Virtual Assistant Forums | Work from Home

JKVirtualOffice · #1 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008

I received a call to my just recently acquired 888 number that I got through Ring Central from someone stating that they were calling from Merchant Circle Verification and that someone had seen my listing on Merchant Circle and wanted to verify that I was legitimate business. They told me to login on the Merchant Circle website to verify.

The thing is, I've never set up a page or listing with Merchant Circle.

Has anyone else received a similar message?

Write Associate · #2 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008

Yes! I just got this message too. The thing is, though, that I do have a Merchant Circle listing so I didn't think much of it. I wonder what the deal is...?

JKVirtualOffice · #3 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008

Well, I went to the website they mention merchantcircle dot com and really it just looks like they are trying to get phone numbers and people to sign up. I think it's mostly phishing.

I'm glad to know you got it too though.

kathiemt · #4 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008

I had someone contact me and asked me to verify them on Merchant Circle. I am not a member there and I didn't know the VA personally either - it's just that she's seen me on various lists and thought I would be good to do that. I explained that since I didn't know her personally I couldn't possibly give her a verification and that I wasn't a member at Merchant Circle either. Not sure what they're doing over there or what they're encouraging members to do but it seems strange to me.

EliteBiz · #5 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008

I frequent Merchant Circle and I did receive a phone call regarding getting verified. They are just trying to get money out of you. When I log in it shows me the "badge" I can have on my listing for so much a month or so much a year. I don't need it. But it's probably just a sales thing they are trying to get people to buy a 'verified badge'.

My Office Zilla · #6 (**permalink**) 07-24-2008

Unfortunately their activity seems to grow more and more suspect. I received another call yesterday, or maybe the day before, in addition to the one I received a couple months ago. There was a discussion about their "new" sales pitching habits at this thread. It would seem their behavior isn't improving.

On the other hand, this morning I received an invitation to be affiliated from a company in my neighborhood, which I accepted, so somebody is still using MC!

Make it a great day!

Virtually Handled · #7 (**permalink**) 07-24-2008

I got a voicemail today as well and I am on Merchant Circle. I just deleted it after reading an earlier thread.

Remote Admin Services · #8 (**permalink**) 07-25-2008

I got that same phonecall about two days ago. I checked in and found that the verification badge cost 38.99 a year and no such customer record asking if I was a reputable business. Not good about the phone call, but good to know I am not the only one who got the message.

What irks me is that I have been raving about MC for quite awhile. I do not have many connects, but they are connected based on my recommendation. If they all get the phone call, what does that say about my reputation?

I hope they clean up their act soon. Otherwise I'll have to take down my MC icon and a post about MC on my blog. I've had many hits to my website thanks to MC, and I would really hate to see this go south.

You can opt out of the phone calls by going to: http://www.merchantcircle.com/optout...?reason=optout

EliteBiz · #9 (**permalink**) 07-25-2008

I have also had many hits on my hits on my website so I do like the free advertising it's giving me.

vjnes · #10 (**permalink**) 07-26-2008

Hi Kathy, I didn't think there was any harm in asking you to verify me. I know we don't know each other personally, I had felt comfortable asking since you and I had chatted a number of times about joining your team last year. I have other references and you and a few other VAs that I look up to came to mind, that is all.