOST CAUSED THE DEMIZE OF THIS COMPANY,THEY COULD HAVE CLOSED THE DOOR AND SAID GOODBYE, THE DIRECTORS WHERE AND ARE OPEN AND HONEST WITH US ALL, WE WHERE TOLD THE COMPANIES POSITION AND THAT THEY HAD DECIDED TO TRY AND CONTINUE WITH THE COMPANY BUT IT WOULD BE IN A DIFFERENT FORM THAN THAT ORIGINALY STARTED BUT THE END RESULT WOULD BE THE SAME, FOR THE MEMBERS, WE HAVE BEEN CONTINUALLY UPDATED AS TO WHAT IS HAPPENING AND THE COMPANY IS OPEN TO ANY TELEPHONE CALLS OR VISITS AND HAS BEEN VISITED BY MANY MEMBERS.
I PERSONNELY HAVE BEEN PAID MANY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS OVER THE PAST TWELVE MONTHE, (THE RECORDS ARE AVIALABLE FOR INSPECTION), I HAVE THIS MONTH RECEIVED A PAYMENT REPORT FOR THIS MONTH SHOWING THE LATEST PAYMENT DUE.

THERE ARE, UNFORTUNATLY A SMALL NUMBER OF SILLY PEOPLE WHO DEMAND, ME ME ME, RESPONSES FROM THE COMPANY, AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF MISGUIDED INDIVIDUALS WHO PRINT AND POST INFORMATION THAT IS NOT CORRECT, THE COMPANY HAS DURING ITS ENTIRE LIFE TIME TOLD MEMBERS CLEARLY, DO NOT ADVERTISE WHAT IS NOT TRUE, AND DO NOT COMMITT MONEY TO THE COMPANY YOU CAN NOT AFFORD TO SPEND, THIS IS A LONG TERM START UP PROJECT, THAT IS STILL IN ITS PRE-START UP STAGES, IT HAS NOT LAUNCHED YET.
THE MEMBERS WE HAVE ARE PRE-LAUNCHED INVITED MEMBERS, WHO WILL AND HAVE BEEN PAID DURING THE LIFE OF THE COMPANY AND WHO STAND TO BENEFIT IN A BIGGER WAY WHEN THE COMPANY LAUNCHES, HOPEFULLY IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

IT IS A FACT THAT WE WILL ALWAYS IN LIFE FIND THE DOUBTERS, AND THOSE WHO WIL GO TO ANY STEPS TO PROVE THEY HAVE BEEN RIPPED OFF, UNFORTUNATLY THEY NEVER WANT TO TELL THE REAL FACTS, MR ALAN CATALAN IS AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS WE HAVE, AND AS TO ONLY WANTING YOUR MONEY, WELL HE HAS STATED MANY TIMES IF YOU CANT AFFORDIT JOIN AS A FREE MEMBER AND WAIT FOR LAUNCH, ALSO DO NOT SPEND MONEY ON ADVERTISING THE COMPANY DOES NOT WANT YOU TO, WE WILL ADVERTISE WHEN WE LAUNCH. AS TO SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS, NO ONE WANTED MINE, IT ONLY APPLIED TO USA MEMBERS, BECAUSE THE LAW REQUIRED IT SO, NOW THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN CHANGED SO NO ONE NEEDS TO SUPPLY THE SS NUMBER UNTILL THEY REACH A LEVEL OF PAYMENT THAT REQUIRES IT BY LAW.

I FEEL IT IS WRONG TO PLACE THE GOOD NAME OF PEOPL AND THE COMPANY IN JEPORDE JUST BECAUSE YOU DO NOT KNOW THE FACTS, THE COMPANY HAS STARTED TO RELASE THE PROGRAMME IN A STAGED MANY, WE HAVE EMAIL, OFFICE, FRONT PORTAL PAGES, SEARCH ENGINES , MORE CONNECT PORTS BEING IMPLEMENTED AS WE SPEAK FOR THE ISP CONNECTIO, AND MANY THOUSANDS OF MEMBERS WITH INTERNET ACCSES, SUPPLIES BY GOING PLATINUM. AND MANY MORE PROJECTED ITEMS ARE COMING ON LINE AS WE MOVE THROUGH MAY AND JUNE, AUCTION SITE CHAT SERVICE, SHOPPING LINKED TO A PERSONNEL PAYMENT RACKER ETC, THE LIST GOES ON, DOES THIS REALLY SOUND LIKE A COMPANY SET ON RIPPING MEMBERS OFF, THOUSANDS OF NEW MEMBERS HAVE JOINED SINCE THE COMPANY HAS COME BACK ON LINE AFTER THE PROBLEMS THAT BESET IT, DOES THAT SOUND LIKE A COMPANT SET ON RIPPING MEMBERS OF.
I DO NOT FEEL YOUR COMMENTS ARE JUST, IM SURE MANY THOUSANDS OF OTHERS WOULD BE GLAD TO PROVIDE YOU WITH FURTHER DETAILED INFOR MATION, I WILL, WITH YUOUR CONSENT PASS ALONG THE DETAILS AND ASK THEM TO VISIT YOUR SITE AND COMMENT.

REGARDS

MIKE ALDRIDGE
CLIFTOP
GOINGPLATINUM SINCE SEPTEMBER 1999.