Consumer First IS A BIG TIME RIP OFF Tampa Florida

It's not really a rebuttal. Consumer First of Tampa, FL, now Consumer Prefered is a RipOff, however I was trying to recruit someone to my Company, Consumer First, Cincinatti, Ohio and the first thing I got back from them was that there were over 1000 complaints on your sight. The two Companies are not the same and we forced them to change their name. That doen't matter to someone looking into our program who go to your site and see that many complaints. They see the number, not the content. It is imperative that you make ever effort to distiduish the difference right when the search is complete. Here are the particulars. I tried the rebuttal link and nothing came up. I do not however wish to lead anyone into the arms of Consumer Preferred (formerly Consumer First) Tampa, FL.

Please let me know how you intend to proceed.

Consumer First - Consumer1st - Consumer 1st no not ripoff reputable trustworthy sound upright honest decent dependable reliable respectable Cincinnati Ohio

Consumer Update: Consumer FIRST is pleased to announce that the other Consumer First has voluntarily changed their name to Consumer Preferred, LLC. This information was conveyed to us in writing on May 6, 2003 from Consumer Preferred's attorneys. We are confident that this will bring an end to any confusion that may have existed in the marketplace. - May 8, 2003

Questions have arisen regarding another company illegally using the Consumer FIRST name. It is important that the facts in this matter be made public.

This other company is based in Tampa, Florida and offers credit cards for a fee. These credit cards are apparently never delivered once payment is made. This firm has received extensive coverage on a deceptive business website - The RIP-OFF Report.

It should be made clear that this other company is not related or affiliated with Consumer FIRST, LLC. Furthermore, Consumer FIRST, LLC owns all rights and interest in the Consumer FIRST name as covered in our filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The Consumer FIRST name is our registered property and we maintain the exclusive rights to conduct business under that name in virtually all areas of the financial services industry. Our trademark includes exclusive use of the Consumer FIRST name in credit card services, debit card services, stored value cards, electronic transactions, funds transfer and ATM services, to name a few areas covered by this trademark.

Our legal counsel has sent a 'cease and desist' notice to the Tampa-based company who is illegally conducting business under our name. They have also notified Mr. Bob Butterworth, the Attorney General for the State of Florida. We have not yet received a response from the other company and they continue to operate illegally using our name. We will be escalating legal actions against them until they stop using our good name.

If you or anyone you know have problems with Consumer First of Tampa, Florida - please contact the Attorney General for the State of Florida.* This matter is under active investigation. Consumer FIRST will continue to pursue all legal remedies until this is resolved.

While this matter concerns us, we must continue to focus on doing what's right for our Consumer Advocates, customers and business partners. We are dedicated to operating Consumer FIRST in a fair, honest and professional manner - The Way It Should Be!

* Attorney General for the State of Florida

Division of Consumer Services: (850) 488-2221 or within Florida (800) 435-7352
Economic Crimes Office: (813) 233-2972