But the point is, even then they required a fee to be hired. A company that tries to recruit through tinder is only going to do what tinder was originally intended for. Im glad I did my research. I am bewildered that a casual lunch chat turned into an application, job interview, explanation of the job (in that order), and finally my being hired. * What is a pyramid scheme exactly? Business opportunities are not for the weak at heart. In fact, in a few months they are sending her to Atlantis. All the things he was saying sound good. But I guess well see what they do to me and all of my information. Ive seen success, a lot of it, and thats because we had a passion for what we do. They guy even scratched his back while slumped into his chair. They are sharks looking for their next meal! Yes, Orlando, pyramids are illegal and MLMs have very carefully crafted their companies to APPEAR not to be pyramids. These MLM ventures seem to prey on the 9-5-ers making minimum wage with the promise of making a six-figure income. I got suspicious and ask if this is an mlm company (I dont even know why, well, I know a lot about mlm companies from the past). Nevermind they had all tacky, cheap, white trash decor. Attitude goes a long way idiots from primerica, be forthcoming and maybe one day youll be able to be human again. mail or store pick up. Like the Dread Pirate Roberts, Ive known far too many preachers to take them on their word alone. I heard at a convention a couple of years ago that the way you know its a good company with good products or services, would be if you had to pay retail, would you still buy it? If this is not deceptive, what is? This guy has spent 30+ years of his life working for a company that promises VERY SIZABLE returns but delivers very little. Of course it was muffled so I asked who is this and she repeated I told her I received a missed called from this number and was curious who was trying to reach me, so she put me on hold. Third, my agent told us that he much preferred to bring in people to work just part-time, and he had for his first 18 months with the company, because it takes a while to support oneself in this or any commissioned sales position. I just a got a phone call this morning and let it go to voicemail from a Kim calling from Primerica in Arlington Heights. Sadly, it wasnt real. Realized after I had no idea what this is, and noticed he mentioned a group thing which made me suspicious. I immediately sensed that Primerica was a Pyramid Scheme and after taking the 20-hour class, refused to take the exam and e-mailed the woman at Primerica that I was no longer interested in pursuing business with them. I too have been approached by reps from Prime America (while at work at 12:00 am) about this great job opportunity, that I have a great personality, outgoing, would fit right in yada, yada. I interject, Im sorry, what exactly is it that you do? He proceeded to tell me that he called his partner about me and said I am great with people and would love for me to join their team if I was open to opportunities. The first red flag of the call was that she did not state the name of the company from which she called. Very sad to hear all the ridiculous posts, and misleading info that is pushing people away from the company. The most obvious illustration of this was the outline he drew for me of their organization, a literal pyramid your work will be trying to enlist enough people that you can stop harassing your friends and family, and start luring in random people at department stores to hock insurance for you. John would be furious with me.. FTC Shuts Down Credit Repair Pyramid Scheme Financial Education I had been suckered before into going to an interview for what turned out to be a door-to-door sales job, so I was wary of this one. This may be the part where it comes together to the point where people say they hire anyone. The man on the phone was not the man at the meeting. Weeks went by and I dismissed it completely, until I listened to this podcast: http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/543/wake-up-now They use your friends and contacts to start you 'business.' To get more percentage you have to get more people into the company. Is Primerica A Pyramid Scheme? | Explained - Insurist Primerica, at the very least, sells a very mediocre policy, that is also over priced for what it does. I wanted to be pumped but I found it hard to ignore the fact that John had blatantly lied when the professional-looking man had asked if there were any additional costs other than the $99. To proceed it was a lot of paper work, like basic info, bank info and contacts. Primerica Financial Services Home Mortgages. I was actually recruited by a Primerica rep that paid the $99 fee for me. Only one company filed a lawsuit in a failed attempt to prevent these upgrades. I stopped giving out leads once I realized that I wasnt getting paid at all. As I told others about my upcoming interview and was asked things like with who, I felt like an idiot realizing I wasnt given any basic details. Financial Services Headquarters Multi Location Business Find locations Contact Information 1 Primerica Pkwy Duluth, GA 30099-4000 Visit Website Email this Business (770) 381-1000 Primary hours. As it turns out, I am a lapsed Catholic and an Atheist, but I still wear a silver communion cross so she may have been taking a stab. And at the very end, drop the bombshell: You know who and what they are, and that youve purposely been wasting their time. Oh jeez.. he told them on the phone it was a quick 40-minute session. Again, the little lie bothered me. I was referred by a friend who recently started working there. We both said yeah and he gave us his wifes number and took our numbers down. I got a call around noon from a company called PFS Investments. http://www.sequenceinc.com/fraudfiles/2015/03/multi-level-marketing-is-not-a-business-its-a-pyramid-scheme/. I was shocked. Or something. Long story short, I sensed and saw scammers written all over their faces. Fraudsters frequently use social media, Internet advertising, company websites, group presentations, conference calls . I attended and felt extremely motivated, but wanted to think about it for a few days. Also, to those who think its a pyramid scam, we are a NYSE company and have an A+ rating with the BBB. I PAY MY OWN TAXES. I looked back to John, who had now moved on to the hard close part of the presentation. At that point in time I had nearly 20 years in electronics and put out many resumes looking for TECHNICAL positions. All in all, the research done prior to the interview was useful as some claims from the internet with regards to fake interviews were true. I guess I get to add to the list, I received a missed call, I dont check my messages usually and I typically just google the number and see what comes up and then once something pops up I call or dont call this time nothing came up so I called. It was in that meeting yesterdayand only after I mentioned that I had once considered working for Primericathat my agent invited my husband and me to attend this upcoming information event. Pull out your phone. He then asked me to write down 25 people in my contact list over 18 and he would call them for me to see if they would buy insurance and give me part of the profit and get me started. I then googled Prime America and this site was the first thing that popped up. I then told him Im not interested. SEC.gov | HOME Based on previous replies on this blog, scripted interviews seemed frequent. old-fashioned pyramid scheme and the line between the two is blurry at best. Yikes. Im generally really polite and dont want to hurt feelings, and I knew that my current work may expire in December, so I figured Id hear him out and then should I need work in December, maybe Ill give him/them a call. ?, Dont you want enough money to rent a space for your classes? I personally am more of a tech guy, dealing with machines and stuff. Now this guy (who knows if he actually works at Primerica) has my SOC. At the time though, it didnt sit right with me. I AM a great manager and I have been offered legitimate opportunities in the past, so yes, we exchanged numbers. wow I was suppose to have a interview with a person from pfs investments . Well I actually went and talked to someone of those guys in the company but at the beggining I thought this would be fake because I ask one of them about the website and he started talking me about the money Id make and he didnt gave me anything but to be honest nobody have to pay to be hired.. Dont believe in Primerica. Based in Duluth, Georgia, PFS Investments is regulated by both the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). I know my story sounds the same as many others go figure, right, these guys seem to work from the same playbook but I figured Id add mine. Primerica is a very old company that for over 40 years has been selling insurance and financial products by way of the network marketing model. They told us how the head leader makes over $200,000 , but he comes in with a bag of mini candies passing out to only his team crew. The people who give up on this business dont understand the potential of having your own business and life. So glad everything that I was concerned about has been confirmed. Legit MLMs and pyramid scams have a few key differences. I am glad that I came across this blog because rather than wasting my day off from running errands and spending time with my children, I wouldve been sitting in a UNPRODUCTIVE and pointless interview just to GATHER INFORMATION that should have already been provided to me. Long story short he told us it was a company about life insurance and that wed help families bla bla bla. I then took a step back and thought, dissected the business model for my own benefit and thought what I would have to do to be successful at it (I over analyze everything from both sides). A manager? The rep was upfront, has his Primerica advertisements with him at the event, and never tried to make it seem like it was a job. Answer (1 of 24): From my recent exploration of their compensation plan, they are very similar to the traditional broker/dealer -> agent model of insurance, real estate, and mortgage brokers. So i googled and seems like a scam i called back and canceled. She sits me down and she gives me usual scripted mumbo jumbo how Primerica gets people out of dept through education, and how their life insurance policy covers families and how I can make $1500+ only working about 15 hours a month. Like everyone else here, I also got the call and the woman said that I was Highly qualified for some positions she was offering. Its so much worse and you cant get you to six figures even if you work your ass off. I thought Im supposed to be learning here? Well, okay Atlantis it is. He asked if I have ever heard of Prime America (looking at this site at the same time) I said yes, he sounded surprised oh you have Yes I said. What a waste of time?!