- Report: #637903
Complaint Review: Merchants Barter Exchange Steve Bollese A.K.A. Steven Robert Bolles - Internet Internet
Reported By:
MBE Barter Victim -
Miami Beach, Florida, United States of America
Submitted:
Updated:
-
Author Not Confirmed
Why?
Merchants Barter Exchange Steve Bollese A.K.A. Steven Robert Bolles
Mt. Pocono, PA, and Morristown, NJ Internet, Internet, United States of America
Phone:
Numerous
Web:
www.merchantsbarter.com
Categories:
Business Rating:
(0)
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Merchants Barter Exchange, Steve Bollese , Steven Robert Bolles Marti Bolles, MBE MBE ,Merchants Barter Exchang.Fraudulent Barter Exchange is victimizing hundreds of Americans - AGAIN! Internet
Once again Steve Bolles a.k.a. Steven Robert Bolles and his wife Marti Bolles is fleecing hundreds of Americans every month with their phony Merchants Barter Exchange scam which was sued many times before and is still under investigation by the Federal Trade Commission. For details of past frauds see this link:
http://dockets.justia.com/docket/circuit-courts/ca3/08-1833/
and/or contact Jack Niggeman at delmacjohn (at) aoldotcom for details how he was ripped off for $6,000 just like I was ripped offed for $15,000 and my credit information less than three weeks after I joined MBE. Within a month I was a victim of identity theft and spent over $30,000 on legal fees just to get it all straightened out. I was told by a private investigator that over 30 people who joined Merchants Barter Exchange also had their identity stolen as well. Coincidence? NOT!!!
Also note that on their web site they do not list a physical address and only give a toll free number that is call forwarded to different numbers every time they move from one office to another to hide from angry victims and the authorities. MBE relies on a fancy web site and phony "testimonials" to lure victims into their web of deceit.
I also spoke with former MBE employees who confirmed that Steve Bolles pled guilty to IRS charges and then had to operate from pay phones for three months while the police were looking to arrest him for franchise fraud. Apparently he was selling phony franchises to many different people around the country, taking their money and then producing nothing in return. The same two former employees also told me that the testimonials Steve uses on his web sites are fabricated and he pays people with disposable cell phones to be his references. See these links from 2006:
http://www.pressbox.com/detailed/Business/Victims_Scammed_By_Merchants_Barter_Exchange_Fraud_Petition_FTC_For_Action_84056.html
http://www.free-news-release.com/Calling-All-Victims-Of-Merchants-Barter-Exchange-Fraud-Detail_16682.html
http://www.pressreleasespider.com/feed28640.aspx
http://www.1888pressrelease.com/merchants-barter-exchange-settles-litigation-pr-2t5d111u6x.html
Anyway, before anyone does business with Merchants Barter Exchange, I suggest they Google the words "Merchant" "Barter" "Exchange" "Fraud" "MBE" "NABA" "Steve" "Bolles" "investigation". This shyster caused me to lose $45,000 three years ago, and I cannot believe he is not behind bars yet! Beware or Be Sorry friends.
http://dockets.justia.com/docket/circuit-courts/ca3/08-1833/
and/or contact Jack Niggeman at delmacjohn (at) aoldotcom for details how he was ripped off for $6,000 just like I was ripped offed for $15,000 and my credit information less than three weeks after I joined MBE. Within a month I was a victim of identity theft and spent over $30,000 on legal fees just to get it all straightened out. I was told by a private investigator that over 30 people who joined Merchants Barter Exchange also had their identity stolen as well. Coincidence? NOT!!!
Also note that on their web site they do not list a physical address and only give a toll free number that is call forwarded to different numbers every time they move from one office to another to hide from angry victims and the authorities. MBE relies on a fancy web site and phony "testimonials" to lure victims into their web of deceit.
I also spoke with former MBE employees who confirmed that Steve Bolles pled guilty to IRS charges and then had to operate from pay phones for three months while the police were looking to arrest him for franchise fraud. Apparently he was selling phony franchises to many different people around the country, taking their money and then producing nothing in return. The same two former employees also told me that the testimonials Steve uses on his web sites are fabricated and he pays people with disposable cell phones to be his references. See these links from 2006:
http://www.pressbox.com/detailed/Business/Victims_Scammed_By_Merchants_Barter_Exchange_Fraud_Petition_FTC_For_Action_84056.html
http://www.free-news-release.com/Calling-All-Victims-Of-Merchants-Barter-Exchange-Fraud-Detail_16682.html
http://www.pressreleasespider.com/feed28640.aspx
http://www.1888pressrelease.com/merchants-barter-exchange-settles-litigation-pr-2t5d111u6x.html
Anyway, before anyone does business with Merchants Barter Exchange, I suggest they Google the words "Merchant" "Barter" "Exchange" "Fraud" "MBE" "NABA" "Steve" "Bolles" "investigation". This shyster caused me to lose $45,000 three years ago, and I cannot believe he is not behind bars yet! Beware or Be Sorry friends.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
MBE Barter Victim
Miami,Florida,
USA
Steve Bolles & Merchants Barter Exchange - Fraud UPDATE
#2Author of original report
Mon, September 06, 2010
Just a note to describe their typical methods used to scam people:
In reality this group will tell you anything to get your financial information, either on a membership application or a financial statement. They will either try to sell you a membership or a franchise and this will justify their alleged need for your banking and ID information. On paper an don-line they will open a an account for you and let you use their on-line software to trade services or products. Thus everything appears kosher. But within 30-90 days you will start realizing that your bank accounts and credit cards have been deleted and by the time you alert the authorities to stop the theft, the damage has already been done especially since you only get your bank statement once a month, and in 30 days they can clean out your account.
If you do not fall for their membership or franchise deals they will tell you that they can guarantee you incredible discounts off your car insurance, mortgage rate, tax refund, or vacation package. But once again, they will require your person information and credit card data. Because Bolles uses lots of phony press releases, a fancy web site, glowing references available by phone (they are paid to lie) and even does radio shows, their operation looks very legitimate and most victims do not realize it was MBE who stole their ID and their money. These are professional con-artists with a 15 year criminal history. Bolles lives in a $7 million home that is not in his name.
If someone takes the time to research Steven Robert Bolles they will find a trail of insurance, consumer, mortgage, and bank fraud in four states (Maine, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey). Track down their former franchise owners in Oakland, Atlanta, Buffalo, Toronto, Houston, etc. and give them a call. Only then will you know the real Steve Bolles who could charm a snake right out of its skin with his smooth talking and born-again Christian BS.
If anyone has a photo of Steve and Marti Bolles, please post it on this web site and Fraudwatchers.org since they often use different names to introduce themselves to new victims.
