ACN's Policies and Procedures Mean What They Say

by Robert T. Stephan

In addition to obligations set out in the Independent Representative Agreement (IRA), ACN has set out rules of conduct in its Policies and Procedures.  The rules of conduct are intended to provide a map that sets out proper procedures for conducting business in an ethical, legal and credible manner.  Each Independent Representative is expected to read and understand the Policies and Procedures and to conduct business within the rules set out in them.

The Policies and Procedures prohibit an Independent Representative from signing the name of a customer on any document whether that document is online or a paper document.  The document must be signed by the person subscribing to the service.  The bottom line is that ACN requires that every LOA include an original customer signature and all online orders be completed by the customer.

ACN has a zero tolerance policy toward slamming.  A “slam” is defined as any practice that changes or initiates a customer’s knowledge or consent.  This can occur as the result of a forgery or the customer’s signature not being signed by the customer.  In other words, an Independent Representative cannot sign for a customer even with the consent of the customer.
Both federal and state regulatory agencies have rules that strictly prohibit slamming.  The rules provide for punishment for slamming that range from fines to the more severe revocation of the offending company’s authority to provide service.
As you can see, the act of slamming cannot only impact the business of an Independent Representative but also affect the business life of ACN and its hardworking, legitimate Independent Representatives.  For this reason, if ACN finds that an Independent Representative has been engaged in the slamming of a customer, the Independent Representative’s position will be permanently terminated and all Customer Acquisition Bonuses, commissions and payouts of any kind will be permanently forfeited.

An ACN Independent Representative may not solicit an individual or entity that has been previously sponsored by another Independent Representative or that is considering joining ACN and being sponsored by another Independent Representative.
ACN strictly prohibits ACN Independent Representatives from making any claims or guarantees related to earnings/income, whether express or implied.  An example of a statement that would fall within this prohibition is, “How would you like to make $10,000 or $25,000 a month?”

Hypothetical statements may only be used if prepared by ACN.  This prohibition is to make certain that hypothetical statements that are used for the purposes of describing the Compensation Plan are based on established facts.
Cash or monetary incentives, promotions, prizes or bonuses used to induce the activities of downline or upline organizational members, or customers as a method of influencing customer acquisition are strictly prohibited.

The areas of concern set out in this article are only a portion of rules of proper conduct with which ACN expects its representatives to comply.  An ACN Independent Representative is expected to comply with all obligations set out in the Policies and Procedures and the Independent Representative Agreement.