same as ken - left messages - identified himself as a recruiter in LA representing a company in NY ("ACT"?). saw resume on monster - began asking questions to qualify my job search requirements and stated his firm had a number of executives in my industry who would help avoid pitfalls in the search process. identified as jordan willis. when I asked if they were retained by the employer, he stated no - they were retained by the candidate. I said I was not prepared to pay anyone on such a basis, and while explaining why - I noticed he dropped off the line. no big deal...just another shtick

Howard Nestler (201) 224-4921 100 Winston Dr, Cliffside Park, NJ 07010.
Hal James/Hal Jones/Hal Jacobs-All Howard Nestler.

ACT - Now operating under WIN. Same clown; Howard Nestler but with a new name.  Watch out...No longer Hal Jones, Hal James, Hal Jacobs

You can't fake record with the BBB ?  You certainly can and theirs is just one example.  The BBB is paid for and funded by subscribers i.e. the businesses themselves.  So who do you think gets burden of proof in these ?  The consumer of course and you have to jump through a bunch of hoops to just file a complaint.  Also, if you call the BBB you will find they are MONTHS behind in posting complaints and follow ups.  I put mine in almost 2 months ago without any response from ACT, and it has yet to show up on the BBB.

Let me add a few new identies to the list here (all have been reported to the AG's office of NY and ME and the FBI):  Rich Stubbin, Dave Satinoff, and Pat Sullivan.  The identity of Scott Stogegbauer and Allan Granite was used on me as a reference.  Now if any of these people are "real" they should step forward and report there scammer boss to the authorities ASAP.  

If you have been scammed as we have PLEASE report to the AG's office of NY and ME.  Complaining here is great since it warns everyone but how about we shut him down instead!

A little advice to the person so willing to offer it.  Are you just as willing to take the risk and be responsible for your own behavior? Are you suggesting that you are actually a client of this company?  That all the DBA names posted under ACT are simple imagination?  That there is a real Hal Jones who made you comfortable enough to take this risk?  I can see why a big shot like yourself, who gambles and loses more than $5,000 in a Vegas casino, might see legitimate concerns as foolish.  Especially, if that person is Hal Jones or whatever name, or disguise is being used.  Generally, the only people conceited enough to boast about their own bravado are those that gamble with others people’s money.  What most people don’t realize it is these same people, those with the most to loose, who want you to believe that the story is real, so they can take your money and play the odds in Vegas.  It is those foolish enough to fall for the “sting” like the one you offer, those that believed Hal Jones and ACT were real because of the comments they read from people like yourself.  But don’t take my word for it, ask Bernie Madoof, or better yet ask Hal Jones, or is it Hal James, or Hal Jacobs, or is it Howard Nestler?  

Tell me; are you foolish enough to think you are going to continue get way with this?   My advice to you…gets a real job!

Hal Jones was Hal James was Hal Jacobs is Howard Nestler is Act is fresheffort.com is presidentceo.net is Executive Options Inc. is The Executive Club.

Desperate times dictate that desperate people do desperate things. What a very clever and deceptive response.  Frankly, who would offer such a long and glowing testimonial with absolutely no proven results?  

Does Hal James? Hal Jones? Hal Jacobs, or Howard Nestler, expect that anyone who does any due diligence is not going to realize that ACT was The Executive Club, was Executive Options Inc., was fresheffort.com and is now operating under presidentceo.net.

How is it that the BBB in Sebago Lake ME., is registered under all three companies; ACT, The Executive Club and Executive Options Inc.? All of which, have been in business since 1988. Do you think this is just a coincidence?

What about this company is real?  Lets start with the $4900 debit to your account. Frankly, that is about it.  Add Scott Stogegbauer to the list. Once you are reeled in he turns into Scott Stevens the client advocate. A legitimate company would be not hiding under hidden identities and phony company shells.

For more information please view my comments under ACT/Hal James Ripoff Report.

I got called by this company a few months ago.  I didn’t sign up because I had just been laid off, I had a good cushion, and thought I was in the running for a new job.  Four rounds of interviews there, a half a dozen elsewhere and six months later, I realized perhaps I could use some assistance.  They called me again recently and I decided to give it some careful thought this time as I summarily dismissed them during a previous conversation.  I asked the salesperson about all of these posts online and got direct and detailed answers.  I also did some digging on my own.  

I saw some complaints online but most of it looked like sour grapes to me.  I don’t expect everybody to be happy with any company.  Whiners don’t get anywhere in life so I am not surprised some of these people didn’t get placed quickly.  It is a recession so one's expectations should be adjusted accordingly as well.  In my research, I also found out there are two companies using similar names and it is clear from the above postings some of you are getting them confused.

In my conversations with the salesperson, I asked about the comment regarding the company representative listed above who allegedly was reciting a curse.  I got a good laugh from that ridiculous comment.  The “curse” was nothing more than a man speaking to somebody in the background in a foreign language.  The last time I checked, being bilingual was a trait to be respected, yet in the Internet age where everybody is so quick to judge and afraid of their own shadow, it turns into a curse.  I find that amusing as it affirms the fear based mentality that holds one back in life.  It appears none of you have actually done business with this company, yet you are quick to call it a scam and give recommendations to others based on no substantial experience of your own.

In my talks with the company, I was also given references of past clients, which somebody else listed here as company representatives.  A past client is not a representative.  The references all checked out.  They were happy with the company’s work and it was easy for me to verify their stories to my satisfaction; as such, I am signing with the company posthaste.  Even if none of this checked out, I would have signed on anyway.  The price tag is a small risk to take.  I’ve lost more money on a hand of poker in Vegas.  I can afford the relatively small risk.

Since you are all so quick to give advice, here is my advice to you.  If you can’t afford to take a risk, don’t do it, but think twice before you post ridiculous comments like the ones above.  You can’t delete this malicious gossip once you post it and companies do get harmed as a result of this nonsense.  Be responsible for your own behavior and don’t be so quick to point fingers based on hearsay.  If you are legitimately hurt by a company, choose a legitimate method of resolving the issue.  This company clearly has little trouble with real clients as it has only one complaint listed with the BBB and it is resolved.  That’s quite a track record for twenty years.  A business cannot fake its record with the BBB.

You might as well add Hal Jones, Patti Berg, and Allan Grenitz to this list as they are the new names representing ACT. And the website is called presidentceo.net and the password is 10.

Hal Jacobs is Hal James is Howard Nestler is Act is fresheffort.com is Executive Options Inc. is The Executive Club.

Same game as above but from a female at 7177734114, company is ACT

Jordan Willis same deal, called, said he saw my resume, works for candidate.

Got two voice mail calls from 310-928-3586.  

One msg. left on home phone. 2nd msg. left on mobile phone.

I retrieved the messages and recognized the 310 area code to be LA area. Thought the call was suspicious: 1) Call was at 7:00 am PDT..I don't know any recruiters who call that early unless first agreed upon.  2) Did not leave a company name  3) Said name was Jordan Willis (same as others here noted) and saw CV on Monster. 4) I did call back and a boyish sounding voice said "Hello". Most legit firms have a receptionist answer. I'd read this blog because the msg. did not sound legit.I called the number and when it sounded like a boy at a residence I told him I had the wrong number and hung up.  I suspect it is not a legitimate recruiting firm.

They are using monster.com's resume database to call people and try to pre-qualify for some sort of placement service. Sounds shady. I didn't qualify twice. First call, I undershot their salary requirement which is probably around $150-200k annually. Second time, I told them I was only interested in online media jobs. He hung up each time after figuring I wasn't qualified.

Jordan Willis called said he was with Act, an executive search firm. Said he saw my resume on Monster. Said that they have been in business for 20+ years as an executive marketing firm. Claimed they have had 85-95% placement of clients over the last 6 months. Claimed most clients are placed in 3-6 months. Says they put you in contact with current execs that help you network and talk to company presidents, CEO's, etc. He said that Act charges the candidate $4900 upfront fee. Claims that most hiring companies will reimburse the fee. He asked if one of their executives can call me tomorrow to further discuss their program (and I guess put on the hard sell). I said yes (and might report on that discussion, as well). I asked for their web site. He said is was fresheffort.com. Web site was just a login page requiring a password and did not make mention of the company name. It feels suspicious and is probably a scam. A successful 20+ year company would not be hard to find on the web. My recommendation is not to sign up with them.

Jordan Willis just left me a message, he is a scam artist, he called me 2 months ago and when I asked to spell his firm and send me information about his credentials/firm, he hung up.

Jordan Willis called and said he saw my husband's resume and wanted to speak with him to learn what type of job he was looking for. I aked but he offered no additional information except that he was calling from LA. He appears to be working from a list and cold calling.

Left me a message without identifying the firm he represented - I assume he was selling job search services

Jordan Willis called to offer a service to help me get placed.  Nice guy!  Mght use their service!

Left message, said he saw my resume (must have been on monster). I suspect it's some kind of "search" service.

A little advice to the person so willing to offer it.  Are you just as willing to take the risk and be responsible for your own behavior? Are you suggesting that you are actually a client of this company?  That all the DBA names posted under ACT are simple imagination?  That there is a real Hal Jones who made you comfortable enough to take this risk?  I can see why a big shot like yourself, who gambles and loses more than $5,000 in a Vegas casino, might see legitimate concerns as foolish.  Especially, if that person is Hal Jones or whatever name, or disguise is being used.  Generally, the only people conceited enough to boast about their own bravado are those that gamble with others people?s money.  What most people don?t realize it is these same people, those with the most to loose, who want you to believe that the story is real, so they can take your money and play the odds in Vegas.  It is those foolish enough to fall for the ?sting? like the one you offer, those that believed Hal Jones and ACT were real because of the comments they read from people like yourself.  But don?t take my word for it, ask Bernie Madoof, or better yet ask Hal Jones, or is it Hal James, or Hal Jacobs, or is it Howard Nestler?  

Tell me; are you foolish enough to think you are going to continue get way with this?   My advice to you?gets a real job!

I got called by this company a few months ago.  I didn?t sign up because I had just been laid off, I had a good cushion, and thought I was in the running for a new job.  Four rounds of interviews there, a half a dozen elsewhere and six months later, I realized perhaps I could use some assistance.  They called me again recently and I decided to give it some careful thought this time as I summarily dismissed them during a previous conversation.  I asked the salesperson about all of these posts online and got direct and detailed answers.  I also did some digging on my own.  

I saw some complaints online but most of it looked like sour grapes to me.  I don?t expect everybody to be happy with any company.  Whiners don?t get anywhere in life so I am not surprised some of these people didn?t get placed quickly.  It is a recession so one's expectations should be adjusted accordingly as well.  In my research, I also found out there are two companies using similar names and it is clear from the above postings some of you are getting them confused.

In my conversations with the salesperson, I asked about the comment regarding the company representative listed above who allegedly was reciting a curse.  I got a good laugh from that ridiculous comment.  The ?curse? was nothing more than a man speaking to somebody in the background in a foreign language.  The last time I checked, being bilingual was a trait to be respected, yet in the Internet age where everybody is so quick to judge and afraid of their own shadow, it turns into a curse.  I find that amusing as it affirms the fear based mentality that holds one back in life.  It appears none of you have actually done business with this company, yet you are quick to call it a scam and give recommendations to others based on no substantial experience of your own.

In my talks with the company, I was also given references of past clients, which somebody else listed here as company representatives.  A past client is not a representative.  The references all checked out.  They were happy with the company?s work and it was easy for me to verify their stories to my satisfaction; as such, I am signing with the company posthaste.  Even if none of this checked out, I would have signed on anyway.  The price tag is a small risk to take.  I?ve lost more money on a hand of poker in Vegas.  I can afford the relatively small risk.

Since you are all so quick to give advice, here is my advice to you.  If you can?t afford to take a risk, don?t do it, but think twice before you post ridiculous comments like the ones above.  You can?t delete this malicious gossip once you post it and companies do get harmed as a result of this nonsense.  Be responsible for your own behavior and don?t be so quick to point fingers based on hearsay.  If you are legitimately hurt by a company, choose a legitimate method of resolving the issue.  This company clearly has little trouble with real clients as it has only one complaint listed with the BBB and it is resolved.  That?s quite a track record for twenty years.  A business cannot fake its record with the BBB.

Yesterday I received a call from "John at ACT" caller-IDed at this number.  My wife picked up the phone, and told me afterward that he was making some sort of weird noises until she spoke.  (She said it sounded like he was pronouncing a curse; if you've seen _Second Sight Detective Agency_, think of John Larroquette's psychic spoof in the chief's office, and that's the kind of sounds she says he was making.)

He told me they had found my CV, but didn't tell me Monster until I asked.  After a brief conversation he asked whether a "C-level position" was appropriate (CTO, CEO, COO, etc.).  I'd never heard that term before.  Apparently I passed the first test because one of his 'senior executives' is calling me this afternoon.  He made a point of telling me that there's no charge for this second conversation.

He gave me the http://fresheffort.com/ site URL, and the password mentioned in another note on this blog, and I scanned the site.  Pretty sparse on information, particularly on pricing, but it makes it clear that they're paid by the *candidate* not the employer.

Dunno if they have any guaranty; I'll ask this PM.

Email received - My name is Jennifer Coburn and I work with a company called ACT. We are an executive marketing firm, exclusively serving high level executive candidates. I found your resume on Monster and wanted to see if you would be interested in talking to a senior executive about your current situation, your resume and obviously your career.

We work with senior corporate executives earning $100,000 or higher. We work with you for up to 2 years even after you have found a permanent or contracted position with our help. About 60% of the jobs out there right now are unpublished, so you will not find them on Monster, CareerBuilder or any other job posting site. We have relationships with companies nationwide looking to hire someone with corporate level experience.

Let me know if you have some time this week and I can set up an appointment for one of my senior executives to contact you via telephone.

Our website is www.fresheffort.com and the password is 10. Feel free to check us out, there is a great Press area on the site. We are also a member of the BBB, where we have an A++ rating.

Looking forward to talking with you soon.

Jennifer Coburn
ACT Sales Executive
305-230-6816