Complaint Review: National Annuity Exchange - Los Angeles California

To start, I was continuously receiving calls from Barry Shapiro who seemed almost drunk at times and pushy in his demeanor.  He said they are a lead generating company setting up appointments with warm prescreened prospects looking for an annuity review.  After quite a bit of back and forth we settled on 16 leads for $600 as I told them I would not pay in a higher denomination until I saw if these leads worked.  (they seemed Sketchy)  Another agent and myself split the cost to share the leads and went into it hoping for the best but prepared for the worst.  We thought if the leads were what they said they were it wouldn't be a bad deal.  Unfortunately, you get what you pay for.  I know...  I know...

They were pushy in the fact that they wanted the checks overnighted and wanted tracking numbers to prove the checks were on the way.  Once the checks were deposited we didn't hear anything for about a week even though we went through the requested process, sent Bios, schedules, etc.  We were pushed off to Victor Hamilton who sounded like a more ignorant version of Barry (if that's possible) although I believe they are the same person.

Week two we had some appointments set up although none of them seemed to even know why were there and didn't want to be bothered.  Others didn't answer doors.  One prospect's daughter answered when I called regarding their missed appointment and was confused as to why I was there and how I recieved any information on them at all.  After explaining that I was there for an annuity review that was set up for me she was nice although following the call she contacted a major insurance carrier to ask how anyone would know anything about her father's current policy.  I had given her my contact information and apologized for the situation and left it at that.  About a week later I get a call from said Insurance carrier asking how I got this lead etc.  (I will be giving them any and all information I have Victor, Barry, etc. as the insurance carrier has more than enough money and manpower and time to go after scam artists like this)

I called Victor asking for a refund and explained that I wouldn't be willing to approach another prospect that is confused and calling carriers regarding my visit.  He said he would refund the money but after waiting a month we still had nothing.  The next call from me wasn't as pleasant.  He put me on hold then disconnected the call.  When I called back private he answered pretending to be a call center machine with his voice saying to call back without a blocked number.  Seriously???  I told him to quit with the BS and he started speaking to me.  He said he just had back surgery, was in a lot of pain, couldn't even pay his rent, blah blah.  I told him we'd need the check back by no later than this past Wednesday or I would turn over his information to said insurance carrier.  He then started rambling that he would file a class action law suit on the carrier (what??).  He begged me not to call the carrier then said he wanted to marry me.  What a weirdo!

Needless to say, we DID NOT get our money back and I will be reporting them to any and all carriers with whom I have internal contacts.  These people need to be stopped.  Do not send them any money!  I've seen other complaints on here from people that sent much more money and lost it.  Apparently they keep changing the name of the company and employees as well so beware.

Run, do not walk away from these scam artists!