Former Employee
Cote Saint Luc,#2Consumer Suggestion
Thu, April 22, 2010
OTTAWA, April 12, 2010 The Competition Bureau announced today that criminal charges were laid against three Montreal brothers and six companies allegedly involved in deceptive telemarketing activities related to business directory scams.
The brothers, Gordon Frank (53), Theodore Frank (49) and Sean Frank (43), are alleged to have operated a telemarketing operation that targeted businesses and not-for-profit organizations in the United States, France and the United Kingdom.
The charges stem from a Bureau investigation into criminal deceptive telemarketing by a group of corporations led by the Frank brothers, collectively known as Infotel. The accused operated telemarketing offices in Toronto, St. Johns and Montreal. These activities are estimated to have generated approximately $60 million in revenue between 1999 and 2004.
The Competition Bureau alleges that the Frank brothers companies contacted businesses and not-for-profit organizations misrepresenting themselves as the victims regular supplier of business directories. The Bureau also alleges that Infotel telemarketers failed to disclose material information when contacting businesses, including the true purpose of the call.
The Frank brothers conducted the alleged deceptive telemarketing activities under the following names: Infotel Directories Inc., Infotel Publications, Infotel Directories-Toronto, Metropolitan Media, Metropolitan Press and Infotel Canada.
The investigation was conducted with the assistance of the Service de police de la Ville de Montral, the Toronto Strategic Partnership and the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.
Consumers who suspect that they have been victims of deceptive telemarketing are encouraged to contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency that contributes to the prosperity of Canadians by protecting and promoting competitive markets and enabling informed consumer choice.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Gabrielle Tass
A/Senior Communications Advisor
Public Affairs Branch
819-953-7734
OTTAWA, April 12, 2010 The Competition Bureau announced today that criminal charges were laid against three Montreal brothers and six companies allegedly involved in deceptive telemarketing activities related to business directory scams.
The brothers, Gordon Frank (53), Theodore Frank (49) and Sean Frank (43), are alleged to have operated a telemarketing operation that targeted businesses and not-for-profit organizations in the United States, France and the United Kingdom.
The charges stem from a Bureau investigation into criminal deceptive telemarketing by a group of corporations led by the Frank brothers, collectively known as Infotel. The accused operated telemarketing offices in Toronto, St. Johns and Montreal. These activities are estimated to have generated approximately $60 million in revenue between 1999 and 2004.
The Competition Bureau alleges that the Frank brothers companies contacted businesses and not-for-profit organizations misrepresenting themselves as the victims regular supplier of business directories. The Bureau also alleges that Infotel telemarketers failed to disclose material information when contacting businesses, including the true purpose of the call.
The Frank brothers conducted the alleged deceptive telemarketing activities under the following names: Infotel Directories Inc., Infotel Publications, Infotel Directories-Toronto, Metropolitan Media, Metropolitan Press and Infotel Canada.
The investigation was conducted with the assistance of the Service de police de la Ville de Montral, the Toronto Strategic Partnership and the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.
Consumers who suspect that they have been victims of deceptive telemarketing are encouraged to contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency that contributes to the prosperity of Canadians by protecting and promoting competitive markets and enabling informed consumer choice.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Gabrielle Tass
A/Senior Communications Advisor
Public Affairs Branch
819-953-7734
Former Employee
Cote Saint Luc,#3UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sat, September 02, 2006
INFOTEL Publications, VERICOM Directories, FRANK FAMILY SCAM Still in Business September 2006. The Franks will run this business no matter what at any location. The Websites still operate. http://www.vericomus.com/ http://www.mediacorp.com/marketing.asp http://www.mediacorp.com/ If it's another name another address, The FRANK Family will defraud your Business out of money.
Former Employee
Cote Saint Luc,#4UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, July 27, 2006
INFOTEL Publications, VERICOM Directories, FRANK FAMILY SCAM Still in Business July 2006. The Franks will run this business no matter what. The Websites still operate. http://www.mediacorp.com/marketing.asp http://www.mediacorp.com/ If it's another name another address, The FRANK Family will defraud your Business out of money.
Former Employee
Cote Saint Luc,#5UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, July 27, 2006
INFOTEL Publications, VERICOM Directories, FRANK FAMILY SCAM Still in Business July 2006. The Franks will run this business no matter what. The Websites still operate. http://www.mediacorp.com/marketing.asp http://www.mediacorp.com/ If it's another name another address, The FRANK Family will defraud your Business out of money.
Former Employee
Cote Saint Luc,#6UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, July 27, 2006
INFOTEL Publications, VERICOM Directories, FRANK FAMILY SCAM Still in Business July 2006. The Franks will run this business no matter what. The Websites still operate. http://www.mediacorp.com/marketing.asp http://www.mediacorp.com/ If it's another name another address, The FRANK Family will defraud your Business out of money.
Former Employee
Cote Saint Luc,#7UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, July 27, 2006
INFOTEL Publications, VERICOM Directories, FRANK FAMILY SCAM Still in Business July 2006. The Franks will run this business no matter what. The Websites still operate. http://www.mediacorp.com/marketing.asp http://www.mediacorp.com/ If it's another name another address, The FRANK Family will defraud your Business out of money.
Steve
Champlain,#8UPDATE Employee
Sun, July 09, 2006
Vericom and infotel publications are now out of business they can't sell any more they have close there business which includes sales and collections. Melanie For employee which hate infotel and ted frank
Steve
Champlain,#9UPDATE Employee
Sun, July 09, 2006
Vericom and infotel publications are now out of business they can't sell any more they have close there business which includes sales and collections. Melanie For employee which hate infotel and ted frank
Steve
Champlain,#10UPDATE Employee
Sun, July 09, 2006
Vericom and infotel publications are now out of business they can't sell any more they have close there business which includes sales and collections. Melanie For employee which hate infotel and ted frank
Former Employee
Cote Saint Luc,#11UPDATE EX-employee responds
Tue, June 27, 2006
Gordon Frank, most $$$ made snorted up his Nose! For over 12 years much of INFOTEL/VERICOM money went up Gorden Frank's nose. A coke head who lives alone He will be always rememered for crazy mood swings. This Frank Family will never quit, they will always be in a Scam!
M
DDO,#12UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, June 15, 2006
The Buchan location of the company has closed down. The other locations are probably closing down as well.
Former Employee
Cote Saint Luc,#13UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, June 01, 2006
It's not our fault your US companies are stupid US companies are not stupid, they are caught busy by clever Telemarketing Scammers. The Frank Family, now that is a stupid bunch, because while they are stealing from US companies, their employees are always stealing from them! I would be worried if I were a member of the Frank Family. The Canadian Competition knows them and the Internet knows them, where can they hide? Look at the facts: There are roughly 200,000 businesses listed in the directories. So, it's conceivable that the "previously listed" companies being called have at one time been in the directory. The Frank Family in Montreal is Chronic Liars and so stupid they get everything done by someone else, why, Think! The above quote is a lie. Vericom aka Infotel Publications aka Infotel Directories aka Mediacorp ALWAYS calls NEW LEADS, that is NEW SUCKERS* so previously listed companies are only called if they Paid the First time around. If they don't pay or don't renew they remain in the directory even if they move or have closed. This can be proven by calling several entries. Customers/suckers who get caught often don't pay because they call up there competitors and find they were scammed and never paid or don't exist. Gordon Frank of the Frank Family started Infotel Publications on Decarie which is now called Vericom about 13 years ago. He worked for a Scam business Directory Company prior to that and decided to open his own. He was a middle class guy with a rusted car. The first directories were made with names taken out of other legitimate directories. The generic pitch It's the American Business to Business Directory is used by all Telemarketing Scams. US is also used in place of American. As for "currently listed", this refers to companies that have not been previously listed, but will be listed when the directories are updated. These are usually new companies. Currently listed is a con used ONLY when the customer asks Were we previously listed? Or were we in this before? The customer asking this is not in the position to buy so he/she is not stupid but rather curious if it's just something they always take. Since he/she is busy at the time of these scam calls it's hard to manage work and the Scammer. The way I see it, there is no lie, unless the salesperson says we are the white and yellow pages. Of course when the customer asks Is it the white and yellow pages? The sales people say It's the white and yellow business to business pages. As for the directories themselves, yes they are pretty useless. But, if someone is stupid enough to buy it, it's not our fault. Quit complaining. At least we don't argue with people who say no to the directory. Isn't scamming someone by trickery, word manipulation etc. to buy a useless directory a Lie. The USA is bombarded by Montreal Canada Telemarketing selling useless directories. The result is. Employees loose jobs or are reprimanded for agreeing to buy. This may lead to Violence. . Small businesses get chocked to extinction. The Business info structure is being disturbed to make The Frank Family Millionaires.
M
DDO,#14UPDATE Employee
Wed, May 31, 2006
Look at the facts: There are roughly 200,000 businesses listed in the directories. So, it's conceivable that the "previously listed" companies being called have at one time been in the directory. As for "currently listed", this refers to companies that have not been previously listed, but will be listed when the directories are updated. These are usually new companies. The way I see it, there is no lie, unless the salesperson says we are the white and yellow pages. As for the directories themselves, yes they are pretty useless. But, if someone is stupid enough to buy it, it's not our fault. Quit complaining. At least we don't argue with people who say no to the directory.
M
DDO,#15UPDATE Employee
Wed, May 31, 2006
Look at the facts: There are roughly 200,000 businesses listed in the directories. So, it's conceivable that the "previously listed" companies being called have at one time been in the directory. As for "currently listed", this refers to companies that have not been previously listed, but will be listed when the directories are updated. These are usually new companies. The way I see it, there is no lie, unless the salesperson says we are the white and yellow pages. As for the directories themselves, yes they are pretty useless. But, if someone is stupid enough to buy it, it's not our fault. Quit complaining. At least we don't argue with people who say no to the directory.
Former Employee
Cote Saint Luc,#16Consumer Suggestion
Tue, April 18, 2006
>>>>> VERICOM BUSINESS DIRECTORIES <<<<< is the new working name for the Frank Family Business Directory Scam, formally VERICOM aka VERICOM DIRECTORIES aka INFOTEL aka INFOTEL PUBLICATIONS aka INFOTEL DIRECTORIES aka MEDIACORP. The "Directory of American Business" by Mediacorp is the US Publication. The "British Business Directory" by Vericom is the UK Publication. The FRANK FAMILY continues to use the Business Directory Scam in the US and UK.
Steve
Champlain,#17UPDATE Employee
Mon, April 17, 2006
They are nothing but rip off company. They ran out leads from infotel publication and changed there name to vericom. They located in Montreal Canada. Owners collection: 1. Ted Frank Sales: 2. Sean Frank 3. Gordon Frank operation owner Manager: Aldo that his real name Do not pay go to BBB even better AG. Ask for the sales tape if they don't have them tell you won't pay. This big time scam the Franks brother are living high off it
Former Employee
Cote Saint Luc,#18UPDATE EX-employee responds
Mon, March 06, 2006
INFOTEL now called VERICOM/ MEDIACORP is a TELEMARKETING SCAM. They do sell a product, however, it is worthless. (A NATIONAL directory for the whole USA or UK) 1) You are fooled by Vericom/Mediacorp Sales, ?We are calling to UPDATE your CURRENT listing.? CURRENT? You never had it before. 2) You are fooled when the shipping department calls you with a fast talking telemarketer verifying your address and quoting the price. 3) You think you have to pay after hearing the Recorded conversation of the above call. 4) You are fooled the 2nd, 3rd, 4th time etc. These are referred to as LOADS and are ILLEGAL in Canadian telemarketing. Some companies just pay and pay forever until someone smart realizes they don't need the worthless directory. Vericom/Mediacorp can only be stopped by complaints to your State Attorney General and to the State Attorney General of upstate New York where Vericom/Mediacorp collects its mail and ships out their directories. This closes the State to Vericom/Mediacorp. A few states are already closed for them. Metropolitan Media 5101 Buchan Suite 250, Montreal, QC H4P 2R9 Imagine them still operating while hurricane Katrina hit, all information is lost while the FRANKS collect on helpless victims. The Kaddish Prayer for the Franks. Glorified and sanctified be God's great name throughout the world which He has created according to His will. May He establish His kingdom in your lifetime and during your days, and within the life of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon; and say, Amen. May His great name be blessed forever and to all eternity. Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, extolled and honored, adored and lauded be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He, beyond all the blessings and hymns, praises and consolations that are ever spoken in the world; and say, Amen. May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen. He who creates peace in His celestial heights, may He create peace for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen.
Former Employee
Cote Saint Luc,#19UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, January 05, 2006
THE FRANK FAMILY IS INFOTEL They don't tell you it's a scam until you find out yourself. Reposted from another site................ Ted Frank 202 Dela Roche Dollard Des Ormeaux, QC H9A 3C8 (514) 624-8500 (514) 941-5441 Cell Rosalyn Cobrin Frank 5950 Cavendish Cote Saint Luc, QC H4W 3H1 (514) 485-2825 Post others if you have.
Robert
Staunton,#20Consumer Comment
Sat, April 10, 2004
They call you up and try to "renew" a listing that you never ordered in the first place. Here is the scam in detail: Infotel Publications is one of the largest scam companies I have ever experienced in my 27 years of working in the business world. They contact companies and ask to verify name, company & address. They tape you answering "yes" to questions and before you know it---you've been scammed. An unsuspecting company in the shipping/receiving dept. will soon receive a large 3 1/2" business directory (which they did not order) followed by an invoice. Now as most companies get large orders via UPS, they get a signature that you received their directory. Check them out with the Better Business Bureau and see their credit report. Go to www.UpstateNYbbb.org. Search under Infotel Publications with the Montreal, Quebec address. You are not alone in this nightmare.