Watch 20/20 this Friday to see the real faces behind some of the scams we’ve written about here at I’ve Tried That.
Literally. Set the TiVo, put the kids to bed, cancel your plans. This Friday is a TV night you won’t want to miss. At 10 P.M. Eastern, on the ABC News program, 20/20, you can get your first look at the real person who goes by the name “Angel Stevens.”
Who Is Angel Stevens?
Angel Stevens is one of the names associated with a less-than-honest online “opportunity” called rebate processing. Angela Penbrook is another of the names. (Some people think they’re both the same person/company, but hard proof is lacking.) We wrote about rebate processing and how their sites were misleading readers here and here.
Our 15 Seconds of Fame?
A couple of hard-working 20/20 producers have been checking in here at I’ve Tried That for a few months (and at other scambusting sites, like workathometruth.com), conducting interviews, talking with readers who were victims of deceptive advertising, and watching our comments threads for clues.
Steve and I both talked to the producers who worked on this segment. We don’t know if our little blog is mentioned, but hey, we helped right? You did, too, if you were involved in the rebate processing discussions. We can all kind of stand in the glare of the spotlight bouncing off of John Stossel’s teeth.
Not Just Rebate Processing
The Internet scams story is one of five focusing on consumer issues. The segment covers three topics dear to our hearts:
- Rebate processing
- Envelope stuffing
- Mystery shopping
Why those three out of all the scams we’ve written about here? I don’t know, but I’m not complaining. Any sunshine falling on the slimy underbelly of the Internet’s “work-at-home” niche is a good thing.
The show actually reveals the real people behind the programs. That’s an amazing feat! If you ever tried to get your money back from Angel Stevens or Angela Penbrook, you know what I mean.
So tune in this Friday to get the scoop! Have your rotten tomatoes ready. (Oh, and the guy in the “LOL” t-shirt waving at the camera from behind the reporter? That’s Steve.)
Ready to make real and legitimate money online? Click here to discover the top recommendation I give to everyone who asks.
20 Responses
That is really cool! I am grateful for this web page and what you guys do. I found you just a couple of days ago and have already learned so much! You definitely deserve the spotlight!
Matt
Joe,
I just checked my listings and there was no mention of Angel Stevens expose. But there was a lot of talk of Segmund and Freud. (Aaarrggg!!!)
Any thoughts?
I know ABC has been flaky with this story the last few months.
Eddy
http://www.WorkAtHomeNoScams.com
http://www.WorkAtHomeCareers.com
Oh, brother. Well, Ruth told me “barring any last-minute changes,” so I guess that leaves the door open for the show to get bumped. Siggy and Freud are so much more important than people getting ripped off, after all.
Grrrrr
LOL, I don’t understand why they’ve been dragging their feet with this story.
It’s a no brainer & will help folks. I hope they mention your site & give credit
where it’s due. One of the producers had spoken to me as well & never
mentioned if she would even mention my blog. Oh well, LOL. They just need
To get this story out. So many other news companies are covering this because
there has been a definitely rise in victims as more people become desperate because
of the economy.
Let’s hope they air this sooner than later.
Eddy
http://www.WorkAtHomeNoScams.com
http://www.WorkAtHomeCareers.com
Ok, I just looked at the Web site. The S&R stuff (are there really that many people who care?) is at 9 pm. 20/20 is at 10. If you scroll down a bit, you’ll see a consumer-oriented teaser (“Consumer Complaint? Go to the CEO”). That gives me hope.
Thanks.
Apparently I was looking for the listing of 20/20 at 9pm.
I didn’t realize that there was another one right after at 10pm.
Now I have to go and change my Tivo settings. lol
Let’s hope that’s really the segment we’re waiting to see.
Eddy
http://www.WorkAtHomeNoScams.com
http://www.WorkAtHomeCareers.com
It will air tomorrow.
Here’s the 20/20 teaser for tomorrow’s segment – http://abcnews.go.com/2020
Click on “work-at-home scams” in the middle column, right under the words “Friday at 10 p.m”.
Best,
Chris Durst
CEO & Co-Founder
Staffcentrix, LLC
Yes!!! Finally!
I just watched the teaser and it looks very good.
Hopefully it will open a lot of eyes. Chris, why didn’t they mention your site: http://www.ratracerebellion.com ?
Eddy
http://www.WorkAtHomeNoScams.com
http://www.WorkAtHomeCareers.com
Oh, they may mention it in the full segment — I’m not sure.
They do mention Staffcentrix, our corporate site, so that’s nice!
Chris Durst
CEO & Co-Founder
Staffcentrix, LLC / RatRaceRebellion.com
Fair enough! =)
Congrats on being featured on yet another TV show.
It’s good when people that are trying to help others work at home and avoid getting scammed get the spot light. Too often the news media focuses on the problem rather than the solution.
Eddy
http://www.WorkAtHomeNoScams.com
http://www.WorkAtHomeCareers.com
You guys can afford Tivo? LOL!
HELLO,
I THINK ALL OF THE SURVEY SITES ARE A SCAM. I SIGNED UP FOR PAID SURVEYS AND ALL I GOT ARE OTHER SITES TO SIGN UP FOR AND OFFERS.. I DO NOT WANT TO SPEND MONEY DUH… THE OBJECT IS TO MAKE MONEY. I TAKE TIME OUT OF MY BUSY SCHEDULE AND DO NOT GET ANYTHING FOR IT. I HAVE HAD IT. I REALLY DO NOT THINK THEY ARE ANY LEGIT WAYS TO MAKE MONEY ON LINE. I AM VERY SKEPTICAL. SHOW ME….. KC
Karen,
I totally agree with you on the survey sites. They are nothing more than promotional gadgets. I understand your frustration about trying to find something legit, but “SHOW ME” sounds lazy and it also tells me that you haven’t navigated this website. These guys provide free information. I don’t believe anyone should be obligated to show you. Just take a look around here. It is FILLED with useful information, guides, tutorials, links and tested programs and companies.
Thanks, Matt!
Karen,
Click here to see the current value of my Surveysavvy account. It’s not much, and it’s been about a month since my last cashout. Tell you the truth, though: that income is from a lot of referral surveys and very few of my own. So you can make some pocket change if you have a way to get a lot of people signed up “under” you. Otherwise, surveys are probably a waste of time.
@Vanessa
LOL, Yes I’m very lucky to be able to afford a TIVO. Being in business for yourself has it’s privileges.
@Karen,
All surveys aren’t scams. People make this assumption because there are a lot of middleman selling survey list that exaggerate the amount of money you can make. First and foremost you don’t need to pay for those list because sites like the one you’re on provide the legit ones for free.
In terms of the money, You won’t be able to earn a living with surveys but for some people, having a little pocket money to pay for gas or lunch is better than nothing. And if you’re smart you can pursue multiple streams of smaller non-traditional income opportunities which add up to decent money. This is also the path to least resistance because non-traditional opportunities can be started right away and you don’t have to deal with the enormous competition of traditional work at home jobs which can be like winning a lottery.
If you want to make more money with surveys, take Joe’s advice and increase your income by referring others to legitimate survey companies you’ve joined. Most people that make a lot of money surveys do this rather than just depending on taking surveys alone.
Another option is getting involved with focus groups which are like face to face surveys in a group setting. I’ve earned lots of money doing that and like surveys it’s totally free. You may want to read some of these articles to get a better sense of surveys and focuses groups:
http://www.workathomenoscams.com/2008/01/08/focus-groups-got-paid-150
http://www.workathomenoscams.com/2007/08/21/paid-surveys-online-are-they-all-scams/
http://www.workathomenoscams.com/2007/12/13/top-5-paid-online-survey-websites/
And I believe Joe and Steve have covered here as well. But Matt is absolutely right! People have to start taking advantage of the free information on good sites like the one here. These guys have covered so many different ways of making money outside traditional jobs. If you don’t take the time to read that stuff and actually give it a try that’s not their fault. Not everyone is out here trying to scam you or take your money.
Reading is Fundamental! (Those of you from the 80′s will remember RIF. lol)
Eddy
I was scammed by Angel Stevens and never received a refund due to lies and fake email addresses. I reported this site to the FTC and was told they will investigate the matter. If any body see the name Angel Stevens advertising rebate processing jobs and believe me you will! don’t fall for it.
Glad to see the segment on 20/20 was finally aired. I can see why it may have taken longer. Chris was great and informative as usual. It was also great to see them run up in the scammer’s house and arrest the dude!
Hopefully this will open a lot folks eyes. So that’s great.
I am a bit annoyed that some of the other sites that helped provide the reporters such valuable information weren’t even mentioned:
http://www.workathometruth.com
http://www.ivetriedthat.com
& me included. lol
I know you guys did a lot of leg work for these producers. Just thought you should be acknowledged is all. Especially since these sites can really help people work at home. Too often these guys focus on the problem and not the solution. Just needed to vent.
Take care.
Eddy
WorkAtHomeNoScams.com
WorkAtHomeCareers.com
Angel Stevens or Angel Scamens to be more exact. That rebate crap. Never got a refund. Why is she still allowed to send the emails. The surveys, Vindale research, a bunch of crap. I agree with all of the other comments. You have to purchase fake, phony, money making schemes (exactly what we all are sick and damn tired of) before you can receive your $5, 8, or $10 bucks. Can you see yourself getting rich quick? He## NO. I’m tired of Michael Vincent, E Rock, Gary Baker and all those schemers trying to send me the same thing that everyone else is affiliating for Cryin out LOUD!!!!!!! PS If I started a scam, I’d be arrested, prosicuted and thrown in jail for 100 years yet they can’t even catch that dumb braud! A woman needs to “put some foot up her behind”!!!
Hi All,
I am looking for people who were victimized by the following “ANGELA PENBROOK” sites — penbrookproductions.com, rebateprocessortools.com, and myrebateprocessor.com.
What I am looking for is a printed copy of the original website(s) — not a cached or archived copy.
This is for our on-going investigation, and if you have this information it could be very useful!
If you do have proof of the original site content, please contact me directly at cdurst (AT) staffcentrix.com
Best,
Chris
I personally know that workathometruth.com is a legitimate website and I’m glad that it’s been mentioned.
CJ
http://www.CjsReview.com