Theresa
Porterville,#2Consumer Comment
Thu, January 26, 2006
These guys have been ripping off people for YEARS on end. It IS in fact a scam, but Florida laws protect "software developers" and moving companies and the like. NO ONE THAT WE KNOW OF TO THIS DAY HAS EVER TRANSCRIBED FOR WHAT WE LOVINGLY REFER TO IN THE TRANSCRIPTION INDUSTRY AS "TRANS SCAM"!!! See archives of: www.mtchat.com and www.mtstars.com and/or just enter in Google: "trans scam" "trans am" ripoff, etc. The BBB is a MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION in which companies pay to be a part. Don't bother ever using the BBB to research a company. Check with others in the industry and/or research on the Internet yourself. Medical transcription is a 2-year college program. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
Nancy
New Caney,#3Author of original report
Tue, July 27, 2004
Thanks everyone who responded. The "Christian" symbols I alluded to were NOT the cadeusus (sp), but bible quotes, fish symbol and "prayer request board" published on their original website. I note that the last time I "visited" it, it was updated into a business-like site rather than a mom-and-pop company. What they told me was that my work was great and they were looking forward to sending me work as soon as I purchased the necessary software. I even called before I bought it and talked to the owner's husband about my concerns for a scam and he was slick enough to allay my fears and I purchased the software. Just like the others, my software didn't work properly at first; technical support was nearly non-existent; once it finally worked, they wouldn't send me any of their work. They sent me a "sample" file; I transcribed it that day and downloaded it for review and never got a response. Then, after a week of e-mails, I got a response from a "mentor" saying I needed more work on my style and form. In that "assessment", THEY had errors in THEIR transcription that are NOT industry standard. When I pointed those out to them, I got no response. When I e-mailed the software company - no response. When I sent copies of EVERY e-mail and proof of phone calls to BBB, they wrote back saying they had gotten a response from TransAm. I got a letter from TransAm (Linda) stating that basically the things they did were "their policy" and if I don't like it, too bad. They still have NEVER offered to send any work to me. My statement about the local physicians only meant that HAD THEY USED THE EXCUSE THAT THEY WERE ONLY PREPARING YOU FOR A CAREER AS YOUR OWN BOSS, I couldn't or wouldn't have been able to do that either. I bought a new computer and the software is gone...it wouldn't uninstall and I was given no copy (backup) in the event of computer crash, new hardware, etc. As far as the communication...I sent a copy of EVERY e-mail and phone call to BBB and to TransAm and they responded that they didn't know what I was talking about. LINDA is the one who posted the rebuttal on this website saying she was unaware of unanswered communications, but I assure you she got a copy of ALL of it. Her husband is the one I talked to on the phone and I'm pretty sure he's also the "DOCTOR" transcribing on the practice tapes. It's a big scam and they did not produce the service/product that they were advertising, which in my mind is FRAUD. ALSO, I received a copy of a letter addressed to someone in AZ (I think) and it was from their attorney. I assume her point was to inform me that they could take legal action against me if I speak badly of them, as in this website, and that they would prosecute to the fullest extent possible. I don't think the letter they sent me was actually the letter intended for me...I suspect it was to another person who had posted like me to BBB and here OR had informed them of her intent to let people know to watch out for them and this letter was to intimidate her into being quiet. Believe me, if I could post to the entire WORK AT HOME community to watch out for them, I would. I have every right to tell people my personal experience with them and I can back up every action with proof, so they can't touch me. If they want a fight, bring it on. I'm sick of people making money off people who are struggling but want to invest in themselves for a better future and end up throwing away money that they really can't afford to lose. The "little" guy in America always gets the shaft and I'm tired of it. No matter how careful you are, there's someone out there who's slick enough to convince you that it's legit and coax you into giving it "one last try"!!! I was a sucker, I admit; but I was suspicious going in and asked all the right questions and did research the company's background before I went in and there were NO WARNING SIGNS and they were slick enough to allay my fears. I would like to contact any of you that are in my same boat....I just don't know how we "connect".
Darren
Neenah,#4Consumer Suggestion
Sun, July 25, 2004
Linda, I believe what the original poster, Nancy, was saying was that she completed the training and was accepted for use as a medical transcriptionist by your company. However, since she wasn't getting accounts from you she was hoping to do transcription work for local doctors using the software she bought. But, she found that that wasn't possible or feasable. According to your website... "Those MTs who meet our standard rate of accuracy will be the first to be assigned to new accounts coming onboard." This, to me, means that she would be expecting to get work from your company in which she could work from home as a transcriber. I believe that your not understanding what she was saying was disingenious, and a way to deflect people from the real issues. Let's put it simply... did Nancy successfully pass the test and was she expecting to have transcribing work done through your company? Was work provided? As an aside, it is possible that the "Christian" symbol was actually the Caduceus. It is possible that someone would make this mistake without knowing the full story behind its history and meaning. However, instead of explaining this, you once again try to deflect the intent of her complaint by obscuring it with your reply. You shoud have known exactly what she was saying. Thanks,
Reid
Aiea,#5Consumer Suggestion
Sat, July 24, 2004
Hey Everyone, I hope that this rebuttal finds you in good spirit and health. TCT is obviously NOT a legitimate agency. Legitimate agencies NEVER charge upfront fees. Why should anyone pay an agency a fee, before any service has been rendered? Legitimate agencies profit ONLY after they have found a client work. After all, that's the ONLY reason why people seek agents in the first place. Legitimate agencies are entitled to profit from clients royalties, risiduals, or any pre detemined amount, in which has been agreed upon by both client and agency. This of course, is ONLY after an agency has found it's client work in the industry. Legitimate agencies are NEVER interested in profiting from upfront fees, Especially if they're unable to justify the fees. Legitimate agencies are NEVER interested in marketing photography, websites, portfolio, etc, etc, for this is NOT their area of expertise, therefore none their concern. Any and all agencies that try to justify the sales of such services are scams and only interested in profiting from enrollments. This has been proven many times before. Internet marketing, along with any and all other types of professional marketing, are entirely optional, and if an agency is adamant about selling such a service, it should and would pick up any and all of the expenses themselves. It's part of there advertising and marketing campaign, so why should a client or clients pick up any of these expenses? Especially without having some of guarantee? SOME THINGS TO PONDER: Would anyone ever agree to pay Coca Cola for their marketing expenses and the airing of their commercials? Of course not!! So why should they an agency? Did anyone's employer ever suggest to them, that they dish out money to help pay for their company's advertising? Clients are the commodity in any and all legitimate agencies, therefore, I hate nothing more than hearing such things as "you have to market yourself". That's bull!! Legitimate agencies profit by rendering a service, which is placing their clients in jobs, therefore, any marketing is the responsibility of the agency. Even a simple snapshot (preferably headshot) is acceptable and would suffice for a legitimate agency and or casting director. SOMETHING TO PONDER: Even the world's fugliest person, would be considered a prince or princess, in the eyes of someone or scam agency, that's really ONLY interested in profiting $500.00-$950.00. SOMETHING TO REMEMBER: Cuba Gooding said it best in the movie Jerry Mcguire, "show me the money". If an agency insists on perpetuating a scam, by charging unjustified upfront fees, the very least it could do is offer a written and signed GUARATEE in good faith. A written and signed guarantee would also make clients feel comfortable in knowing that he or she are defininily going to receive something of value in return for their investment. Another important document that all clients should receive, is full agency disclosure, which gives each and all clients the absolute success to failure ratio (stats) of the agency. Until next time, take care everyone cause I care, Aloha from Hawaii and God Bless. P.S. A few legitimate responses, that matter, are not filled with nothing but excuses, not posted by shills, and has at very least something to do with this discussion would be nice to see for a change.
Jennifer
West Bend,#6UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sat, July 24, 2004
yes, i got my "software" which never downloaded right and they refused to give my $300 back! now i've heard that they are charging $600 for this so called software. i also filed with the bbb and the said they would do everything possibel- except of course refund my money!! i needed a job to make money- i didn't get a job to pay my employer! and they are clever, they say that this software is thourgh an "affliate". yeah right!! i am not religious and i have more morals than this "christian" company! i feel sorry for all those devoted christians out there, that have jerks like this associating there religion with a scam. i would like everybody to email me who has been scammed by this company- i vote we all take them to court- or at least let me get your statements. we can take them down as a team! let's do it! Contact me: [Place your comments below and be sure to include your FULL contact information so Rip-off Report can contact you.]
Linda
Valrico,#7UPDATE Employee
Thu, June 10, 2004
Could you clarify what Christian symbols are used to reel people in and where these symbols were used? Those who work for us and those we train transcribe digital files that are transferred on a certified 128 bit encrypted site. Nowhere is it stated or implied that as a subcontractor would the transcriptionists would be working for local doctors. An individual could work for a local doctor if the physician uses a digital handheld. A transcriptionist can apply what she learns and use the medical references provided in working for a local doctor, if that is what her ultimate goal is. Our intent is to sharpen one's skills to work for Tras Am or other transcription companies who use the Internet. Nancy started with our program in August of 2003 and wrote a complaint to the BBB March 1, 2004. We would like to see her come back with us and continue, as we feel we could help her meet her goals. We are not aware of any unanswered communication from Nancy. If she could forward copies of these unanswered communications to whomever she wrote them to, we will certainly look into the issue of non-response. Sincerely, AMA Trans Am Corporation