The Chrisley Crime Family – Promoting scams?? no way!!

The Chrisley Crime Family – Promoting scams?? no way!!

The Chrisley family, known for their reality TV show Chrisley Knows Best, has endorsed several companies, some of which have faced allegations of scams, deceptive practices, or regulatory scrutiny. Below is a detailed analysis of key companies associated with the family, based on BBB ratings, customer complaints, legal actions, and media reports:

1. Allegiance Gold

  • Background: A precious metals dealer specializing in gold and silver IRAs.
  • Reputation Issues:
    • BBB Rating: F (not accredited), with over 100 complaints, many alleging high-pressure sales tactics, misleading claims about returns, and overcharging.
    • Legal Action: In 2022, a lawsuit accused Allegiance Gold of targeting elderly investors with fraudulent promises of “risk-free” investments. Customers reported paying up to 300% above market value for metals.
    • Regulatory Scrutiny: The SEC has warned about precious metals IRA scams, though Allegiance Gold hasn’t been directly cited. Competitors like Safeguard Metals have faced fines for similar practices.
  • Chrisley Connection: Todd Chrisley appeared in promotional videos, which critics argue lent credibility to a company with a history of exploiting retirees.

2. CBD American Shaman

  • Background: A CBD products retailer.
  • Reputation Issues:
    • BBB Rating: B (accredited), with complaints about unauthorized subscriptions, difficulty canceling orders, and unproven health claims (e.g., curing cancer).
    • Regulatory Concerns: While not directly warned by the FDA, the company markets CBD for medical benefits, which the FDA prohibits without approval. Competitors have received FDA warnings for similar claims.
    • Customer Backlash: Some users reported no effects from products, despite claims of “100% satisfaction.”
  • Chrisley Connection: The family promoted the brand in ads, potentially amplifying misleading health claims.

3. National Debt Relief

  • Background: A debt settlement company.
  • Reputation Issues:
    • BBB Rating: A+ (accredited) but with over 1,000 complaints. Common issues include hidden fees, poor communication, and failure to settle debts as promised.
    • Legal Risks: Debt settlement inherently risks credit damage, and some clients allege the company downplayed these risks.
  • Chrisley Connection: The Chrisleys starred in ads, which some critics called ironic given their own 2022 conviction for tax evasion and bank fraud.

4. Connsource (Utility Savings Consultant)

  • Background: A utility bill auditing service.
  • Reputation Issues:
    • BBB Rating: F (not accredited), with complaints about deceptive sales practices. Customers allege they were misled into long-term contracts with no savings.
    • Legal Action: Faced lawsuits in Texas for violating state consumer protection laws.
  • Chrisley Connection: The family promoted Connsource in commercials, which aired during their show’s peak popularity.

5. Tax Network USA

  • Background: A tax resolution service.
  • Reputation Issues:
    • BBB Rating: D (not accredited), with complaints about aggressive marketing and failure to deliver promised IRS settlements.
    • Industry Concerns: Tax relief companies are often criticized for preying on individuals with IRS debt.
  • Chrisley Connection: The Chrisleys appeared in ads, which aired before their own tax fraud conviction.

6. Prestige Labs (Supplements)

  • Background: A dietary supplement company selling products like “MetaboSpeed MAX” and “ThyroScript,” marketed for weight loss and thyroid support.
  • Reputation Issues:
    • BBB Rating: Not accredited, with complaints about unauthorized charges, difficulty canceling subscriptions, and products causing adverse reactions.
    • FDA Warnings: While not directly cited, the FDA has warned similar companies for making unproven health claims. Customers alleged Prestige Labs used fake testimonials.
    • Lawsuit: A 2020 class-action lawsuit accused the company of deceptive advertising and billing practices.
  • Chrisley Connection: Todd and Julie Chrisley promoted Prestige Labs on social media, claiming the supplements “changed their lives.” Critics argue this exploited their fanbase’s trust.

7. American Senior Benefits (Insurance)

  • Background: A Medicare insurance brokerage targeting seniors.
  • Reputation Issues:
    • BBB Rating: A+ (accredited), but over 200 complaints cite agents misrepresenting plan benefits, forged signatures, and aggressive upselling.
    • State Investigations: In 2021, Florida’s Department of Financial Services fined agents linked to ASB for unethical sales tactics.
    • Elder Targeting: Former employees admitted to cold-calling seniors with misleading claims about “free” benefits.
  • Chrisley Connection: The family appeared in commercials framing ASB as a “trusted partner for retirees,” despite the company’s history of complaints.

8. Community Tax (Tax Relief)

  • Background: A tax resolution firm promising to reduce IRS debt.
  • Reputation Issues:
    • BBB Rating: F (not accredited), with 300+ complaints accusing the company of taking upfront fees without resolving tax issues.
    • FTC Settlements: In 2019, the FTC fined its parent company, Innovative Wealth Building, for deceptive marketing.
    • Lawsuit: A 2022 lawsuit alleged Community Tax charged $10,000+ for “guaranteed” IRS settlements that never materialized.
  • Chrisley Connection: The Chrisleys promoted Community Tax in ads, despite their own tax fraud conviction.

9. Fit Tea (Detox/Weight Loss)

  • Background: A detox tea brand popularized by influencers.
  • Reputation Issues:
    • BBB Rating: F (not accredited), with complaints about hidden subscription charges ($80+/month) and false advertising (e.g., “lose 10 lbs in 1 week”).
    • FDA Scrutiny: The FDA warned similar teas for containing laxatives like senna, which can cause dependency.
    • Fake Endorsements: The company has been accused of fabricating celebrity endorsements.
  • Chrisley Connection: Savannah Chrisley promoted Fit Tea on Instagram in 2017–2018, later deleting posts after backlash.

10. Freedom Mentor (Real Estate Investing)

  • Background: A real estate coaching program run by Phil Pustejovsky.
  • Reputation Issues:
    • BBB Rating: D (not accredited), with complaints about 2,000–2,000–5,000 courses being “useless” and filled with upsells.
    • Trustpilot Reviews: 1.8/5 stars, with users calling it a “scam” that preys on aspiring investors.
    • Lawsuit: A 2023 lawsuit accused Pustejovsky of using fake success stories.
  • Chrisley Connection: Todd Chrisley hosted Pustejovsky on his podcast, praising the program as a “path to financial freedom.”

11. Timeshare Compliance LLC

  • Background: A timeshare exit company claiming to help owners cancel contracts.
  • Reputation Issues:
    • BBB Rating: F (not accredited), with 400+ complaints alleging the company charged 5,000–5,000–15,000 upfront but failed to deliver.
    • FTC Action: The FTC has sued similar companies for fraud, though Timeshare Compliance hasn’t been directly charged.
    • Lawsuit: A 2022 Florida lawsuit accused the company of violating state telemarketing laws.
  • Chrisley Connection: The family promoted timeshare exit services in radio ads, which aired alongside their show.

12. CreditRepair.com

  • Background: A credit score improvement service.
  • Reputation Issues:
    • BBB Rating: B (accredited), but 1,000+ complaints cite slow results, hidden fees, and unethical tactics (e.g., disputing accurate credit info).
    • CFPB Action: The CFPB has fined similar companies for misleading consumers about their ability to “guarantee” score increases.
  • Chrisley Connection: The Chrisleys appeared in ads for CreditRepair.com, which critics called hypocritical given their financial crimes.

Patterns and Ethical Concerns

  • Targeting Vulnerable Groups: Many promoted companies (e.g., Allegiance Gold, American Senior Benefits) focus on retirees, debt-ridden individuals, or those desperate for financial/health solutions.
  • Regulatory Gray Areas: Industries like CBD, tax relief, and supplements are loosely regulated, allowing companies to make inflated claims.
  • Celebrity Influence: The Chrisleys’ endorsements often lacked transparency, with Savannah deleting sponsored posts after complaints.

Conclusion

The Chrisleys’ portfolio of endorsed companies reveals a trend of partnering with businesses in ethically fraught industries. While not all are outright scams, many have significant consumer protection issues, particularly Allegiance GoldTimeshare Compliance, and Prestige Labs. Their endorsements—coupled with their own financial crimes—suggest a pattern of leveraging fame to monetize audiences without regard for due diligence. For further digging, explore FTC databases, PACER (court records), and Reddit/consumer forums for firsthand victim accounts.

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