Experiences at National Association of Professional Women

Just Google "NAPW" and "scam" and read the hundreds of reports from angry people who were taken by this scheme. Here's a website that has some frightening information of the NAPW and its founders: http://www.napw-exposed.com

Thanks to everyone who preceeded me on this. I got the card in the mail today, and thanks to this website, I know enough to rip up the card and throw it away.

Barbara Murray, New Hampshire

I received the 'infamous' card today, advising me that I was accepted for the membership.......and that there is no cost or obligation....It seemed fishy, so I googled it, and am I glad I did! Thank you, all for your valuable input and for saving me from the potential headaches

I just received the NAPW membership card and immediately thought something was wrong. I looked at their website and something seemed amiss. I looked into the matter further and found this site... I just hope this site is read by more women before any more money changes hands!! A red flag always pops up when I am asked to send or give any personal information to an unknown party. Can anything be done to stop this?

AS
Arizona...

I LOVE NAPW! I'm not quite sure how you deem this a racket. NAPW is a great organization for professional women. I use it all the time. I love the discounts I get on seminars and business services. And I love reading about other amazing professional women. I've networked with some people and found we can help each other. The content is great as well....

I joined NAPW. I went through the same things with "restricted" phone calls and a sales pitch, in which the rep called me on four different occassions. I do know the difference, however in that nothing in life is free-recession or NOT. Its one thing to join a line of scams, but the other side of it is potentially joining a forum with respectable women who PAY for memberships so we can weed out the "freebies" who join just to say they have done so. I was looking forward to the networking opportunities and seminars. I would have to say that the seminars are featured on the forum, however it is a bit difficult to maneuver as the web pages "time out" constantly. There are mentor/mentee programs that you can also involve yourself in networking opportunities with women in your field. Further, I expected blogs, but NAPW simply recommends the blogging sites you should explore. Finally, they do give you a nice black membership card thats definitely nicer than your regular business card, not to say that warrants paying for a membership. If I have to complain about anything, would be the functionality and features of the website. Other than that, I have had no problems with fraudulent related activities....

I also got an invitation in the mail, but smelled a rat immediately since it didn't list the cost or benefits of joining. After googling them and reading this website and checking out the RippOff Report website I decided to send back their invitation postcard with a message of my own to them. I encourage everyone who reads this to do the same. If they start getting enough of these back, they may decide to drop this scam....

I just got off the phone with a similar pushy sales woman that was basically acting like I insulted the organization when I said I would have to decline the invitation to be a member. The number was blocked and she also asked me about my professional experience, education, and career aspirations. She even said she was going to feature me on their website. I knew something was fishy when she kept insisting I give her the money while on the phone. I even asked if she could call back later, after I had time to research the organization more. I asked for her to send me more information on the membership and she said she couldn't because the welcome kit is tailored to the type of membership you have. She said that the invitation to join is only available through the phone. I told her I didn't feel comfortable giving my credit card information out and if she couldn't send me anything in writing that I didn't want to join. Boy am I glad I went with my gut instinct on this!!!!...

I have the same story, and am embarrased to say I fell to the ego building line. Has anyone been able to reverse the charges?

Ladies, Beware! I got that same call, that same smooth pitch, that same work up about how I was accepted and would be an elite member, but I was ready for the hook. I knew from the moment I got their card in the mail, it was a lot of funny business going on. Nobody ask for money or a credit card number over the phone. You do it on line... The woman even had the nerve to huff and puff each time I said NO in NO UNCERTIAN TERMS... I've warned all the business women I know to beware and not to fall for the scam......