PETITIONER COMMENTS (Small but Typical Sample)

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“Bernie Madoff took about $50 billion from well-heeled investors, hedge funds and the like. Despite plenty of information from whistle blowers and concerned citizens and experts alike, product-based and ‘gifting’ pyramid schemes have robbed consumers of significantly more than that over the past few years. It's time to pay attention!”

“Having analyzed the compensation plans of almost 300 MLM companies and resultant abysmal earnings of participants, I fully support efforts by Congress and the Obama administration to have new FTC commisssioners appointed who will look after the interests of consumers, rather than of fraudulent MLM/chain selling schemes.”

“The Multi-level Marketing Scams need to be stopped! They are fraud. To many people are sold hope and the promise they will make millions.”

“People get talked into these by being sold a “business opportunity”---almost always people who need a real opportunity. Please put an end to these schemes! (I am a job seeker.)”

“I have personally been a distributor with Amway (Quixtar at the time), the largest Multi-level Marketing company in history, and I have found evidence of massive fraud going all the way to the top of the organization. The company has been protected for far too long, and the deception needs to be exposed. It will only continue to hurt the economy worldwide if it is allowed to keep lying to its distributors and to the public.”

“The fraudulent business practices of MLM's is truly a stain on our nation and our economy during this difficult time. Please take action to protect our citizens from these fraudulent companies and individuals.”

“Yes, please this is very important. When economic times are hard more and more people fall victim to these scams and schemes which masquerade as very legitimate”

“I readily sign this petition. I suffered significant losses in 18 months in Quixtar, and witnessed losses for others much more severe than mine. I know and understand what the real rules and regulations are, and the fact that they are ignored.”

“Stop the Standard MLM scams....please!”

“I have a close friend who is in an apparent pyramid scheme. Before he got sucked in, he was majoring in mechanical engineering. Very bright guy. He was sporting 4.0's and was a genius at math and chemistry. Now he's out of college and all he's doing now is promoting a scam. He's also in debt of $50,000 owed to the banks. What a shame. I sent a report to the FTC and I want this pyramid scheme shut down more than ever before.”

“I was ignorant of this type of thing. I recently got recruited - and paid a 100.00 fee for a background check on Jan 21st for a “position” to sell financial products through affiliates of a company called World Financial Group - a subsidiary or Aegon.”

“YTB needs to be stopped, as do other travel MLM's in telling people they will make money selling travel, when in fact the only money being made is in recruiting.”

“The types of schemes highlighted in the attached petition cost Americans millions of dollars each year. While no one can protect consumers from everything - and common sense must come into play - vigorous enforcement of existing regulations will substantially benefit society at large in the long run. A thorough investigation will help highlight the weak points in existing regulations and enforcement, resulting in carefully targeted improvements. Thank you for taking the time to consider and act on the attached petition.”

“Sadly, the majority of people don't make a dime off of these schemes. It's time for stricter regulation. Thank you.”

“Please take a deeper look into pyramid schemes. A good many people fall for these and only deeper investigation and enforcement can bring a end to it. As we have seen recently these Ponzi/Pyramid schemes can hurt many, and action needs to be taken to stop them before they get out of hand. Thank you.”

“END THE PROLIFERATION OF SUCH ILLICIT BUSINESSES!!”

“MLM Travel Agencies are just a way to rip off people.”

“Thank you for all your efforts to protect all of us from those unsavory perpetrators of these misleading marketing schemes.”

“Consumer protection is imperitive. I am tired of the crooks getting rich.”

“MLM in the travel business in particular preys upon those that can least afford to lose money. They promise riches, free travel, etc. and all then end up doing is ruining the reputation of honest Travel Agents. Among those that need to be stopped are YTB, World Ventures, Traverus, Coastal Vacations, and I'm sure many others. These pyramid schemes do nothing but make the people at the top rich and those at the bottom lose their whole “investment.”

“Can someone please stop the damage that is happening to families and children because of mlm. The evidence is everywhere and on a world wide basis.”

“I have seen countless people invest in Multi-level marketing programs multiple times only to waste their money and never to realize they are being scammed. The government needs to protect people from these con artists and their companies.”

“Pyramid Schemes are poision. Their recruiting methods use fear and Intimation,they are destoying people and their famillies.”

“Let's put an end to deceit and fraud that multi level marketing or network marketing produces. God Bless”

“I would like to see the investigation begin into Herbalife and Amway immediately. All the money I have lost in Amway and seeing friends throw their money away on Herbalife is frightening. It does no good to make complaints, maybe if they were finally investigated and exposed for the frauds they are and ultimately shut down then things would change. Both are the perfect examples of pyramid schemes and multi level marketing frauds.”

“I wholeheartedly endorse the idea of going after the many multilevel pyramid schemes that are spreading throughout the economy. Especially, I was harmed by the Amway/Quixtar scheme, that is obviously operating completely out of line with their agreeement with the FTC in the 1970's.”

“They have been sanctioned or fined in several foreign juristictions such as India and England, but not here.”

“There are some good home based businesses getting a bad name from the majority of selling schemes out there, I have stepped into a couple and eventually recognized the scam, and got away fast, yet my wife has been in an honest MLM business for 9 years, everything in it is straight up honest, You work, you get paid. Please investigate the many MLMs, I can't believe that no one (IRS) has investigated Amway tools cash business developed by the distributors.”