171 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

A bit of a muck-up with the $6.7M figure, since it’s a US settlement. The actual settlement in CAD is $9.5M.

[Victoria Watcher]

so they essentially allowed firms that “fix” computer problems to bill via credit card? firms that might have installed the ransomware to begin with?

[spanky123]

so they essentially allowed firms that “fix” computer problems to bill via credit card? firms that might have installed the ransomware to begin with?

 

Here is a CBC report that was published nearly 6 years ago.

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=heGRVYhc8dA

 

One will note however that it was the US authorities that finally cracked down. Canda's 'cops' are nowhere to be found.

Edited by spanky123, 25 April 2020 - 10:40 AM.

[Mike K.]

Sounds like that’s the allegation. They made it possible for the scammers to get their money, it is alleged.

[Mike K.]

Bobbi Leach, on April 6th, wrote on the company’s webpage:

“We encourage local businesses to come together to support and assist the most vulnerable during this crisis. We need to step up as a community of businesses and entrepreneurs to help in any way possible as we weather this storm. Generosity, courage, and resilience must prevail in these challenging times.” - https://www.revenuew...eo-bobbi-leach/

Well, one could start by not processing the payments for scammers that prey on these people.

The company’s core values: Passion, customer driven, integrity: do the right thing.

[Mike K.]

Bobbi Leach has never been one for following rules, the prevailing trends or the crowds. A powerhouse of a personality and a natural leader, Leach has always been the kind of person to take the less obvious approach and clear the trails herself rather than walking down well-worn paths.

- https://www.timescol...rship-1.2217707

[spanky123]

Here are the details for anyone that wants to read through the FTC complaint.

 

https://www.ftc.gov/...es/revcomp3.pdf

[Mike K.]

Ok, just finished reading.

This goes back much further than I thought, like mid-00s.

[spanky123]

It goes back a very long time. If you follow the money lots and lots of companies played a role and/or benefitted.

[Mike K.]

So of the Viatec top-25, how many are we talking here?

[spanky123]

I don't think Viatec has run the top 25 for a number of years now. Was always the same companies anyways. I think this was the latest list from 2014. 

 

• AbeBooks.com

• Access Point Information Canada Ltd.

• Archipelago Marine Research

• AXYS Technologies Inc

• Beanstream

• Boardwalk Communications

• CAMACC Systems

• Carmanah Technologies

• Contech Enterprises, Inc

• FTS Forest Technology Systems

• HP Advanced Solutions

• JEA

• Latitude Geographics

• ParetoLogic

• Procura

• Quester Tangent

• Reliable Controls

• RevenueWire

• Schneider Electric

• Scott Plastics

• Seastar Chemicals

• TC-Helicon Vocal Technologies Inc.

• UNIT4 Business Software

• Vecima Networks

• Viking Air Limited

Edited by spanky123, 25 April 2020 - 12:35 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

ParetoLogic is about business and family. Father Julian Pereira showed his sons how to do business online -- the company's continuing focus. "He's the one who kind of inspired us," said Elton, 34.

 

The company's initial product, XoftSpySE, was created to combat spyware, software that gathers information without the user being aware of it. ParetoLogic sold 350,000 applications in its first year. "We had instant cash flow from Day 1," he said.

 

Today, ParetoLogic has seven millions customers world-wide and 155 million downloads of its software, Pereira said.

 

Software products include privacy controls for parents, data recovery and anti-virus technology. Products are designed to be simple to use, operate quickly and not take up much space in the computer's system. ParetoLogic emphasizes customer support and service for average people at home, Elton said. "We are just trying to ensure that their PC experience is as positive as possible."

 

Family members in the business and the staff are motivated and welcome challenges, he said. "They want to grow. They want to compete."

 

RevenueWire, spun off from ParetoLogic three years ago, is an affiliate digital product network with 40 employees, Pereira said.

 

Coming up in the next year is a new business focusing on tracking any vulnerabilities in a business's websites, Pereira said. The aim is to find and block any holes that hackers could use and then give the website customer a certified stamp for its order page, providing in turn, peace of mind to that firm's customers with the aim of increasing sales.

 

ParetoLogic has collected several business honours. In June, it made Profit Magazine's Profit 100 list, ranking 23rd among Canadian companies by comparing revenue growth between 2004 and 2009.

 

https://www.timescol...branding-1.5186

 

 

2016:

 

I worked at RevenueWire full-time for more than a year

Pros

Snacks, coffee, generally good people. It's kind of cliquey but if you tow the line you can move up.

Cons

Look, the company on the surface is fine. It feels pretty normal to start. They act like everything is on the up and up... but if you are considering working here -- do your self a favour (I wish I did) and do a quick search for what they really do: Check the reviews for spinoffs ‘Safecart' & ‘Futurepay’ or the partner company ‘Paretologic’. Each of these has literally THOUSANDS of consumer complaints, almost all with a SCAM warning. The only positive reviews are from people thankful that they were granted a refund. Revenuewire can pass the buck because they position themselves as a processor, but the reality is 90% of the software they sell is a complete scam. Ethical companies would never use this service with even minimal due diligence. It's incredibly sad to find out you are a part of this scam after moving jobs. They prey on people who just don't understand before it’s too late (employees and customers). Before I left they at-least tried to distance themselves from their roots, but it’s all smoke and mirrors. Don’t be fooled, your paycheque comes from scamware preying on the elderly and misinformed. I know this review will be buried quickly by “Awesome!” reviews and high fives as required, but I had a friend almost apply so doing my part.

Advice to Management

Family picnics, golf tournaments, food drives and snacks for employees do not excuse what you are doing.

 

https://www.glassdoo...RVW12382265.htm

 

 

 

unfortunately that's all too common with software "solutions" sold directly to inexperienced consumers that don't know better.  the same set of companies that are providing the solution are the ones also making it appear that you have a problem.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 25 April 2020 - 12:54 PM.

[spanky123]

^ Yeah that is the thing. The 100+ people (mostly younger) that worked at both companies knew exactly what was going on. 

[Mike K.]

I’m sure there’s a joke in there somewhere of McAfee detecting Pareto’s software and deleting it out of existence (Pareto is no longer in operation but its legacy lives on under different companies).

[Mike K.]

Gustavson?

From UVic:

Gustavson Brand Trust Index shows consumer trust in brands sinks to all-time low

The Gustavson Brand Trust Index study shows that faith in brands is on the decline, even as society becomes more reliant on certain services and products during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In April, the brand trust research team at the Gustavson School of Business carried out a follow-up study to their report, conducted annually in January since 2015, to gauge changes in consumer trust in the wake of COVID-19.

“While trust in key institutions has been eroding significantly over the past few years, the average brand trust scores for all brands surveyed in 2020 are at an all-time low,” said Saul Klein, dean of the Gustavson School of Business.

Klein said this can be attributed to the rise in consumer skepticism, with consumers growing more conscious of their purchasing habits while closely watching the values brands stand for.

“Brands that were unable to make products available to customers during the pandemic saw a decline in trust scores,” said Klein. “For example, despite the fact that Lysol and Clorox enjoyed increased demand, they lost trust among consumers due to the scarcity of their products on shelves.”

The initial 2020 study was conducted between January and February of this year and measured 7,800 Canadian consumer opinions about 342 well-known corporate and product brands across 27 categories. This study showed that Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC), Canadian Automobile Association, Costco, Home Hardware and Home Depot ranked as the top brands overall.

A second, separate study was conducted in April and measured opinions from 1,050 Canadians of 105 brands from the original list. This post-COVID study indicated the most trusted brands during the pandemic were Canada Post, Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix and CTV News.

The Gustavson Brand Trust Index investigates consumer trust, the factors that affect it, the brands that succeed at it, and the brands that struggle with it. The team at the Gustavson School of Business established the index in 2015 to raise awareness of the role trust plays in the minds of consumers when making purchasing decisions. The index highlights how shared values, relationship management and customer experience influence consumer trust. It also measures the relationships between brand performance, social equity, trust and advocacy for brands in Canada.

🔹Other key findings

Trust in Canadian telecom companies is on the rise. Past year-on-year results had telecom companies showing signs of trouble with nearly all of the companies seeing a decline in their brand trust scores. This year, however, saw three out of the big four telecom companies show significant improvement after the pandemic struck.

Millennials are less trusting compared to any other generation. Millennials assign their loyalties to organizations that are proactive in solving long-standing social issues and contribute to making the world a better place. For example, Lush, with its history of donating to progressive groups and advocating for many causes, was the most trusted brand in Canada among ages 18-35.

The new role of a brand’s supply chain. The pandemic reinforced the need for brands to pay attention to their supply chains. For an organization to be trusted and seen as credible, it must ensure the availability and competitiveness of its products.

[spanky123]

When you donate $10m you get your name on a business school and an index!

[lanforod]

My suspicion for the brands that dropped the most: 2018 = Facebook; 2019 = Boeing.

[Rob Randall]

Gustavson?

From UVic:

Gustavson Brand Trust Index shows consumer trust in brands sinks to all-time low

 

When you donate $10m you get your name on a business school and an index!

 

You guys make your jokes but the fact is, those statistics are backed up by various other trusted local institutions, including the Ian Thow School of Financial Management and the Christophe Rocancourt Entrepreneurship Institute.

[spanky123]

^ I wasn't trying to make fun of PG. He has done a lot for the community and UVIC. He last company may not have been successful but he took a chance when many wouldn't and built a business that employed 150 people. 

[lanforod]

Whooosh.