The I-Team has learned that authorities in at least three states, including Illinois, are now investigating a company that charged thousands of dollars to help inventors get their ideas registered and marketed. Our investigation starts in the vast mosaic of TV advertising, with Chicagoans who were struck by a single commercial for a company called Universal Consulting Service. And then they take their money and the reality is that hardly any of these invention ideas are ever actually marketed. They left one number on the letter they had sent me stating they were closing their doors, but I wasn't able to reach anybody at that number. The firm's offices in Oak Brook and two dozen other U.S. cities are now closed.
Landlords say the company ran out on long-term leases.
The furniture's all there, and the plants are all dead. The case was settled without Universal admitting any wrongdoing, but promising to repay Missouri customers. It's the type of operation that moves around. I had investors and family and friends that also put in with me. Now it's hard to go back to your brother, sister, friend and say, 'you know, I think we got shafted here'.