Bewarned Intertech8888 Recruitment is a SCAM!

Modus Operandi: First is the sweet talk, Second is the promise of direct hiring to Australia or elsewhere and Third is to get your money and... poof! 

If you get into situations like the ones mentioned above, chances are you're in line to fill up the pockets of unscrupulous individuals at Intertech8888. Read on to find out more about the workings behind one of Cebu's bogus recruitment scams. 

The high hopes of having the chance to work abroad for a small fee (15,000 Php to be exact) minus all the recruitment hassles and security measures set by the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) landed my wife and some friends in jeopardy as they fell victim to the sweet tongue of Kirby Silva, owner and CEO of the controversial BPO firm- Intertech8888 that is based in Minglanilla, Cebu who promised them quick employment as "factory workers" for various businesses in Australia.

Just to appease my curiosity and witness the intriguing process, I tagged along during their orientation seminar which was surprisingly set at a residential address and not in the usual corporate conference room. 

If I remembered things correctly, it was a certain Evan Ortega who ushered us in on the sweet spots with props ranging from photos of applicants they've managed to send abroad and of course, also their supposed "goody-goody" testimonials too to entice everyone who were present there to set their horses rolling and squeeze the juice of 15, 000 Php out of us- which he said was set at 10,000 Php to cover the placement fee and 5,000 Php for the assessment fee with which we were instructed to anytime when we're "ready" to pay to our coordinators or at the supposed office of Intertech at Springwood, Upper Tulay, Minglanilla, Cebu.

After hearing everything and after doing some background check about the company and certain key personas  online (which to my surprise and suspicion is there isn't a single impression about them in sites, blogs and forums online- and could only mean one thing. It's all a SCAM.) I pointed out what i found out to my wife and advised her not to go ahead but my pleas only fell on deaf ears as she only replied that she and the rest of our friends are all determined to take the risk and is pushing through with the deal...

Making the payment and closing the deal 

Much like signing a contract with the devil, they received a call from a certain coordinator with the name of Thelma Beniga who then scheduled a meetup with them at Mc Donald's Jones Branch to get their payments, which they abruptly complied and were given in turn with Official Receipts (confirming my worries) that do not bear a Tax Identification Number (TIN.)

They were then instructed to wait for a few weeks or months for the email which will guide them to their batch and company of assignment, which i later learned that my wife received in just a couple of days and my how fast! and that they will all go on the same batch for a chocolate confectionery known as SCALZO Foods based in Perth, Australia.   

After a few months of waiting... The dreaded news broke out that Kirby Silva and some of her cohorts were arrested by the NBI after the agency received several complaints about Intertech's illegal activities which are in violation of Section 6 or R.A. 8402 otherwise known as the Migrant Workers and Filipinos Acts of 1995. 

***Read the news reports about their capture: 

http://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2013/10/11/1243968/recruiter-faces-more-complaints  

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2013/09/25/illegal-recruiter-staff-arrested-305301

http://cebudailynews.ph/news/story/20223

Duped to sign a waiver that obviously screams Intertech8888 is only guiding them and is "hand washing" from all its responsibilities

Last weekend, my wife got a call that Kirby is asking them to go to her house at a remote part of Minglanilla to settle everything and after seeing through her ordeal, I decided that i should butt in and that we go there to get a refund for all that she paid for. We met up with a friend who's also facing the same dilemma and like us, wants to get a refund so we proceeded right away to find Kirby's place.

What greeted us in the venue were hundreds of people who were also lining up to meet up with Kirby but were only told that they can only get in if they'd sign the waiver form of which after reading, I can clearly define that the company is now changing its terms and that now it is saying that it is merely guiding its recruits (a typical tactic used by scammers to get themselves out of trouble.)

Smelling the fish in the form, i told my wife and some friends who were there at the venue to not sign the waiver and since it was already late we opted to just go home and wait for updates from the others just in case everyone agrees to file a formal complaint or simply just settle in on the refund and forget the whole deal.

I on the other hand, opted to write about our experience with this company and disseminate it online to warn others who, like my wife and friends may fall for their traps and tactics in the future and for various government agencies looking into this kind of employment strategies to be aware of.

As of this writing, we still haven't received any updates from Intertech8888 and lesson learned, everything is going down the drain....

Message in a Bottle

The Benefits of Using a Virtual Terminal for Merchant Website Transactions

It is very important for merchants especially those that own their websites to be able to accept multiple forms of payments such as cash, personal checks, credit cards and of course debit cards. Through the use of virtual terminals, entrepreneurs are now capable of processing credit card payments from any computer provided that it has a secure connection. 

Similar to credit card processing terminals found throughout most locations, merchants can swipe cards or key in their numbers in a virtual terminal. To accept swiped credit card payments a merchant must have a card reader plugged directly into their computer’s USB port. 

The benefits of using a virtual terminal 

a. Compared to a traditional terminal, a virtual terminal can conveniently be accessed from any computer with no additional equipment.

b. Merchants can track and report all credit card transactions that occur in their retail location with the immediate and accurate processing of a virtual terminal.

c. A virtual terminal has helpful features such as monitoring sales for every employee and recurring bills to help merchants with their finances.

d. Most virtual terminals are made to work well under any kind of connection. From dial-up to TCP/IP Internet or TCP /IP leased they can function and work well.

e. Virtual terminals have card reader support, Pin Pad support and check readers as well to check all major credit cards, debit cards, EBT purchasing cards, gift cards and they can also check verifications.

 

Enterprises that can greatly enjoy these benefits

Provided merchants operate from an office or small contact center, using a virtual terminal is always the best option. 

Businesses that use mail order or telephone ordering services and smaller nonprofit companies can also benefit by using a virtual terminal for their transactions. Small retail locations such as a jewelry shop, furniture store and other specialty shops are also in the lineup.

There are several companies that offer virtual terminal systems online. Most of these systems are offered on prepackaged merchant accounts or with a third-party processor combo. Some companies also provide a virtual terminal that plugs right to a smart phone for the added convenience of doing business 24/7 anywhere in the world.

 Truly, the use of a virtual terminal can lend the best benefits for merchants, business owners and non-profits alike.

If you are a business owner who is on the hunt for the best virtual systems provider to help your enterprise succeed, look no farther than Halo Merchant Services (www.halopays.com) to offer you the right merchant processing solution tailored fit for your needs at your price. Visit their website and discover the total advantage in all your merchant processing needs today. 

Message in a Bottle

 

The Benefits of Business Coaching for you and your business

The only thing that’s permanent in the business world is change. Keeping up with the demands of your market, consumers as well as being in the know of the best strategies to use for your marketing and sales endeavors require the help of a good business coach or consultant.

You can choose from any of these two great ways of mentoring and make your career shine or propel your enterprise to stand out from the crowd.

Let's give the limelight to business coaching as it is fast becoming the norm among top executives and companies nowadays. 

How can a Business Coach help?

Your coach acts as your marketing manager, sales director, training facilitator, your business partner and of course as your friend and confidant.

Every business is unique in every sense because different industries require different processes to achieve success. Since a business coach is also an entrepreneur and an expert at being one, he already knows the path you should take to ensure your success.

He can help you develop short term and long term goals as well as provide you with an honest appraisal if you have progressed or failed and will easily set the pointers to get you back on track again.

The best part about business coaching is that you will be put in charge and at the front line of everything. The achievement of your goals depends upon your judgment and course of action.

In a nutshell, here are the visible benefits of business coaching:

1. You get to use the right strategy that best fit your business and markets.

2. You get to focus more on your business without compromising your short-term or long-term goals.

3. You always get an honest opinion every time with your coach.

4. Your business coach is always there to listen.

5. You always get expert help with your every move.

Now that you know the benefits, it’s high time you sit down with a coach in your country and reap the advantage with business coaching today!

Message in a Bottle

Junjun Davide and Agnes Magpale tandem- It's about time we heed the call and elect new faces with new ideals to lead Cebu's Capitol

Just sharing my take for the nearing May polls. I've  been researching about my bets and I was certainly impressed by these two "extra-ordinaries" whom I trust (and I'm sure a lot of heads will nod) will bring the changes in government that we Cebuanos have been longing for with our Public officials and all public offices in general.

They both possess the will, zeal and capability to run the Province and I am one with their cause. The Capitol is the epicenter of it all. If we want change, then this place would be a great catalyst and spring board for new ideals that the entire Province of Cebu will rely its fate upon.

Furthermore, Junjun Davide and Agnes Magpale have gained the honor of being the President's chosen roster worthy to head Cebu's lot. If that's not enough to convince the skeptic in you then it's about time for you netizens to simply click a search engine or two, check out what's happening in Cebu and get to know these candidates (or your bets) better.

Enough said. If you happened to agree with me, pay their official website a visit @ www.davidemagpale2013.com sign up and become a member today!

“I believe I can be a worthy occupant of the Governor.  I believe that the office of the governor is a public trust and the Constitution requires its holder to be accountable to the people at all times.  To serve them with utmost responsibility, efficiency, loyalty and integrity.  To act with patriotism and justice and to live a modest life.” 

                        - Hilario (Junjun) Davide III

 Message in a Bottle