A business opportunity offered by Crowd Sourcing International (CSI) in Dallas, but doing business nationwide, claims that participants can earn money by collecting information about car license plate numbers and the cars’ locations. But the plan may be a pyramid scheme, warns Better Business Bureau. There does not appear to be a substantial source of income for participants (“independent consultants”) other than the money paid in by other participants.

In a pyramid scheme, participants make most of their earnings by recruiting others rather than from sales of a product. The Texas Attorney General’s Web site warns, “People who get in on a pyramid scheme early might make money in the beginning, but the schemes inevitably collapse, victimizing the recruits at the base of the pyramid.”

BBB first asked Crowd Sourcing International about the business opportunity in January, 2010, and the business provided some information. In May, 2010, CSI provided the name of one client. The information did not resolve the BBB’s concerns as to whether the company is selling a bona fide product with a true market value. In fact, the client’s identity only raised more concerns, which BBB communicated to the company.

“Although Crowd Sourcing International claims that the information collected is purchased by clients such as auto loan companies, CSI has provided the name of only one client,” said Jeannette Kopko, spokesperson for BBB serving Dallas and Northeast Texas. “BBB questions whether that client, which has links to CSI, is independently paying CSI for car sightings.”

Crowd Sourcing International, 1111 Empire Central Place, Suite 200, Dallas, was formerly known as Narc Technologies and has also done business as “Narc That Car.” Through a multi-level marketing plan, independent consultants are recruited to pay a $100 sign-up fee and a monthly $5 processing fee for commission payments, and offered a Web site for $24.95. Participants can earn up to about $20 a month for up to 10 license plate sightings , and can earn a part of the payments for license plate (more…)