PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman Goes To Court Over Security Guard Training Fraud
by Celeste Katz Saturday, Sep. 24, 2011 at 1:48 AM

Schneiderman notes that people don’t need to plunk down that much cash for security guard training programs – many free and low-cost programs already exist. People who have lost money in the scam can file a complaint with the Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau.

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman Goes To Court Over Security Guard Training Fraud

BY Celeste Katz

Not all security guard training programs provide job security. Some are straight-up scams.

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced today that his office has filed a lawsuit against C.P. International Security, Inc. and Gateway Production, Inc. The suit charges that the companies, operated by Charles and Nicole Pierre, tricked people into paying for training programs by promising non-existent security jobs.

The job listings were online and in print – especially in Chinese and Spanish-language newspapers. After people answered the ads, they were told that they had been selected for the position but first had to cough up $399 for a training program.

After the program ended, they found themselves with lighter wallets -- and no jobs.

"At a time when many New Yorkers struggle with unemployment and to make ends meet, this company took advantage of vulnerable, out-of-work New Yorkers to make a profit," Schneiderman said. "My office will not tolerate fraudulent, deceptive and illegal conduct. We will seek the maximum penalties against this company as well as restitution for defrauded consumers."

The lawsuit seeks payback for the thousands of people who lost money, in addition to shutting down the scam.

The AG’s office has gotten a temporary restraining order that freezes the company and the Pierres’ assets and bars them from advertising or selling the fake training program.

Schneiderman notes that people don’t need to plunk down that much cash for security guard training programs – many free and low-cost programs already exist. People who have lost money in the scam can file a complaint with the Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau.

SecurityGuardsTraining.Com 

NYAG Security Fraud Suit, http://www.docstoc.com/docs/96041851/NYAG-Security-Fraud-Suit

Tags: NYAG Security Fraud Suit, Armed Security Guard, Security Guard, Security Guard Jobs, Security Guard Training, Armed Security Guard, Security Guards, Security Officer, Security Officer Training, State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau.