National Business Consultants, Inc.
Also known as: NBC.
The FTC alleged that National Business Consultants made false claims about consulting assignments, earnings, deposit refunds, and successful references. A federal court ruled for the FTC, and later collections funded consumer refunds.
Resolved. Refunded, settled, ceased operating, or the claim did not hold up. Kept for the record.
Identity
Published so you can confirm this entry refers to the party you are checking, and not to somebody who shares a name.
- Registrations
- FTC action against National Business Consultants, Inc. (U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, 1989)
- Jurisdictions
- United States (federal)
A federal judgment led to consumer refunds
The Federal Trade Commission’s 1989 complaint alleged that National Business Consultants, Inc. and owner Robert Namer sold consumers the opportunity to become business or sales consultants after paying performance deposits. The agency alleged that NBC falsely said it would provide consulting assignments, removing the need for consumers to market their own services.
The FTC also alleged that participants were told they were likely to earn between $35,000 and $100,000 per year. Other challenged claims concerned refunds of performance deposits, the assertion that 97 percent of consultants qualified for those refunds, and references who were presented as successful consultants. The complaint also charged violations of the Franchise Rule.
In 1991, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana ruled in the FTC’s favor and entered a $3 million judgment against the defendants. The release says the U.S. Attorney for that district later pursued additional collection proceedings. In December 2014, the Department of Justice reached a settlement with Namer under which he agreed to pay $1.84 million. He was also required to provide further consumer redress, including $2,000 each month for 10 years.
In March 2015, the FTC announced 358 refund checks totaling $939,207.78. The initial checks returned more than 41 percent of recipients’ losses, and the average check was $2,623.49.
Sources
Every claim above rests on one of these. Open them and check.
- Enforcement action March 27, 2015
Right of reply
If you are named here and something is wrong, dispute this entry. There is no charge, the route never expires, and your response is published unedited.
Other coaching & business opportunity entries
See all coaching & business opportunity entries, or browse the full record.
First recorded March 27, 2015 · Last updated March 27, 2015