FHTM (Fortune High Tech Marketing)

[Cathulhu]

DO you always talk out of your ass Ms. admin? You speak of a guy like you know him yet have no clue. Where does it say anything about the limit on a post or reply? Stop harassing this guy and get one with helping to promote the FHTM sscam!

Aside from being you so stupid as to mistake Wes' sex, the point is ragingly obvious here to everyone but you. This isn't your personal soap box, and nobody is interested in long previously repeated posts. Stop being so freaking lazy and write something yourself, if you think you can pique my interest. Otherwise, go away, you bore me.

[wserra]

Stop harassing this guy

Just so we're clear: I have no problem believing that FHTM (the MLM) is a scam. However, "fhtmclassaction" and "FHTM" are the same poster, in all likelihood one Joe Isaacs, first of FHTM (the MLM), then of "Fortune Social", now enjoined. The guy who now - after FHTM got the injunction against him - wants to trash them first tried to scam people by recruiting them into FHTM, then tried to scam FHTM distributors by "helping" to build their pyramid, and when those didn't work tried to scam people who were already victims with "tools so you can help yourself out of this bind".

In addition, he insists on posting and reposting lengthy cut-and-pastes to Q.

Clear now?

[Doc Bunkum]

However, "fhtmclassaction" and "FHTM" are the same poster, in all likelihood one Joe Isaacs, first of FHTM (the MLM), then of "Fortune Social", now enjoined. The guy who now - after FHTM got the injunction against him - wants to trash them first tried to scam people by recruiting them into FHTM, then tried to scam FHTM distributors by "helping" to build their pyramid, and when those didn't work tried to scam people who were already victims with "tools so you can help yourself out of this bind".

Always interesting to put a face to a name.

Joe Isaacs, center, joined Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing with his wife, Nellia, left, and later recruited neighbor Jim McCormick. McCormick is a plaintiff in a suit against Fortune seeking class-action status. The company is under investigation by at least four state attorneys general.

Fortune Hi-Tech: American dream or pyramid scheme?

[fhtmclassaction]

Sure, like with all broke, un-educated and useless people in the USA who try to destroy the whisteleblower, go for it Wes.

Lets get things straight - Mr. Isaacs was a rep in FHTM in 2009 and developed a social network and webinar system for network marketing companies. When he discovered that everything FHTM was a lie and they were operating a fraudulent business scam he took the news to the press and tried to save 100's of thousands from being ripped off and scammed.

He is NOT bashing anyone. He merely is pointing out the obvious and the real deal with these guys. Stop having such an issue with the guy already.

Why would anyone want to use this forum for a soapbox when there is ABC news, USA Today, FOX, CNN and many others who actually care what happens to others.

Have a nice day.....

PS if you were so attuned that FHTM is a scam you would not be bashing Mr. Isaacs......What do you do for a living, besides run this forum?

[Thule]

PS if you were so attuned that FHTM is a scam you would not be bashing Mr. Isaacs......What do you do for a living, besides run this forum?

Oh dear...

[Cathulhu]

Boy howdy, this one's got the density of plutonium! Can it be he hasn't bothered to read any of this website previous to attempting to claim it as his personal soap box? I really can't think of any reason for him to want to appear so dumb, but there it is.

[fhtmclassaction]

It looks like the admin here is attempting to drag this guy into a personal attack which we will forbid. Good luck telling the world about scams from only your point of view with only 1/2 the info. This is supposed to be an open forum......but I highly doubt it.

[wserra]

I think it's time we updated this thread with the more recent antics of one Joe Isaacs, better known here as FHTM/fhtmclassaction.

As we described above, FHTM (the MLM scammers) got an injunction against Isaacs prohibiting trademark infringement. It didn't take long for FHTM to move for a contempt order against Joe for violating the injunction. The Court denied the motion without prejudice, because the Court found that Joe had promised again to knock it off.

FTHM moved again for a contempt order near the end of last year. This time, the Court held a full-blown evidentiary hearing. The order that resulted is here. First the Court set out the background:

In September 2009, Isaacs, a Florida resident, became an IR for FHTM. Shortly thereafter, he organized Fortune Social, LLC (“FSL”) to operate a website called http://www.fortunesocial.com (the “Website”). The purpose of the Website was to facilitate networking exclusively among FHTM IRs. FSL is also the registrant of the domain names of other websites that provide online training to FHTM IRs who are registered members of the Website. According to FHTM, the Website has misappropriated FHTM’s trademarks and service marks and sought to profit from FHTM’s good name and reputation. When Isaacs refused to remove the trademarks and service marks from the Website, FHTM terminated Isaacs. FHTM contends after Isaacs’ termination, he continued to use FHTM’s marks and tradenames, and also used the Website to defame and disparage FHTM and to distribute false and misleading documents that purport to be state court pleadings and press releases.

And, of course, Isaacs came here to attempt to recruit "victims" so he could provide them "tools". We've been through this above.

The Court then relates the events leading to the injunction and the first contempt motion. Then the more recent history:

On October 28, 2010, FHTM filed a second motion for contempt [DE #34]. FHTM contends that the defendants have continued to use the name and trademarks associated with FHTM, its business and its IRs. Specifically, FHTM alleges that Isaacs has posted and reposted purported press releases through various web-based media that copy from his pleadings in the pending arbitration with FHTM. Additionally, FHTM alleges that Isaacs has created and maintained a webpage for Fortune Social on the social networking site http://www.facebook.com. Finally, FHTM alleges that Isaacs has continued to use FHTM’s tradename and trademarks in internet-based media by maintaining a webpage for “Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing” that features FHTM corporate logos and images, and that appears to be a social networking page maintained by FHTM. Based on this conduct, FHTM moves the Court to hold Isaacs in contempt and sanction him by requiring him to cease his “defamatory smear campaign” and awarding FHTM its costs and fees associated with bringing this motion.

You can read the Court's account of Isaacs' backing and filling for yourselves. Basically, it was a mix of "Oops, slipped my mind" and "The dog ate my homework". But, by the time the hearing came around, Isaacs had once again knocked off the injunction-violating behavior. Accordingly, the Court found the matter moot - with the following caveat:

The Court understands FHTM’s concern that it is only after the filing of two motions for contempt that Isaacs has fully complied with the Agreed Order. While Isaacs has offered excuses for his delay in full compliance, the Court will not accept any further excuses. The Agreed Order is clear, and Isaacs must make all reasonable efforts to ensure that he continues to obey the Court’s Agreed Order.

God knows I have no love for FHTM. However, what really ticks me off is Isaacs' attempt to solicit here on Quatloos. These two deserve each other.

[fhtmclassaction]

WOW...you can cut and paste but you have no clue as to the reaL DEAL. Bye Bye - Qualtoos. I have no use for a forum where the administrators attck the posters. FHTM is persecuting Isaacs for exposing their scam...period...end of discussion.

Bye the way - FHTM hasnt won one a single motion since the beginning of thier BS lawsuit except the one to keep jurisdiction in Kentucky.

The injunction, which is about to be dropped was voluntary. You only publish what suits you.

You can all go to hell.

[wserra]

Avoideth that yon portal doth thwack thine posterior whenst thou departeth.

[notorial dissent]

And mayest it be soon. Or in the alternative, put a cork in it!!!

[wserra]

FHTM has agreed to pay as much as $1.5M to reimburse former members for costs of membership and the TX AG's office for the costs of the investigation. News article here, consent order here. They also agree not to make deceptive earnings representations, not to misrepresent the connection between themselves and supplier companies, etc.

Not that they were doing any of these things, of course. They just had $1.5M lying around.

Kudos to TX AG Greg Abbott. His office truly seems to be going after more of these scammers than any other I know of.

[Lambkin]

Hopefully that means these asswipes will stop spamming me.

[maniac]

Kudos should go out to Yvonne Day and Joseph Isaacs for bringing the case to TX AG Greg Abbott. I guess the things Joe was saying for the past few years about FHTM was confirmed by the Texas AG. Lets all thank these wonderful citizens for helping save many from the FHTM scam.

FHTM has agreed to pay as much as $1.5M to reimburse former members for costs of membership and the TX AG's office for the costs of the investigation. News article here, consent order here. They also agree not to make deceptive earnings representations, not to misrepresent the connection between themselves and supplier companies, etc.

Not that they were doing any of these things, of course. They just had $1.5M lying around.

Kudos to TX AG Greg Abbott. His office truly seems to be going after more of these scammers than any other I know of.

[wserra]

Kudos should go out to Yvonne Day and Joseph Isaacs for bringing the case to TX AG Greg Abbott.

That's funny - I don't remember seeing anything at all about Isaacs "bringing the case" to Abbott. Other, of course, than from Isaacs himself. A somewhat less than credible source. I don't know who Yvonne Day is.

I guess the things Joe was saying for the past few years about FHTM was confirmed by the Texas AG.

You mean, of course, after they threw him out so he couldn't pimp for them anymore. And after his attempt to scam FHTM distributors with "tools" flopped. And then after he tried to recruit them - including right here on this board - for himself. And after FHTM sued him for infringement for the above efforts (and won, by the way).

Now don't get me wrong: as I've said all along, FHTM was/is a scam. Isaacs only converted, however, when he was unable to cash in on it.

[JamesVincent]

http://www.businessforhome.org/2013/01/ ... marketing/

The Federal Trade Commission and three state attorneys general announced Monday that they shut down a national multilevel marketing company they called a "global pyramid scheme" that rewards people for recruiting others.

Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing of Lexington, Ky., and its top two executives were sued by the FTC and the attorneys general of Kentucky, North Carolina and Illinois for "unfair and deceptive actions" that violated state and federal laws. Among the charges: Misrepresenting that the company is "a good way for average people to make substantial income and achieve financial independence."

[joyceclarkson]

You heard it right guys. Federal and state authorities recently descended on Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing, a multi-level advertising company in Kentucky. The company was grabbed and operations were shuttered as the firm is accused of running a multi-level pyramid structure. It's not the first company, nor will it likely be the very last, to be charged with doing so. Article source: Redacted to remove ad link, ND

[Lambkin]

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/28/3 ... cused.html

Lexington-based Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing has operated a "massive pyramid scheme" involving more than 100,000 people, Kentucky and federal officials allege in a lawsuit against the company.

[Lambkin]

http://www.kentucky.com/2013/02/07/2507 ... uote]Judge John Darrah of the U.S. District Court for Northern Illinois granted a continuance to Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing, which recently hired the law firm of Perkins and Coie of Chicago. The next hearing will be held March 13 in Chicago.

The Federal Trade Commission and the attorney generals of Kentucky, Illinois and North Carolina have accused Fortune Hi-Tech of operating an illegal pyramid scheme that involves as many as 100,000 people. On Jan. 28, federal and state officials shut down Fortune Hi-Tech's headquarters in Lexington and put all the company's assets into receivership.[/quote]

[Lambkin]

This will shock and amaze you.
http://www.kentucky.com/2013/02/27/2534 ... ramid.html

The top two executives at Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing made nearly $40 million in recent years, even as 98 percent of the Lexington-based company's independent representatives made less than $1,000 in annual commissions, according to a court-ordered report.

Most Fortune Hi-Tech independent representatives did not fare so well in that four-year span. About 98 percent of them received less than $1,000 in commissions a year, while 74 percent received less than $10 a year, according to the report.

"More than 88 percent of the representatives did not earn more than the enrollment fees to recoup their initial investments," the report said.

Less than 0.1 percent, or an average of 39 people, received more than $100,000 in commissions a year.