Dennis Beaver practices law in Bakersfield and enjoys hearing from his readers. Contact Dennis Beaver.

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June 9, 2026  • By Dennis Beaver

If you were in construction or agriculture in the late 1990s to early 2000s, chances are that the name Nextel calls up fond memories.

They developed a walkie-talkie-type push-to-talk cell phone that was very popular back then. With that kind of phone, you could instantly contact others on the same network and also place regular cell calls.

Smartphone technology passed Nextel by, and the company went out of business in mid-2013.

Today, several companies are selling Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) devices, and one in particular, in my legal opinion, is engaging in misleading and fraudulent advertising.

That company is Rapid Radios, whose ads pop up on computer screens and can be heard on satellite radio.

Rapid Radios, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, sells what it falsely claims are “walkie-talkies.” Its ads repeatedly state their radios provide nationwide coverage, with unlimited range, no matter where you are. They’re $399 for a pair.

Please take a moment and do a Google search for “Rapid Radios scam.”

What pops up will tell you that the company has been criticized for misleading marketing about its push-to-talk walkie-talkies. The radios are advertised as independent, off-grid devices, but they actually function identically to cell phones — they require LTE cell towers to transmit signals and will not work if all cell service fails. (If one carrier’s cell service fails, they can switch to another carrier’s service, though. But if all cell service is down, you’re out of luck.)

Now, watch this Rapid Radios Facebook ad and pay close attention to the first few words.

Did you catch that? “Rapid Radios, they work wherever you are.”

They do not — you must have access to an LTE tower.

Their ads also do not tell you that these devices can call only others that are mated to it — one or a group of devices — but no one else.

Here is an ad you will never see

Have you ever seen an ad from Samsung, Motorola, Apple, Google or any cell phone manufacturer that says that, with their cell phone, you have unlimited range and can talk to anyone, even those who are thousands of miles away?

Of course not, and you never will, as “range” is irrelevant to how far a call on a cell phone will reach. Connect to a cell tower, and you can call anywhere in the world. If you are in an area with no cell service, your call will not connect.

Walkie-talkies that are not walkie-talkies

The radios they show as making it possible to speak with Rapid Radios employees more than a thousand miles away are not walkie-talkies, and their advertising creates the impression that this is something truly revolutionary in two-way radio communication.

Ask Google Gemini what a walkie-talkie is, and it says: “A walkie-talkie, formally known as a handheld two-way radio, is a portable device used for instant, wireless voice communication. These devices operate by transmitting and receiving radio waves, allowing multiple people on the same channel to communicate directly, radio-to-radio, entirely without the need for cellular networks or internet service.”

Comments on Trustpilot

This May 2026 comment on the consumer review platform Trustpilot is nearly identical to many others I found online: “No way to leave a ZERO star review. No monthly service fees – NO Contracts – NO BS. This is a VERY DECEITFUL motto. Radios DO have a YEARLY fee. Which equal a contract. Next, it will NOT work without a paid fee, if cellular towers go down, the radio does NOT work.”

The company says on its website that there is no monthly fee, and that is true. But there is an annual fee after the first year to maintain service on each radio.

Rapid Radios’ advertising states that Fortune 500 companies, local police and fire departments, the Department of Homeland Security and Border Patrol use the devices. I could find no support for those claims. And I seriously doubt the DHS and Border Patrol use them, as they would almost certainly have highly secure digital radios.

I wrote to the company to ask for proof. There was no response. Some people would say, “No response is a response.”

At the bottom of its website, the company notes in very fine print: “Nationwide coverage available when in range of LTE tower.”

We again turned to Gemini to define “LTE tower.” It said, “An LTE tower (often referred to as a cell tower, cell site or base station) is the physical structure and equipment that transmits and receives radio signals to connect your mobile devices to the broader internet and cellular network.”

My recommendations

The idea of PoC isn’t new, as I mentioned earlier. Today, there are a handful of companies that sell PoC radios, and the radios that I consider standouts and recommend for most consumer applications are from Poclink (I have not been paid to endorse these products).

Technology aside, the company’s ads are honest. For example, they say: “Powered by PoC technology, Poclink lets you talk with your family or team — across cities, states or countries — far beyond the limits of traditional walkie-talkies.”

Poclink, like all current PoC devices, including Rapid Radios, can access AT&T, T-Mobile, TELUS and other global network carriers.

However, if there’s no cell coverage available, the user of a Poclink device can switch to off-grid, analog, radio-to-radio communication that can maintain connections in a very limited geographic area. Some of their devices can access Starlink satellites in cellular dead zones.

(It is important to note that I do not accept “freebies” and return any product or device that is sent to me for potential review.)

Possible legal — civil and criminal — consequences

In my legal opinion, Rapid Radios’ campaign of misleading advertising should interest state attorneys general, county prosecutors and the Federal Trade Commission — they should come down hard on them.

These types of cases can be brought both criminally and civilly against the owners of a company and employees who actively take part in the fraud, such as by appearing in misleading ads.

Any company that engages in such massive false advertising could end up in bankruptcy, which, if you buy their product, could wipe out service, warranty obligations and prepaid services.

The many online complaints and videos about Rapid Radios should not be ignored.

Dennis Beaver Practices law in Bakersfield and welcomes comments and questions from readers,
which may be faxed to (661) 323-7993,
or e-mailed to Lagombeaver1 – at – Gmail.com.

The post Are This Company’s Ads About Its Push-to-Talk Devices Misleading? In My Legal Opinion, Yes, They Are appeared first on Dennis Beaver.

“Mr. Beaver, I remember one of your articles that ran several years ago where you had the most extraordinary conversation with a con artist. He would join a church and swindle congregation members in a Ponzi scheme, using religion and trust.

“My elderly mother is on the verge of  ‘investing’ her life savings with a member of our congregation who is promising impossibly huge, monthly returns. I have the creepiest feelings about this guy. Mom loves your column, and I’m sure that if you can find the story and your editors agree to run it again, she and others will read it and hopefully not proceed further.”

We found that story.

“Want to know the easiest way of separating people from their money? Join a church!”

That’s how “Greg” began one of the most interesting interviews I’ve ever had. Our conversation began with his email, catching me at my computer. “If you have a moment, may I phone?” he asked.

Within seconds I was on the line with a self-described “church investment con artist” admitting to having stolen several hundred thousand dollars from dozens of “Believers” during times when “people who have saved money were upset with the low rates of interest they were paid by banks.”

But why did he want to speak with me?

“I have recently been diagnosed with a nasty form of cancer, which I accept as payback for the things I’ve done. You know the old saying about there being no atheists in foxholes, and that applies to me. This is the first time that I have ever been serious about prayer, confessed what I’ve done to a priest and asked if there is anything I can do to help lessen my sins. He reads your column and said to call you.”

Skeptical at first, the longer we talked, Greg gave me more than enough reasons to believe him, in large part because he described in detail one of his scams. As it turned out, several of his victims — also readers — wrote to You and the Law.

“The only place where trust is assumed, and you don’t have to prove a thing, is church, any religion. That’s where I go hunting for people fed up with low interest on retirement, savings, CD or other bank accounts, wanting much higher returns.” he began.

“I inspire trust by saying the Lord’s name often, talking about values, honesty, helping others, always being available, and by driving a car that is nice but not flashy. I give the impression of financial success well before going to the next step in my plan based on understanding human nature and timing.

“Appearing to be a legitimate investment adviser, I offered a ‘Guaranteed Interest Product — Paid Monthly — Five Times Commercial Rates,” of course impossible, as it was a Ponzi scheme. Early investors were paid with money from people who came in later, until I had stolen most of the funds, and left town, never using my real name,” he added.

“How can someone believe they can earn 20 percent interest a month when banks are paying almost nothing?” I asked.

“Every religion states that greed is bad, but even highly educated, trusting people will toss common sense out the window when happy, early investors — receiving those interest checks — tell their friends who then line up to give me money. It’s insane!

“Of course, with every Ponzi, the guy in charge — me — keeps most of the money, and few people ever ask for their entire investment back early enough, until there is no more money available. By that time, I’m gone.”

Greg “slept very well,” because he was completely aware of who and what he is, having “been diagnosed a sociopath as a kid,” he admitted, adding, “We are highly intelligent, likeable, have good communications skills, but lack morality or a conscience. To me, life was finding the easiest way of getting my hands on money, while seeming to be honest and trustworthy.

“I never really cared about anyone else, unless I benefitted financial.”

“Smaller cities and towns are dangerous places for honest people with people like me around. Once someone highly credible in the church or affinity group buys in, like sheep, others will follow. My advice to your readers is to do a background check, but no one ever did!

“I never held a license to sell financial instruments! People believed because they needed to believe that someone had the secret to get them more money. Greed costs,” he concluded.

Perhaps houses of worship need a flashing sign: Warning! This Place May Be Dangerous to Your Financial Health.

Dennis Beaver practices law in Bakersfield and enjoys hearing from his readers. Contact Dennis Beaver.

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My paralegal Anne buzzed me:

“Dennis, you have readers from Palm Springs on the line, 90-year-old mom and her 55-year-old son. He is trying to prevent her from sending money to scammers using a gift card.”

That call could not have come at a better time, as I had just interviewed attorney Matthew du Mée, chief counsel in the Consumer Litigation Unit of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office about this very issue – gift card scams.

“We Are about to Turn off Your Electricity”

“Mr. Beaver, my mom, Bertie, said that her electricity was about to be turned off unless she paid the utility bill which she thought was already paid.”

Bertie said, “I am afraid of losing my A/C so that’s what I was going to do – to go to a 7-11 as the nice gentleman on the phone who called from the power utility said to avoid having my electricity shut off today, I had to buy a gift card for $350 and give him the numbers.”

“Were it not for her son phoning you, Dennis, I am certain she would have become another victim of gift card scams, as the call she received fits the pattern perfectly,” Matthew explained, and outlined how these scams work. According to the FTC, around $10 million a month has been lost globally to these scams:

“You get a phone call that sounds urgent, and you’re told to purchase a gift card and read off the numbers by phone. The justification falls into several categories.”

1 – The tech support scam.

The caller says “We are from Microsoft (or some other company) and your computer is infected. In order to fix it, you will need to pay us, so go buy a gift card, call this 800 number and read us the numbers. We will do the rest.”

“But there is nothing wrong with your computer.”

2 – The utility scam:

We see this a lot in Arizona and other places with high summer temperatures. Someone calls, saying they are from your local utility and your electricity will be shut off unless you pay your bill right now as it is past due. The only way is to buy a gift card and read off the number over the phone.

“But what if I say, ‘I will go to the local office and pay it there?’”

Matthew replied, “Scammers call around 4:45 p.m. and say ‘Our office is only open until 5, so if you do not pay now, the electricity will be turned off immediately!’”

3 – Government imposters:

“There is a warrant out for your arrest because you didn’t pay your taxes on time. In order to avoid this happening, you need to go and buy a gift card to pay off your debt.”

Matthew points out, “The government does not call and say they are about to arrest you. Sometimes the scammers are using spoofed numbers – that look like they are calling from some government agency but they are not, so you cannot trust your caller ID. Remember the government typically does business by mail. You will never be called and asked to verify your Social Security Number. Never give it to someone calling you out of the blue!

Advice to Families

“My best advice is to first of all understand how our brains can become our own worst enemy at these times,” Matthew underscores.

“The caller wants the victim to be impulsive — to panic — when they say things that sound threatening. Instead, if you say to yourself, ‘This is probably not real,’ chances are that you will prevent higher level brain function from shutting down.

“So, ask the caller for their phone number, case number, amount that is past due, and that you will have your (son, daughter, husband, wife, accountant, someone) look into it and then if this can be confirmed, will be happy to pay.”

“Usually the caller will say, ‘It will be too late and the Deputy will be right over to arrest you,’ ‘the lights will go out,’ or anything intended to scare you. Do not fall for it!”

Families need to have a discussion about these issues and encourage everyone to never respond to someone on the phone saying you need to buy some kind of gift card and read them the number. If you hear this, just hang up the phone immediately, as they are so convincing and the reasons they have change all the time.”

Matthew concluded our discussion by saying that what he likes most about being a consumer protection attorney “Is the fact that we are helping people every day. My boss, Attorney General Mark Brnovich, has a passion for helping, and we have been able to recover over $200 million for consumers. I love what I do.”

Dennis Beaver practices law in Bakersfield and enjoys hearing from his readers. Contact Dennis Beaver.

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 In 2004, during their vacation in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico “Carlos” and “Maria” purchased a $58,000 timeshare at Club Regina. It was bought over Maria’s objections. “I earn the money, I will make the decisions” her macho husband stated.

Carlos has made many horrible decisions over the 30+ years he’s been one of our clients, never once visiting the office before doing something avoidable which got him into hot water.

The timeshare allowed them one week’s occupancy of a two bedroom condo every year, with a yearly maintenance fee of $1400.

So, in past 17 years, how many times do you think they used their time share? “Only once.” their CPA informed us. 
Immediately coming to mind was the oft-heard statement, “There’s no fool like an old fool.” It applies well to 80 year-old Carlos, as you’ll see.

We have a buyer for your timeshare!

This past June Carlos received a phone call from one “Matthew J. Simon,” explaining that he was a real estate broker and CEO of New York Based Capital Real Estate Solutions, LLC, and they had a buyer for the timeshare. “You paid $58,000 but it will sell for $61,000, less a $3800 commission, so you will break-even. Sound like a deal?”

It was music to our client’s ears. Without consulting us or his CPA, he asked for the sale documents to be sent to him immediately. Via Federal Express they arrived the next day, the couple signed and returned them, eagerly awaiting proceeds of sale.

They had taken the bait.

You need a sales permit and must pay Mexican tax

Two days later, “Mr. Simon called, stating that sellers of Mexican time shares are required to have a permit which costs $4250 but when the transaction closes, the buyer will reimburse us, so I wired the money.” Again, this was done without consulting his CPA or our office.

Carlos was consistent in his behavior at age 80 as he was 30 years ago when we first met him.

A week later, “Mr. Simon again phoned, and stated that a new law had just gone into effect in Baja California requiring the seller to pay a 16 percent Tax–$9800–which needed to be sent at once.” This time, Carlos came to the office and we had the most interesting chat on a speakerphone with our “Mr. Simon,” and was legally recorded.

Within seconds it was obvious that Carlos was the victim of a Mexican Time Share Resale Scam.Alerts put out by State Attorneys General over several years

Over the past several years, Attorney General Offices of many states have issued warnings about Mexican Time Share resale fraud which typically begins just the way it did with Carlos. Victims receive a call out of the blue from “a real estate broker” claiming to have a buyer for their Mexican timeshare. The California Department of Real Estate has issued several warning, which we paraphrase:

“Timeshare owners must be vigilant, be aware of and look for revealing signs of fraud. The most significant is a request for the wiring of money in connection with timeshare resales, rentals or other services. Once funds are wired, there is virtually no chance of recovering the money as the scammer usually disappears.

“A number of the scammers have engaged in identity theft, representing themselves as having real estate licenses. The criminals will use an actual real estate broker’s name and license number in an attempt to legitimize the transaction. If and when the timeshare owner victim calls the broker’s number, which has been provided via email, phone call, postal mail, or on the website that has been created to complete the fraud, the voice of the supposed broker is actually the voice of the scammer.”

As we learned, that was exactly what happened here, our “Mr. Simon” was not the real Matthew J. Simon.“They stole my company’s name and my name!”

We Googled Matthew J. Simon, New York, found the real Matthew J. Simon, and called a different phone number than the one Carlos had been given. He is a New York attorney and partner in the highly respected Romer Debbas law firm.

“You are the third lawyer this week to call me with the same story. If you Google the company’s name, you’ll find a beautiful website. But I’ve got nothing to do with any of this, as they stole my identity and that of my real estate company which had been inactive for quite some time.

“I have a meeting scheduled with law enforcement,” he told us. We’ll be sending him a copy of our chat with his evil twin.
And Carlos? He promised not to wire the $9800, but I’m not holding my breath.

Dennis Beaver practices law in Bakersfield and enjoys hearing from his readers. Contact Dennis Beaver.

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I was contacted by a life insurance salesman – a friend of a friend – who has a money making proposal that seems extremely interesting. Basically, I apply for a life insurance policy – a really large life insurance policy – go through a physical, and once the policy is issued, I am loaned 5% of the death benefit by a group of investors and sign over ownership of the policy as security. The investors pay the premiums and if I die, they collect the proceeds. It is called a Non-Recourse Loan, and the insurance salesman told me that it is a new and perfectly legal way making money out of life insurance while you are living. Have you have heard of this kind of a thing, or is it a scam? Thanks, Ben in Lemoore.

Meet My New Friends – The Mob

Ben sent me copies of all the documents the “friend of a friend” wanted filled out, which required him providing all his personal financial information, tax records, vehicles he owned – everything. The name of an insurance broker in the Marina Del Rey area of Southern California appeared on these forms, and I phoned the broker, who I will just call “David” and spoke with an ever-so-helpful assistant.

“Hi, my name is Dennis and I heard that you have a really super insurance program that I can get into and actually be paid for obtaining a large life insurance policy. My understanding is that I don’t ever have to make a payment, because when the policy is issued, I sign it over to someone else. Is that right?” I asked.

“That’s correct,” the sexy voice replied, “and for people who have or state that they have high net worth, we usually do this two or three times, over a two year or more period of time, and with what we pay – 5% of the life insurance death benefit – our clients can go out and buy a really nice sized, fully paid life insurance policy if they want to, or just spend the money. It is called a Non-Recourse Loan, as we are basically loaning you money that is secured by the life insurance policy and never ask you to repay it. It is perfectly legal,” she was quick to point out.

But was it? Or was this a scam? It sounded like a “something for nothing” sales pitch, and all sorts of warning bells went off. First on my list of, “No, I don’t think so,” was the obvious effort to get around state insurable interest laws.

Insurable Interest Requirement

The chances are pretty good that unless you work in the area of insurance, tax or law, you’ve never heard of the term Insurable Interest. It simply means that before you can insure something – a car, house, boat or a life – you must have an ownership interest in that property or connection to that person, such as husband, wife, child, employer/key employee.

Insurance is based on the idea of injury or loss of some type – unless you can personally suffer a financial loss then you have nothing to insure. If you house is damaged by fire, you have suffered a loss – it’s going to cost something to repair it, or if you sell it in its damaged condition, it will be at a loss – but if your neighbor’s house burns to the ground, you have lost nothing and could not buy an insurance policy on his home. The same thing is true for your neighbor’s life.

I or my immediate family members can of course buy life insurance on my life, as I obviously have an interest in living and supporting my family, and they have a financial interest in my living and need for my support.

Hanford, California Attorney John Ohnstad puts it this way: “In a family setting, there is obviously an insurable interest, as life insurance is meant to partly replace what the family might lose if a breadwinner dies. One of the reasons a young family starting out can buy a very large life insurance policy is because it is impossible to put a dollar value on the continued life of that family member.”

Attorney Ohnstad told me that the Insurable Interest requirement, “has a past that would make for an exciting TV documentary. It goes way back to 18th century England. At that time, there were groups of investors who bought life insurance on well known people, especially those with serious health problems or whose lifestyle flirted with early death. At times, these investors would target certain individuals – who knew nothing at all of the insurance policy on their lives – with parties, booze, you name it, anything to speed up the process of cashing in that policy. It was a gruesome form of gambling on the lives of total strangers, and in 1774 the English Parliament passed laws to stop this practice, and similar laws were adopted against these ‘wagering policies’ in the United States.”

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

There are a number of potentially dangerous aspects to the scheme my reader has described.

“What you have here appears to be a scheme for investors to obtain wagering policies on people’s lives in whom they have no insurable interest. I doubt that they are disclosing the details to the insurance companies underwriting the risk. They are gambling against the insurance company, which wants you to live a long time, paying premiums, while it delays or avoids paying a death benefit. Taking out the policy and immediately assigning it to a third party for a quick payoff could be seen as participating in fraud. So what if they pay you $50,000, do you want to run the risk of criminal prosecution or even a civil suit by an insurance company if and when they discover that the whole scheme was to let a total stranger insure your life, rather than a bona fide insurance policy purchase? And just who are these investors anyway? Do they really want you to live to a ripe old age, or would they instead profit by your early departure?” Mr. Ohnstad asks.

“And let’s not forget the case of the two elderly women in Los Angeles who were arrested and charged with murder in the deaths of several homeless men whom they befriended – and on whom they took out life insurance policies as beneficiaries. This illustrates the risks of someone owning an insurance policy on your life who does not have a strong incentive to keep you around, he added.

So, if approached with this kind of a scheme, what should you do?

“Don’t do it. Simple as that. Understand that life insurance is not to be used for profit, but is a risk spreading tool for the benefit of society. If you are so approached, run the other way,” John Ohnstad recommends. I agree.

Dennis Beaver practices law in Bakersfield and enjoys hearing from his readers. Contact Dennis Beaver.

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Chances are you’ve never heard of Golden Bright Manufacturing located in Hong Kong. But Palmer Tank & Construction, on South Union Avenue, right here in Bakersfield where I live — that name might ring a bell for anyone in the oil industry.

Palmer Tank is one of the nation’s largest companies who specialize in the fabrication of bolted and welded tanks for bulk storage of drinking, waste and fire protection water. Golden Bright produces and sells toys — radio control toy boats and racing vehicles, some of which would make any overgrown kid drool over.

So, what do they have in common, and more importantly, what connection does any of this have to California lawyers?

The answer to part one of the question is nothing, absolutely nothing. Palmer Tank has never heard of Golden Bright, nor of “Eric Fung,” who claims in a nicely worded e-mail, that Palmer owes his company over $200,000 and needs help of a local lawyer in collecting the money.

The e-mail is written in appropriate business English, and requests a copy of the attorney’s retainer agreement.

When a lawyer or a law firm receives one of these e-mails, they’ve been targeted in a dangerous and seductive scam. A number of San Joaquin Valley attorneys have received the e-mail.

So let’s say the attorney replies. It could lead to the greatest financial mistake in one’s legal career.

Eric Fung wastes no time, and in a highly appreciative tone explains in detail that his company is owed money by Palmer, urging that a conflicts check be conducted, and if none is found, to please represent them.

If further information about the nature of the debt is requested by the attorney, or a desire to speak with Eric, he sends a third e-mail.

This time, the tone is less pleasant, commenting, “Our Board of Directors was discouraged by your earlier e-mail, but I still want to proceed. They (Palmer) informed us payment will be effected no later than (a specific date) and we have instructed them to make payment to our legal representative in California (Your Firm.)”

The attorney writes back, “I would really like to discuss this with you, as I’m a bit confused. Am I to receive payment from your customer, deposit it into my trust account, deduct our fees, and then remit the balance to you? Why can’t they pay you directly?”

Eric — who probably resides, not in Hong Kong, but in Nigeria — sends the following response:

“There is nothing to be confused about. That is exactly what you are to do. It is as simple as that. Let me know as soon as you receive payment from our customer!”

The lawyer replies, “Why can’t the customer pay you directly? I am even more confused than before. Unless we can discuss this, I am afraid you will need to contact some other law firm.”

Finally, the ever charming Eric sends this final e-mail:

“OK then I am fed up. You are not professional at all. How can a lawyer be confused all the time? This is why we decided not to work with you in the first place. I will seek the services of another attorney.”

Lawyers all over the United States have fallen for similar scams, some of which are far more sophisticated, but all of which end this way:

A cashier’s check is indeed received, from a large, well-known bank. It is deposited, and then, after deducting attorney fees, the lawyer immediately wires funds to the client’s account. Days to weeks later, the “cashier’s check” is determined to be fake.

The attorney’s bank will typically have a friendly little chat with their lawyer customer, and in most cases, repayment will be required — legally required.

As you have by this time no doubt guessed, I received Eric’s initial e-mail. But I knew something that he didn’t know.

There is a real Eric Fung, and a real Golden Bright Manufacturing in Hong Kong. As my son resides there, and speaks Cantonese, it was easy to determine that someone is using Mr. Fung’s name.

From the beginning it all had the ring of a scam, one which I was curious to see where it would lead. But there was something else that gave it all away, contained in Eric’s first e-mail.

“We are looking for a firm with jurisdiction within the state of North Dakota to provide legal services as requested.”

Dennis Beaver practices law in Bakersfield and enjoys hearing from his readers. Contact Dennis Beaver.

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Over the past several years this column has told you about the nightmares that timeshare owners lived through, both when first purchasing–often under physical and mental duress–and then when attempting to get themselves out of their contracts.

I never said, “Don’t ever buy a timeshare!”

But no more. I now believe that because of the nature of timeshare contracts–and sales practices–they are the most dangerous purchase anyone can make. I urge Federal action to nullify provisions in existing contracts which keep buyers on the hook for thousands of dollars in yearly fees glued to a contract they can’t walk away from – even after years of paying for something they no longer use or are able to use.

Great Vacation! We’ll All Come Back Here Every Year

Picture yourself on vacation with your family–in Florida, Las Vegas, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico or other tourist destinations, staying in a lovely, spacious condominium-type unit in a beautiful resort.

It truly is lovely, you are all having the time of your lives, and are told, “For a one-time payment (which we can finance) of $15,000 plus modest yearly maintenance fees, you will have the right to come back, with your family, year after year.”

It would be far cheaper to pay as you go, but you don’t do the math, nor do you run this decision by your accountant or lawyer as you are convinced of how economical a decision it is.

Maybe for a few years your family uses the property, and then the kids grow up and there are no more family vacations.

Or, your wife gets cancer.

But the yearly maintenance bills keep on coming, first hundreds, and then thousands of dollars out the window.

As is the case with every person who as contacted this column, after asking to be let out of the contract, to please just take the thing back…refused.

The singular, diabolical feature of timeshare contracts is that they last in perpetuity. The contract permits no way out. And unless your heirs reject this inheritance, they will also be burdened with this monstrosity!

It is the only such contract like this I have ever seen. And timeshares–because of maintenance fees–are almost impossible to sell. You will find them offered online for one dollar!

We Have a Buyer for Your Mexican Timeshare

In 2017, Joe Corriveau of Lynchburg, Virginia, purchased a timeshare at the Villa del Palmar in Cancun, Mexico for slightly over $14,000.

In early March of this year, he received a $25,000 offer from Travel Pirates Mexico to buy it and a few days later, was contacted by the Eric H. Anderson Law Group. In reality, there is no buyer, only an appeal to greed, and “sellers” are required to wire thousands of dollars for various fees for what is a non-existent purchase.

“I researched the Eric H. Anderson Law Group based out of San Jose, CA. Their website is very professional looking, but I could not find the actual Eric H. Anderson in San Jose, CA. I only found him in Palo Alto, CA, but could not locate a phone number. I came across your article online ‘Beware of the Mexican timeshare resale scam’ and called you.”

His research led to the discovery of a new Mexican Timeshare Resale Scam which became obvious when, on a conference call with him, I tried to reach attorney Eric Anderson. Coming on the line, was a nasty sounding guy who claimed to be an attorney, yet would provide no name or other identifying information and when learning that I am a journalist researching Mexican Timeshare scams, he hung up!

My calls to the “Eric Anderson Law Group” yielded 30 minutes on hold, and a refusal to connect me with anyone. Further research showed that Anderson was working for the Baker McKenzie lawfirm in Palo Alto, but they had never heard of him. The California State Bar shows such an attorney, but no telephone number is listed.

Rips Off U.S. Attorneys Names

To Scott Morse, Chief Operating Officer of Rockford, Illinois-based Resort Release–an A+ BBB rated company that legitimately helps to get people out of time shares:

“This scam has been refined over many years. They rip off the name of a real U.S. attorney, and create a fake website. The average person would have no idea how to quickly spot the scam, so I applaud your reader’s intuition for sensing that something was just not right.”

Morse is a great detective and discovered:

(1) The images on andersonlawgroup were stolen from a law firm in North Carolina.

(2) The website was set up on March 3rd, 2019, making it, literally, just a few days old.

(3) The footer of the website states, “Anderson Law Group, Inc.” yet it’s a “PC” (Professional Corporation.) That’s a small detail, but one a lawyer would never get wrong.

Scott provides this advice to anyone contacted by these cons:

“These guys are the worst of the worst. Don’t respond to them, don’t call them, don’t answer them… Block their number with your telephone provider. If you have provided them ANY Banking information – change it immediately.”

Dennis Beaver practices law in Bakersfield and enjoys hearing from his readers. Contact Dennis Beaver.

The post Considering a Timeshare? Don’t You Ever!! appeared first on Dennis Beaver.

“Want to know the easiest way of separating people from their money? Join a Church!”

That was the way “Greg” began one of the more interesting discussions I have had in recent months with a reader. Our conversation began with his e-mail, catching me at my computer. “If you have a moment, may I phone?” he asked.

Within seconds I was on the line with a self-described “Investment Con Artist” who admitted to having taken several hundred thousand dollars from dozens of “Believers” during times when “people who have saved money were upset with the low amounts of interest they were being paid by banks.”

Why did he want to speak with me, and what was the urgency I sensed in his voice?

Time is running short

“For obvious reasons, I can’t tell you where I am, but let’s just say that I used to live not far from a town where your column is widely read. I am in my mid-50s and have recently been diagnosed with a nasty form of cancer, which I accept as a payback for the things I’ve done. You know the old saying about there being no atheists in foxholes, and that applies to me. This is the first time that I have ever been serious about prayer, and confessed what I’ve done to a priest. I asked him if there is anything I can do to help lessen my sins. He suggested that I talk with a journalist. I thought of your column. Will you help me?” Greg asked.

While a bit skeptical at first, the longer we talked, Greg gave me more than enough reason to believe what he was saying, in large part because he described in detail one of his scams. As it turned out, several of his victims — also readers — wrote to You and the Law.

Appeal to trust and greed

“These are times when, for anyone fed up with getting hardly any interest on a retirement, savings, CD or other bank accounts, it is natural to look for higher returns. This is how guys like me find our victims, and a church is the ideal hunting ground. It’s the only place where trust is assumed, and you don’t have to prove a thing,” Greg related.

“Just say the Lord’s name enough, talk about values, honesty, helping your fellow human beings, and you will inspire trust. I attend services, contribute generously, always available to help any church member, and drive a nice but not flashy car. I give the impression of being financially successful, well before going to the next step in my plan,” he continued.

“That’s timing and understanding human nature. For example, years ago when interest rates were low and with a cover as a legitimate investment adviser, I casually mentioned that I was able to obtain guaranteed interest-paid-monthly-five times actual, commercial rates. It was, of course impossible, and I was running a Ponzi scheme, paying off early investors with money from people who came in later, until I had stolen most of the funds, and left town, never using my real name,” he added.

I asked Greg how it is that anyone believes they can earn 20 percent interest a month when banks are paying 3 percent yearly? “The answer is found in the Bible, Koran, or other holy books,” he replied.

“They all tell you greed is bad. Yet, this motivates even highly educated, trusting people to attempt almost any way of making oodles of money, tossing common sense right out the window. In these kinds of schemes, happy early investors — who did get that interest check — told their friends. They were my best form of advertising, and people were lining up to give me money. Of course, with every Ponzi scheme, the guy in charge — me — keeps most of the money, and few people ever ask for their entire investment back early enough, until there is no more money available. By that time, I was gone.”

Slept well at night

Greg “slept very well at night,” because he was completely aware of who and what he is.

“I am what psychologists call a sociopath. This was diagnosed when I was a kid. We tend to be highly intelligent people with good communications skills, likeable, but do not have a sense of morality or a conscience. Life for a sociopath is finding the easiest way of getting your hands on money, while seeming to be honest and trustworthy. Normal relationships are not part of our world. You do not care about anyone else, unless it benefits your own personal financial or physical security,” he explained.

Advice for my readers

I felt there was more to Greg’s story than seeking a free pass into heaven, and told him that. He agreed. “Something also motivated me to speak with you. Smaller cities and towns are dangerous places for honest people with people like me around. My mom — now in her 80s — was taken to the tune of $30,000 by someone just like me. Seeing her grief was something of a wake-up call, and I figured that with the little time remaining I have, why not do something good,” was his answer.

We ended our conversation with one more question I had for him. “Beyond a story, which I will write, is there anything else you would like from me?” There was.

“I need a good lawyer. Do you know a good criminal attorney close to Sacramento?”

Even if I did, I’d never tell him.

Dennis Beaver practices law in Bakersfield and enjoys hearing from his readers. Contact Dennis Beaver.

The post Conversation with a con artist appeared first on Dennis Beaver.

If you have been thinking about getting into the food truck or trailer business, then today’s story will cause your blood to boil when you see what happened to our readers “Denzel” and “Leila,” who reside in Southern California. All names that appear in this story have been changed.

Both are Black, and their race is central to what makes this story so upsetting, so sad. But race aside, what happened to them could happen to anyone tangling with a con. The couple learned the consequences of thinking there was no need to consult with an attorney, do background research on the seller or discover the red flags of food truck and trailer sales.

Plan ‘B’ in their Lives

They married right after graduating from high school, raised three kids who are now adults, and have always been employed, Denzel in construction, and Leila as a cook in family-run restaurants.

“We thought about opening our own small diner or Southern-style fish restaurant, but when adding up all the expenses, realized there was just no way. So, this left two choices: a food truck or trailer,” Leila explained.

Significant Cost Differences

“Expect to pay $100,000 to $175,000 and up for a new food truck. Used – you’re looking at from $60,000 to $100,000, and then consider repairs or state required upgrades,” says Elma Eaton, CEO of Lake Elsinore-based California Cart Builder – in business for over 22 years.

“However, ‘Food Trailers,’ also known as ‘Concession Trailers’ range from $20,000 to $120,000, or more, based on the equipment installed. Often fire marshal requirements do not allow food trucks at certain events, while concession trailers are permitted. For a mom and pop business they can be ideal.”

Found His Website

“We were searching for a nearby company that could build a trailer for us and found ‘Jay’s Discount Food Trucks and Trailers’ beautiful website, that had several highly positive reviews which described both him and his business in terms that spelled confidence and competence.

“We met Jay at the business on Jan. 26, 2021 and were impressed. He said that we would be taken care of just like family as we are all brothers and sisters.”

The couple were on the road to becoming victims of “Affinity Fraud,” in which a con artist targets members of an identifiable group based on things such as age, religion and race.

Promised Completion Date

“That same day, we agreed to pay him $35,000 for a 14-foot trailer which would be in compliance with our county’s health department requirements and delivered, ready to operate on 4/30/21. We gave him the initial down payment of $8,500 and two additional payments in February in the same amount.

“It is now 4/27/22 and we do not have our trailer. He continues to avoid our phone calls and makes up lies and excuses. He sent us the pink slip to an incomplete trailer and we had to insure it!”

“Who Wants to Know?”

I wanted to speak with Jay and phoned his office. A gruff voice answered. “Yo!” “Hi, may I please speak with Jay? Is this Jay?” I asked. “Who wants to know?” was the response in a menacing tone.

“Yeah, it’s you Jay,” I replied. He hung up.

It took me less than five minutes to find a lawsuit filed against him in February of 2019 for breach of contract and theft. It stemmed from his August 2018 agreement to deliver a fully operational trailer to a couple within five weeks. They paid close to $17,000 in advance but Jay never completed the job.

I called his victim’s attorney. Now, litigation attorneys tend to have very thick skin, and it is rare to speak with one who shows their feelings, but that was how this couple’s lawyer reacted, sad and angry at what Jay was doing.

“He victimizes the Black community with promises of building food trucks and trailers, saying that he wants to help them establish their own business, but steals their money instead,” the attorney said, adding, “and his lawyer is one nasty, scary guy, so if you do talk with him, be warned.”

He was right. I called Jay’s lawyer and asked for permission to interview his client to get his side of the story. My newspapers will not print the language he used.

If They Had Only Searched Online

My readers admitted to having been so completely charmed by Jay that the need to do any background research didn’t occur to them. But if they had, and had found this post by “L,” things might have been so different:

“Jay stole $20,000 from me – don’t do business with him – BEWARE!!”

In a future article, we are going to take an in-depth look at the red flags anyone interested in buying a food truck or trailer needs to know. Elma points out:

“We have had people call us crying, relating the same kinds of things that happened to your readers, so you’ve got to do your homework and not be influenced by someone charming.”

Dennis Beaver practices law in Bakersfield and enjoys hearing from his readers. Contact Dennis Beaver.

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