Fraud? Help!

[Nod.E]

Just over a month ago now I started working for 'Midlands Consulting Centre'. It is a marketing agency that has clients such as 'Action for Children' and 'Talk Talk'. My job was door-to-door sales. I just wanted to work there for a couple of months until I go back to university to gain experience and to earn some ££ over the summer. However, it soon became clear that it wasn't all it was cracked up to be.

When I got the job initially I felt proud of myself that I had managed it. That was, until the second day. They had employed the other lad, who, no disrespect to the lad, was an absolute dead head. The criteria seemed to be 'If they want to work here a lot, and if they're free, get them in!' So that was my first concern.

Second, the general unprofessionalism of the manager. He showed me texts of someone that he had to sack for fraud. That just didn't seem right.

Something else that I found very odd indeed; I mentioned to my manager in 'atmosphere' (training) that I recognised the manager from the other company in the office. I said it merely as a passing comment. Two minutes later he brought him over and said 'So you recognise him? From where? Seen him on the TV next to a Scotland Yard sign?' (He said it in jest but it seemed very odd that he dragged over the manager of the office merely to talk about the fact I recognise him from somewhere.

Other than that, the manager couldn't spell the most simple of words. He would spell 'times', 'tymes'. Simple stuff like that.

It just seemed a bit dodgy, especially as the office was somewhat scruffy.

Anyway, they made out that the minimum average is 3 sales per day. That would have made me £450 per week for a 6 day week. They say that you shouldn't talk to others about their performance for psychological reasons such as not getting people down if one person is doing better than the next. However, we ignored this. As it turns out everyone was struggling. Getting 2 sales was a massive achievement to most. In one girl who had been there almost a month said her highest was 3 sales. That is supposed to be the bear minimum! I reckon they only told us not to discuss performance so that we didn't see how getting 3 is not average. I was there for 3 days of trianing and 3 days on my own. In my 3 days I 1,2, and 0 sales. That's £75 for 39 hours. (13 hours per day from when I left the house!) I was also spending £10 per day on travel costs so I came out with £45. So just over £1 per hour. I therefore made an informed decision to quit. I left on good terms, saying politely that for the amount of hours it simply isn't rewarding enough. They understood and let me on my way.

All of my questions appeared to be validated when I researched the company the next morning. They're part of the Cobra group, and it seems I'm not the only person to have experienced the sham.

Anyway, when it came around to the date my money was supposed to go in, nothing happened. I text the manager asking 'why haven't I been paid?' His response: 'U gettin payed this Monday'

Next Monday came and still no money (Monday is pay day). Asked him the same question. He replied that he wasn't in Leicester and will let me know as soon as he could. He didn't get back to me in the next couple of days so I rang him. He said the reason I didn't get paid was because I got one digit wrong on my account number that I had written down. He said that he had put the right and I would get paid on Monday. Sure enough, Monday came again and still no money. I questioned again, and his response was 'Ok, leave it with me and I will find out what's going on and I will let u khnow'. Again, I heard nothing for a couple more days. I sent another text asking for an update and got no reply yesterday. So today I rang him up.

The general gist was that by getting one digit wrong on my account number it may have gone in to someone else account, in which case, it's hard lines. Nothing he can do about it. Surely that is absolute rubbish? That wouldn't be allowed to happen! I began to get a bit miffed at this point and went on to question the company's integrity. He blew his top. Went absolutely mental at me, and told me I should go in to Leicester tonight to see him. I said 'Oh, come on. I don't want a fight. I just want the money that I've worked for.' His reply? 'It won't be a 'fight'. I will take your eye balls out of your head. If I ever see you again, I will take the eye balls out of your head.' I pretty much just laughed at that and took the piss. He told me not to ring or text him and then hung up.

So, what to do? It isn't a large amount of money (the £75 plus £25 from a sale on my training period), but to me £100 is very important. I'm a student! Absolutely skint, especially between terms when my loan isn't coming through.

I've already bluffed in a text and said that I had that call recorded and that he ought to sort it out before that call ends up in the wrong hands, unless he sorts it out quickly. He hasn't replied. That's why I'm here. I need to know where I need to go from here or who I need to go and see about this. Mainly to get my money but also to report what has happened. It will happen to other people. (They constantly spam the jobsite with 'new job opportunities')

Thanks.

ps. anybody know anywhere that's employing?!

[Jon the Hat]

Chalk it up to experience and keep well clear.

[DB11]

Police > FoxesTalk. Just a guess

Though you could probably but it down to experience and be happy you left before it got worse? And how can you get a digit wrong on your account number. Meh

I'm no use, am I?

[Craig]

I've every sympathy with your situation.

Whilst I was at Uni me and my flatmate had a day trial doing this shit. We decided it wasn't worth the hassle after hearing a couple of stories very similar to your own.

I don't think anybody (6 proper employees) who we travelled out with managed to get a sale.

Have you tried speaking to the citizens advice bureau? They may be able to point you in the right direction.

[Nod.E]

Police > FoxesTalk. Just a guess

Though you could probably but it down to experience and be happy you left before it got worse? And how can you get a digit wrong on your account number. Meh

I'm no use, am I?

I'm pretty sure I double checked. My opinion is that it's an excuse to not pay me.

I may well go to the police, but I was hoping for some sort of business route to go down? Dom Littlewood style. Rogue Traders. That kind of thing, but not on TV! Maybe they pay for people who contact them. That would kill two birds with one stone!

[Bert]

If they've got one number wrong on your account, I'd find it extremely weird if someone has got the same, exp date, issue number, and CV2 number as you, bar 1 number.

[blueblood88]

What is the name of the company? I have had a very similar experience while working in sales.

[DB11]

If they've got one number wrong on your account, I'd find it extremely weird if someone has got the same, exp date, issue number, and CV2 number as you, bar 1 number.

I only had to give my place of work bank name, sort code and account number? Didn't need to give them any card details.

[Nod.E]

I've every sympathy with your situation.

Whilst I was at Uni me and my flatmate had a day trial doing this shit. We decided it wasn't worth the hassle after hearing a couple of stories very similar to your own.

I don't think anybody (6 proper employees) who we travelled out with managed to get a sale.

Have you tried speaking to the citizens advice bureau? They may be able to point you in the right direction.

It was an awful job to do, too. The only positive I can take from it is that it will have improved my presentation skills for university!

Not yet, but I've considered it as an option. My Auntie's partners sister works for them so I'll more than likely see about that. Thanks.

Any other options?

[Nod.E]

If they've got one number wrong on your account, I'd find it extremely weird if someone has got the same, exp date, issue number, and CV2 number as you, bar 1 number.

Exactly what I said on the phone to him. He wouldn't have any of it, hence my suspicion that it's a cover up for simply not paying me.

What is the name of the company? I have had a very similar experience while working in sales.

Midlands Consulting Centre or MCC. It's just one of the Cobra franchises.

[Craig]

It was an awful job to do, too. The only positive I can take from it is that it will have improved my presentation skills for university!

Not yet, but I've considered it as an option. My Auntie's partners sister works for them so I'll more than likely see about that. Thanks.

Any other options?

Have you actually tried contacting Cobra direct?

[Nod.E]

Have you actually tried contacting Cobra direct?

That, my friend, is a very good idea. I'll certainly give it a go.

EDIT: 8am-6pm hours. I'll ring tomorrow.

[Ross-Kemp]

Majority of companys like this are a sham, I worked for financial data management for a month or so back in febuary, all seemed ok, was hitting all the sales targets then one day the "regional manager" came in the office and said we're shutting you down, you're all out of a job.

He told me I would be getting my pay packet (just over a grand) in the next fortnight like agreed in my 'contract', the two weeks were up and no sign of the money, so I rang him and he said it'll be there on april 1st.

Come april 1st, still no money, so I rang the head office, women there told me the company had gone bankrupt and were no longer operating, I then challenged the fact she had answered the phone saying "hello financial date management how can I help" and she tried to deny it.

Anyway, long story short, few angry phone calls and threats with lawyers, court rooms etc, they agreed to pay me !

You will get paid mate, but it depends how much you're willing to challenge and fight for it !

Best of luck !

[Daggers]

Stop sending texts, that's something only done by children and Jeremy Kyle contestants, send recorded delivery letters.

Check out whether your bank account/phone contract/house insurance policies give you free legal advise via a dial-up number.

If not, go to citizens advice.

[Rincewind]

Have you tried the Community Law Centre on Charles Street. They can advise you for free. My case against my formy firm is going through atm. Do it quick you only have so long to sue. About 3 months. Do you have proof that they have not paid you or you worked there? They may not want their name made public. Your solicitor can write a letter to them. A letter from a solicitor may have more affect.

Earlier in the year at the place I worked I had a pay cheque returned by my bank. I was told by my boss that this was because his bank recalled the cheque getting the number mixed up with another. After reading the above I wonder if this was true. Also for about 3 months my pay cheque was a fortnight late, the excuse being it was the PO fault. Post from Nottingham being sent to Coventry sorted then sent to Leicester and sorted, minmum time for post 10 days. Quicker to waklk and fetch it. The company is now in liqidation.

So seek legal advice be it CAB or a free one. There is help out there.

[coale39]

Ah cobra, that was a funny 2 months. Lets me know if you want me to email you something interesting I found on a blog post. PM me your email address?

"Stop negging me out"...