In 2008, I was a nutritionist with a private practice and a three-year-old daughter who demanded much of my attention. I quickly realized that I could not continue to take on clients regularly. I also was looking for a way to parlay my talents online.
At the same time, a friend introduced me to a woman who specialized in Internet marketing and offered a coaching program for business owners in my position.
I had some doubts because I couldn't find anything about her online. But I had had previous experience with other Internet businesses, and she offered a 100% satisfaction money-back guarantee. After much deliberation, I paid $5,500 for her telemarketing course.
I was immediately dissatisfied. There wasn't nearly enough detail for someone like me who was completely unfamiliar with Internet marketing. When I tried to ask for a refund she refused, claiming that I wasn't doing enough to implement her program.
I learned there were other dissatisfied people from her class who were also trying to get their money back and could not.
I filed complaints with the FBI Cyber Crimes unit, as well as the state of California where she is based. Unfortunately, I still haven't gotten any of my money back. But on the bright side, I've learned a lot. And I now help other small businesses maximize their online marketing, ethically, of course.
Diann Cattani's embezzlement of a small business started off as an innocent mistake and then quickly got out of control.
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