Lexington, NC - It all started with a few pennies and a promise. It was a promise to turn those pennies into a dollar, and that dollar into even more money. But, now the SEC and the Secret Service say the evidence and complaints are stacking up. Both agencies have called Zeek Rewards a pyramid and Ponzi scheme.
The investigation points the blame on Paul Burks, a Lexington man who created the company.
News 2 reached out to Burks again on Tuesday. Burks has a private security guard in front of his house. The guard said Burks did not wish to comment. Then, WFMY News 2 Reporter Mark Geary called Burks' cell phone. Burks did not answer.
However, in June 2012, Burks was happy to speak on camera. News 2 even reported about the businesses' success.
In June 2012, Burks told News 2, "We don't take investments or any of that kind of stuff. We try to stress that clearly. We sell bids, that's all we do. That's all we have for sale.... It doesn't cost you a penny to join as an affiliate. You can actually begin earning money without spending any money."
Now, as many as two million people are wondering what will happen to their money. The NC Attorney General has received more than 6,000 calls and 20,500 emails. The Attorney General is referring people to the court-appointed receiver.
On Tuesday, News 2 watched people who said they worked for the receiver carrying boxes into Zeek's Lexington headquarters.
You can email your concerns and track what the receiver does at www.zeekrewardsreceivership.com. This is the best source of up-to-date information about the case.
Hundreds of people have also complained to the Better Business Bureau. The BBB told News 2 Paul Burks emailed the agency and asked for his name to be removed the Zeek Rewards company listing.
WFMY News 2