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Feb 21, 2008 -- Vanity organizations push 'who's who' listings

RIP-OFF ALERT: Clark's wife recently received a letter about inclusion in a "who's who" organization. The pitch proudly proclaimed how there's no cost to be recognized in her given field for outstanding contributions. In reality, there isn't any cost; this is more of a classic rip-off than a crafty scam. Here's the scoop: There are a number of vanity organizations that send out these query letters. There is no cost to reply and have your name included in their listings. But once you respond, they try to sell you framed pictures, books, plaques and more to turn a profit.

When Clark was in college, his mom got taken in a similar rip-off. Clark was supposedly "selected" as one of the nation's top college students. Yet there was no selection process other than his mom filling out the form and sending it back in. So for his birthday, she gave Clark a plaque and a book that she ordered. The book featured Clark listed with all the other kids who had parents that also gotten taken!

Here's what you need to know: If you get a letter like this, Clark wants you to buy a frame at the dollar store and hang the letter on your wall. Don't respond and don't buy any extras goodies from the vanity organization itself!

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What others are saying

  • Who's who
    The "Who's who" orgazation that contacted me went from helpful to harassing in the blink of an eye! They began calling on a regular basis with "new features" with of course new costs! Clark should do another segment on these groups. They are hitting the ATL area hard these days.
  • Who's Who scam
    I was taken for this scam, do I have any recourse? I do not want my name associated with this type of company!
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