by Structured Settlement Watchdog®
A Diabolical Campaign by Sovereign Funding Group is taking the structured settlement industry hostage on the Internet
Check out the a Google search for Pacific Life Structured Settlements and MetLife Structured Settlements for example
Download Pacific life structured settlements – Google Search
Download Pacific life structured settlements p2 – Google Search
Download Metlife structured settlements – Google Search 50% of 1st page listings affected!
A significant number of first page search results highlight a devious use of the terms “pacific life structured settlements” and “metlife structured settlements” (and many others) in their page titles , descriptions and URLs but link to a factoring website that solicits the user to sell their structured settlement payments. I’ve previously written about the apparent connection of that site to Sovereign Funding Group. The toll-free number listed on the site leads to a voice mail using David Springer’s voice. David Springer is the Principal of Sovereign Funding Group.
Here is the trademark information for “Pacific Life” and “MetLife” from the United States Patent and Trademark office.
Download Pacific Life Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS)
Download MetLife Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS)
Surely it cannot be ethical for Sovereign Funding Group to create (or have someone create for them) a “fly trap” to dominate search results in the manner shown in the Google search results above, so that when someone clicks (in the example) on “Your info for Pacific Life Insurance Company in Texas” or “More Info on Pacific Life Structured Settlements” it leads to a factoring website connected to Sovereign Funding Group. I have spoken to Mr. Springer about this recently and yet the problems persist. What’s up David?
This phenomenon is like a super virus spreading throughout the primary and secondary structured settlement market. A Google search for a Sovereign Funding competitor show that a whopping 80% of the first page Google search results point to the webuypayments,net website with a toll free number leading to David Springer’s recorded message on voice mail.
It also appears that some of the listings will show 404 errors after multiple clicks, leading you to believe that these are inactive websites.
Whether you are a structured settlement broker, life insurer or a factoring company, be vigilant for use of your name and trademarks in the manner shown.
Our Previous Post that Uncovered the Scheme
Who Owns WeBuyPayments.net? July 25, 2011
Postscript
In November 2011, David Springer from Mount Airy, Maryland, faced lawsuits from several competitors in the structured settlement cash-now industry. In April 2015, after reviewing evidence and testimony presented during the August 2014 trial in Baltimore, U.S. Federal Judge Marvin Garbis found Springer liable to Woodbridge Structured Funding and linked David Springer to the webuypayments scheme.
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