Iconglobalpublishing.com Reports & Reviews (3)
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SCAMPULSE
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SCAMPULSE
If you know any contact information for Iconglobalpublishing.com, help other victims by adding it!
Scammer's website www.iconglobalpublishing.com
Scammer's address 5718 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77057, USA
Scammer's email [email protected]
Country United States
Victim Location TX 77057, USA
Total money lost $5,000
Type of a scam Online Purchase
Scammer's website Iconglobalpublishing.com
Scammer's address 3903 Bellaire St Suite 111, Astrodome, TX 77025, USA
Scammer's email [email protected]
Country United States
Victim Location NC 28306, USA
Total money lost $145
Type of a scam Other
Scammer's website iconglobalpublishing.com
Scammer's address 13100 Wortham Center Dr 3rd floor, Houston, TX 77065, USA
Scammer's email [email protected]
Type of a scam Employment
On 08/26/2023.
I received a response for a request for a phone interview that was to take place 08/19/2023 at 10am. During my first interview I spoke with Carl Henegan, who claimed to be the CEO of Icon Global Publishing.
During my phone interview on 08/19/2023 Carl wanted to know where I lived to see if I was a reasonable distance from the office. I told him the general area I was staying in. I looked up the company via Google maps, the address listed was 1000 N Post Oak Rd., Houston, TX 77055 (the address on Google maps has since been changed to 13100 Wortham Center Dr., Houston, TX 77065). The address on the Indeed job listing is 3120 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77098.
When the address of the company was brought up I was given the Southwest Fwy address by Carl. When I brought up how the address is different on Google maps, Carl stated that they moved offices recently.
On 08/31/2023 I was contacted by Icon Global Publishing through Indeed at 7:51PM CDT with a request for a second phone interview that was to take place on 09/01/2023 at 3:00pm CDT (the original interview time was at 1:00pm CDT, but I was not available at that time, so Carl changed the time). During the second phone interview Carl asked me the orgins of my last name, and my locational history. I informed him I already had a job but I would be more than happy to work for him as well. I said I could drive to the office right after work, but probably need to bring a fresh pair of clothes. Carl told me I could change in the office and he would turn around and promised not to look.
After the phone interview I was sent a contract and an application. I was asked to submit a headshot along with it as it would be used for my work email picture (I noticed that Jade's email was void of. Profile picture). I filled out the application which asked for my full name, last four digits of my SSN, my address and how long I will live there, as well as my driver license number, and other personal information. I was also sent a contract to sign via DocuSign. The contract was incredibly vague about what my duties would be.
After I submitted my application I received an offer letter. The offer letter mentioned the names of my "coworkers": Kynnedi; a full-time office worker, Jade; a remote editor, Kandice; a "longtime employee, but works remotely", Lakshmi; a "local intern". None of these names are listed on IGP's LinkedIn page. The only employees listen on Icon Global Publishing's LinkedIn page are Carl, Shyanne, Kylie, and two profiles for Alexandria (who I assume is the same person since the first and last name are identical on both profiles).
On 09/02/2023 Carl and I communicated via texting (The number for Icon Global Publishing is listen as 713-364-2327 on Google Maps as well as IGP's website) Carl told me he set up a work email for me and gave me a password to log in. The instructions he texted me to log into my "work email" were: " 1. Log into your Google gmail 2. Click on your gmail logo ( top right hand corner). 3. Scroll down to where it says (add another account) . 4. Then click on (use another account) 5. Type in Email address and password". He asked me if I had a laptop, I told him I did not. I asked if I could use one of the office computers and he replied "I will figure it out. No worries. ;)".
I asked him to confirm the address I was to go to on my first day of work (09/05/2023). When I asked what the suite number was he replied: "You know that is a good question! LOL I will text it to you on Tues ok? I think they are still some remodeling so I am not 100% sure where they will have us."
Carl asked me to talk on the phone stating: "Also I will give you a call if you free to give you a lil more insight on how we set up and what we offer ok?". We arranged to speak on the phone on 09/03/2023 at 11:00am CDT.
On 09/03/2023, on the phone Carl told me he has been "in the business" for 15 years. When I asked if he was an author he said yes. He claimed that his books as well as the books from the authors under his company can not be found online because of issues with Amazon due to him moving his company from Pennsylvania to Houston. He said he has to "re-register" all the books from the authors under his publishing company. When I asked Carl what "re-registering" meant he avoided my question, and changed the subject.
Carl told me about my "coworkers": Jade, Kynnedi, Kandice and Lakshmi. I voiced my confusion since none of the people mentioned were on the LinkedIn page. Carl said that Jade, Kandice, and Kynnedi "just haven't updated their profiles" on LinkedIn yet. I found this odd since Carl said Jade and Kandice have worked for him for years.
When I brought up Shyanne, Carl said she does not work there anymore, (even though she is still listed as an employee on IGP's LinkedIn page). I voiced this to Carl and he said she just hasn't removed it from her profile yet.
When Carl talked about Kandice, I voiced my confusion again since Kyle is listed on IGP's LinkedIn page. Carl said Kylie only worked there for a couple of days. I also found this odd because Kylie's LinkedIn profile states she worked at IGP for four months.
Carl spoke about another previous employee, Alexandria. Carl stated that Alexandria was an intern who worked for him during the summer, but is no longer employed at his company, since she had to go back to school. There are two profiles for Alexandria under the employees section on IGP's LinkedIn page. On one of the profiles it states that Alexandria started working at IGP in August 2023.
Carl told me my first day was going to be 09/05/2023. I was told to go to 13100 Wortham Center Dr., Houston, TX, 77065 (which does not match the zip code or address on IGP's website, or job postings), go to the third floor and ask reception for Icon Global Publishing. When I asked if every floor had reception (the building he claims to be in is a commercial property that leases to small business) he said he didn't know. I inquired about the suite number again, but he wouldn't tell me. He said I was "too caught up in the details" and that he doesn't remember the suite number. He asked why I was making a big deal about the suite number, and to just go to the third floor, and ask reception to take me to him. I told him that I have yet to meet an employer who refused to discover the suite number to an employee. He said he didn't care about the suite number and that it doesn't matter. He said I was focusing too much on the details, and he would have to think a bit more on if he wanted to hire me or not. We ended the call.
* At one point during the phone conversation (on 09/03/2023) I pointed out that I was given a personalized email (I hadn't even started working yet), and asked why Jade did not have a personalized email. Carl said it was because Jade is a remote employee)
The next day (09/04/2023) I emailed Jade who's email is [email protected] (the same email I sent the application, contract and my photo). I suspect Jade is not a real person. I believe this email is controlled by Carl.
The email conversation:
Me: "Hi Jade!
I talked with Carl Henegan yesterday morning and he went through some of my duties as an office assistant. From my understanding one of my duties is media moderation.
I have some notes I'd love to share with you!"
Jade: "Hello [my first name]!
You may want to get with Carl about that. Looks like you may be stepping a head a little bit and from my understanding. He is wanting me to step in until he is sure that you are the right fit for now. At least when I spoke with him yesterday that is what I was told. I will let him know you reached out to me but you really should be communicating with him directly.
Jade "
Me: "That's understandable. Thank you for letting me know.
I doesn't seem like this is going to work out. Im requesting to be freed of the contract I was sent. I am also requesting for my application to be destroyed. I don't feel comfortable with this company having my address, SSN, driver's license number and other personal information.
Thank you,
[My name]"
Jade:"I think he had already got this impression when he asked me to step in.
Best of luck to you!"
Me:"I'm only emailing this email address since it is listen on Icon Global Publishing's website.
I am asking to be free of the contract I signed and for my application to be destroyed. I am not comfortable with this company having my full name , address, SSN, and driver license number.
It is my right to request this.
Thank you,
[My name]"
Jade:"I am just forwarding your messages over to Mr Henegan and I am sure he will take it from here. For the record we do not even have you ss number (only the last four) but that is not even relevant. After working for Mr. Henegan for over 6 years I have yet to see him be nothing but fair and patent. I suggest you contact him if he does not contact you first. If you are looking for an employee to go against a person that did so much for me from day one then you made the wrong call. You may want to stop while you are ready behind in this matter. Things do not work out for a reason and this worked out in his favor. :)
And I stand by every word."
Me:"For my own safety I am requesting to have confirmation that my full name, current address, SSN, driver's license number, and other personal information has been erased from your records.
Thank you,
[My name]"
Jade:"Miss [my last name]
That was already done. It is almost laughable to think anything otherwise. :)
Jade
PS Feel free to document this reply, I know we have."
Me:"I find this response to be incredibly unprofessional. I have not said a single negative word about anyone.
It is within my right to request that my personal information, which includes my place of residence, SSN, drivers license number be erased from your system. It's unfortunate that this has seemed to offend you."
Jade:"Let me check you on your messages to me Miss [my last name] Unprofessional is thinking I didn't see through your antics thinking you are going to go around my boss. Unprofessional is your insinuation that we need your little information, did you request your last jobs to remove your information? I doubt it. I insist that you remove this email, I see right through you and trust me you chose the wrong employee. Better luck next time."
Me:"
Yes, feel free to check my messages. Again, this is a very unprofessional response, especially through a corporate account. I've been nothing but cordial with you.
Best of luck to you Jade"
Icon Global Publishing does not seem like a legitimate company.
Icon Global Publishing's website does not seem legitimate. The "authors" featured on IGP's website as well as their books and are hardly searchable. There is very little social media presence, which is very uncommon for authors who have written and published books, and are trying to get their name out there.
If you try to book an appointment for one of their services on the IGP website, a message will appear stating that services have been booked for the next six months.
Icon Global Publishing's Instagram only has 8 posts and was created in June 2023.