I have text messages of my asm telling me to open “sole proprietor” accounts for people who aren’t even working. When do I say something? I haven’t done it because I’m ethical but I’ve heard him telling other reps to tell people in order to get the $700 off promo customers need to add lines or “change their number”
I’m afraid that by reporting it. My complaint will only go back to the rsm who’s probably aware & just looking the other way.
Don’t end up going to Jail. Won’t get smashed for fraud, but you will for being a snitch 🐀
Was a guy back in the day famous for doubling a stores production within the first month. Always struck me as odd how no one caught onto his shenanigans.
A good Shamus can help if you get in hot water. Turn the crook in to the authorities. Good Luck, God Speed.
You will 100% get fired if u open fraud accounts and your dipshit managers cannot do anything to stop it. Also if you do enough the company can ask the authorities to intercede if u cost them enough money. Girl at my store did over 165k worth of fraud in a 6 month time. All because managers pressured her and than once these sole props got opened they kept adding to them. Anytime a manager asks u to do something unethical, ask for it in writing. That will shut them up real quick. The only thing that will s— is they will target u. But if you are not a pu–y, knowing your managers hate u can actually help u focus. U get good at doing all the sales steps and once u have them down management has real trouble getting rid of u unless u screw up royally. Good luck
@izog- 100% right. New England is the absolute worst, fraud everywhere, everyone knows, but as long as those numbers are good the fraudsters are heroes. Anyone in Retail or any sales channel knows all the little scams. New England probably has 90% doing fraud, 10% ethical. The customers end up screw3d. As for those ethics trainings, those are just to cover the company’s a$$, cuz they’ll throw anyone under the bus while saying “we train them”....okayyyy. Document everything, dates, times, the more info you have (if you ever need it) will show your credibility. Good luck pal.
Pretty clear to me the RSMs are definitely driving it. I've overheard them saying for the ASMs to do illegal and unethical things but in official coaching or conversation with reps they'll avoid any connection to it. My RSM was a notorious liar who would act like he had your back but when push came to shove he only looked out for himself.
ARSMs are aware of the shady practices going on, they put the pressure on the RSMs and ASMs to deliver. The RSMs typically instruct the ASMs to carry out the dirty deeds that way their hands are clean in the event of an investigation. Notice they typically put the shadiest/dumbest employees in the position of ASM? The fact this id–t sent a text tells me he’s a liability, bad decision making. He should have kept it verbal but his laziness probably wouldn’t let him. You know what to do, cover your own a–. Failure to fall in line with the sketchy business will lead to you being labeled as useless in managements eyes. Also, in the event of an investigation, there was a paper trail (text) proving you knew about the fraud going on and will make you complicit.
Fraud is rampant in retail. We're told daily to just sign the customer up for next up and protection without their knowledge and coached if our numbers aren't at goal because we're ethically selling. Also been told if they have an Instagram page they're a "sole proprietor".. also had an ASM give a military discount to a non military customer.
So if your boss is telling you to do this, then contact your local law enforcement agency and file a criminal compliant!! Plain and simple and also contact your Public Service commmission in your state! You will be protected!
No place to report it internally that won’t cost you your job. All internal departments exist to protect the company. If you feel a need to report it, the logical place is your state’s attorney general office
cooking the books - sounds about att speed.
Charleston Sc market probably is what the op is referring to. They encourage fraud and the mgrs sleep their way to the top!
I was "surplused" for being accused of reporting a Sales Manager that was taking kickbacks ($10s of Thousands of dollars) from a Channel Partner that was run by one of their best friends. Funny thing is; I was not the one that reported him/her. Although, I did have a conversation with the Sales Manager a year earlier to say that I did not condone what he/she was doing. After being surplused, the Team shared with me that he/she freely told them that he/she believed that I was the person responsible for contacting the Fraud Department and that is why he/she got "rid of me". Naturally, he/she denied any wrong doing to the investigators but now he/she has left AT&T and works for the Channel Partner that was paying him/her under the table. Turns out that his/her Sales Director was in on the action too. AT&T is full of fraud and immoral practices (likely, illegal too). Never worked for any other company that was so dirty. Glad to be free from such a cesspool. No company is perfect and lots of companies have bad apples but at AT&T it seemed to be the norm.
The New England market is fraud central!! They promoted everyone that was flipping directv and getting people to cancel lines and add new lines. Just look for a new job, the upper management is in on it.
Unethical sales practice is rampant. The new thing is “re-rates” and “ghost lines.” the customer is told in order to take advantage of a particular promotion, they are required to get a new line, which the rep claims will save them money. It just baffles me how these individuals are praised for their unethical actions and how managers all the way to the top just turn a blind eye to this. I shouldn’t have to feel that for me to keep my job that I have to partake in these questionable sales practices. It’s funny how we are taught through training that integrity is very important, but if you exhibit this, you are the first to be sent out the door. It’s as if you need to be shady to progress in this company and make a name for yourself. I wouldn’t be surprised if somebody files a class action lawsuit in behalf of all the customers that have been deceived in regards to this.
T is always about fraud and discrimination. When or if you report anything you will get a big smile and thank you, but in reality your days are numbered. This has happen too many others in T and you would be on a layoff list or unjustified accused of not doing your job. Just remember one thing to the company "I AM NOTHING HERE TO THE COMPANY AND BETTER NOT MAKE ANY WAVES OR I WILL LOSE MY JOB!!!!"
Don’t commit fraud. Stay out of it.
What you have been doing is a good course of action as long as you can keep it up. Just keep quiet, but do not do anything unethical yourself. They will try to drag you into the gutter with them; don't let them.
Start keeping notes and documentation now. Every day after you leave work, write your notes. They may prove valuable in the future.
BUT - Do not remove copy, or email to yourself any proprietary information. They can fire you immediately for that.
If you do decide to report the misconduct to the company's hotline, be very careful. Even if you do it anonymously, your boss may be able to figure out who did it. Then be prepared for retaliation that may cost you your job. Your life may become hell as they pressure you to quit. Do not rely on the company promise of "we do not tolerate retaliation." I assure you from personal experience, that is not true.
If the misconduct is actually illegal, do not call the company hotline; call the appropriate regulatory authority. In that case, you may have some legal protection, but still be prepared, your life could become very unpleasant.
The best thing to do is keep quiet and get out if you can. Maybe you can transfer to another job or department.
I feel for you. You are in a difficult situation, but much respect to you for doing the right thing.
Years ago, I worked with a Sales Manager that used to intentionally double enter sales and then cancel one late in the delivery process to get news sales credit for both. He coached his entire staff to do the same. He did so for years and years. He was reported by dozens of employees. He apologized to the fraud investigators for the years of oversight. LOL. He is now the VP of AT&T Business for one of our verticals. We all know that he is a phony, lying, cheating fraud but AT&T leadership loves him for his diversity. So... Go along to get along if you like your paycheck.
actually @puk+18B37Gcg the Ethics hotline is a c-ap shoot. Over the years I have reported a handful of gross breaches of policy by different employees. Only twice was anything even acted on and only once did it lead to discipline. Not a good track records but far far better than going to HR
Hey! I sent that text on your CRU device. Coming to a public chat room and disclosing that information is a flagrant violation of our COC. On Monday, you are fired. No unemployment. No severance. No excuses.
Ethics Hotline isn't HR (who even knows what or where HR is anymore, I sure don't...just some VP in Dallas named Santone that send emails about benefit cuts on Friday afternoons).
It is a 3rd party company staffing Ethics hotline. Investigation would originate from outside and then above paygrade of the accused. I am not saying it couldn't subsequently be squelched, maybe it would. But if they try to mess with you afterward, they'll face whistleblower actions and if you're smart, you'd also sue them at that point.
For @hbm below, (aka "run them out of $$ guy"; I know that's you...) I happen to agree with most of what you usually say. That said, I have been here 20 plus years. I have seen bad managers investigated...some fired, or even arrested over that period of time based on complaints originating from Ethics hotline. You can also read the "Integrity Bulletin" that they release a couple times a year on Insider that details investigations of similar situations and subsequent terminations of bad managers. So while it may not be perfect, to state absolutely that the process never works is not accurate.
RSMs are always aware, this little scam is nothing new. This is how stores hit their small biz numbers and how RSCs get promoted to ASM. Make an anonymous call to ethics . Save and document everything. Protect yourself.
To the person who gave you the ethics hotline. Are you new?
Do you think for a nanosecond they care?
All you'll do is put a target on your back, and you'll be discipline stepped out the door in short order.
Let me repeat....they will investigate themselves and find they did nothing wrong.
But you did.
Be smart. Save the info.
Send the emails to your personal email.
Profit.
There is an Ethics Hotline where you can report this, anonymously if you'd prefer. (877) 871-2622
People will chime in and say this is a waste of time, etc...those are people that are too lazy to do so and have never bothered, they'd rather complain and do nothing.
This is a clear violation of COBC and you are required (and should) report it, and those folks instructing you to do this need to be held accountable.
I mean if you don’t want to act now, you can always put evidence of that in your back pocket for a rainy day.