Please warn everyone not to register for any Run or Dye events, they have already hidden all of their money so it looks like they don't have money and will be out of business soon. (They are very profitable but are creatively hiding all profits so that they can get away with not paying anyone back once they declare bankruptcy)
Owners of Run or Dye Jake Ackerman and Mark Ackerman of Utah are con artist and owe a LOT of money to a LOT of people, businesses, charities and cities.
https://www.facebook.com/jakeack
https://www.facebook.com/markybp?fref=ts
They know they aren't going to be able to run most of their events this year (2014) but they are trying to get people to continue to sign up for their NON-REFUNDABLE race.
If you were told you can't get refunded, contact your credit card company and report fraudulent activity to get your money back.
http://www.wjbf.com/story/26331585/local-runners-feeling-scammed-by-5k-event-cancellation
http://www.mynews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2014/8/19/questions_surround_r.html
They have an F rating on the Better Business Bureau
http://www.bbb.org/utah/business-reviews/event-planners/run-or-dye-in-salt-lake-city-ut-22358107
Jake Ackerman Con Artist
Amanda Le Ackerman
https://www.facebook.com/amanda.l.ackerman?fref=ts
http://www.peoplefinders.com/d/jake+ackerman/1-289109303
Before creating his new scam, Jake Ackerman ran a real estate Scam:
http://scambuster911.blogspot.com/2007/09/jake-ackerman.html
http://www.domainsherpa.com/jake-ackerman-zipsmart-interview/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYndxfd9KHE
Looks like Jake also owned ZipSmart.com (no longer in business surprise surprise)
Read an employees opinion of ZipSmart HERE.
Jake Ackerman is also the CEO of Viral Events, so stay away from anything that company is involved with:
The chief technology officer at Viral Events (Steven Lloyd) most likely has knowledge of the scam:
Avoid doing any events like the following scams:
http://www.colorfestival.com/
http://www.rainbowrun.com/
The way to combat this problem is to file a joint lawsuit against Jake Ackerman and Mark Ackerman and their wives (we expect they use their names to hide money). They belong in Prison for Fraud and Theft. They should be on the T.V. show American Greed and with your help they will be caught and punished for their crimes.
Remember that going after "run or dye" won't do much except get back your money that you paid for the race. For them to be brought to Justice a lawsuit has to happen against them personally.
They have cancelled other runs as well:
More News Stories about the Cancelled Run or Dye Events:
Get involved: Here is a facebook page created about the run or dye scam
https://www.facebook.com/groups/287061178145868/
Other people that could be involved (most likely they just work at viral events or run or dye and aren't aware of the massive scam) include:
Ethan Aylett
Derek Ostler
Jared M Rowley
Chris Ackerman
Lanny Langston
Katie Langston -She told CBC News for people to Email her privately to get a refund.
Casie Ann Woolston (inventory controller at run or dye)
Run or Dye updated their refund policy from saying "We may offer Refund if the new date means you will be unable to attend the make-up event" to not mentioning that you can get a refund:
Events that have been cancelled or “Postponed”
- Atlanta, GA
- Augusta, GA
- Daytona, FL
- Boise, ID
- Central Illinois
- Eugene, OR
- Boston, MA
- Thunder Bay, Canada
- Raleigh, NC
- Santa Rose, CA
- Champaign, IL
- Rantoul, IL
- Tallahassee, FL
They are keeping registration open on their site in hopes of getting more money from people so warn others not to join.
Here is a screenshot of the old Page allowing for a refund:
To get a refund go through Katie Langston as mentioned above.
Other refund options: File a BBB complaint and report fraudulent activity to your credit card/bank.
They have owed people in Canada money for over a year like Ryan James.
this is so horrible... how can someone do this legally?
ReplyDeleteI just looked and these guys did a run called Bad Prom 5k too. Big surprise it was also cancelled and people were promised them but never given refunds!!!
Look at this http://www.badprom.com/feedback
Is there an email I can reach you at? I am trying to contact the person who wrote this and cannot find an email.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, just put your question/info here in the comments section.
ReplyDeleteI would like to talk with you privately about some of the information you have here. How can i reach you?
ReplyDeleteThis is the first Anonymous, can you please email me at ninjawarrior191@gmail.com, I have a few tings I do not want to share on a comment.
ReplyDeleteNice email. Just created for this post..... You're so smooooooth
DeleteYes I did create it for this post because I do not like having my email out there for people to spam. I guess if it is that big of a pain for me to contact you I will not, just had a few questions.
DeleteOkay, post your comments here in the comments section then.
DeleteOh okay Anonymous number 1.. I mean Ackerman... let me get right on that.
ReplyDeleteI just want to let the people who have been scammed out of their money know that if you create a complaint with the Better Business Bureau you will get your money back.
ReplyDeleteIf it was a scam, why are they still refunding people when people complain at the BBB? Most scams I know don't even pay attention to the BBB... they just take peoples money. I was angry but I DID finally get a refund from this company. Maybe they are bad business managers, but not a scam?
DeleteIt's a scam and if someone didn't tell those affected that the last resort to getting their money back was the BBB, they would be scammed out of their money like so many. Glad the BBB helped you. Run or Dye/Viral Events are now ignoring BBB complaints. Not a scam? I just heard from a credible resource they're "closing their doors" soon. You obviously have no idea how many charities, vendors and people who had their races cancelled they owe money to. This is not the first time the owner has done this. He'll close his doors and open a new business with the money he stole.
DeleteNot 100 percent on getting your money back.
DeleteJake Ackerman cell number 801-674-3081 call him and give him a piece of your mind.
ReplyDeleteIs this still a good working cell phone number to Mr. Jake Ackerman ?
DeleteDEAD WOODS Haunted Forest in Luther, Oklahoma hosted their Run or Dye event on July 26, 2014. Sorry to say they owe us a lot of money and we have not heard from them or receive one penny from Run or Dye or Viral events, so sad, they had a good thing going.
ReplyDeleteThe bad thing about Run or Dye / Viral events is they will file bankruptcy and start all over under a new name, again so sad !
ReplyDeleteI spent a lot of time and money getting my wide, well maintain 5k course that is all in the woods all ready for their Run or Dye event.
At least every Run or Dye runner loved my 5k course which makes me happy but no money in the wallet.
Here's a news article on Run or Dye owing money from a past event in Ventura.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.vcreporter.com/cms/story/detail/who_s_on_first/12381/
The date they have for their return to Ventura is listed at a location that is NOT holding the event yet Run or Dye is still taking registrations and money.
He owes myself as well as a few of my good friends quite a lot of money for a few races I did for tge company
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ripoffreport.com/r/Run-or-Dye/nationwide/Run-or-Dye-Viral-Events-Color-Festival-Rainbow-Run-Bad-Prom-Run-Run-or-Dye-scam-scam-1185762
ReplyDeleteIn case you thought they hadn't gone low enough...
ReplyDeletehttp://kivitv.video.jrn.com/
Ackerman is a child molester. Raped his brothers and sisters when he was young. Somebody should FOIA his records. Fuck you Jake. People still remember you asshole.
ReplyDeleteI would like to know if Color in Motion and Run or Dye is own by the same owners / company ?
ReplyDelete