By Mark Huffman
ConsumerAffairs.com
May 22, 2007
The Federal Trade Commission says that stored-value MasterCards have been sent to all eligible consumers who were victims of the SkyBiz pyramid scheme.
The cards, which must be activated before they can be used, have been loaded with a pre-set amount of money and can be used at any retailer worldwide that accepts MasterCard. The cards must be used by September 20, 2007, after which unused balances will be forfeited.
In early March, the FTC announced the deadline for consumers to submit claims in this case. That deadline has now passed, and no new claims are being accepted.
Details on the stored-value MasterCards that have been mailed to consumers who submitted redress applications and were found eligible are provided below:
• The cards must be activated online at www.skybiz-redress.com/svc. Consumers must have their claim number to activate their card. Detailed instructions can be found at www.skybiz-redress.com.
• Cards are valid for 120 days and will expire on September 20, 2007. Any unused amount will be forfeited after that date.
• Cards are being mailed to the address provided during validation or the last known address provided during claim submission.
• Consumers can go to www.skybiz-redress.com for further information and to view the card-activation instructions.
• To report a lost card, consumers can e-mail the redress administrator at skybiz-redress@robbevans.com. The e-mail should include the consumers full name, e-mail address, previous and current mailing address, and claim number and/or Web site names if they are known.
Background
In May 2001, the FTC filed suit in U.S. district court in Tulsa, Oklahoma, against SkyBiz and its principals, alleging that they promoted a pyramid scheme with claims of quick riches.
The complaint alleged the defendants used sales presentations, seminars, teleconferences, and its Web site to tout the opportunity to earn thousands of dollars a week by recruiting new associates into the program.
The cost to join the SkyBiz program was $125, supposedly to pay for an e-Commerce Web Pak. Focusing on the huge amounts of money participants could earn, the defendants encouraged participants to buy more than one Web Pak at a time. According to the Commission, the plan was a classic pyramid scheme, promoted by fraudulent earnings claims.
The case was scheduled to go to trial on January 16, 2003. By that date, the FTC also had pursued the case in the courts of Ireland and Bermuda, and received assistance from law enforcers in numerous countries including Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and Canada.
Before the trial, the defendants stipulated to a settlement that was entered by the court on January 29, 2003. The settlement provided $20 million for consumer redress and barred the defendants from participating in pyramid schemes or making specific earnings claims when promoting future business ventures.
