Simple Commissions Raises Red Flags in the MLM World
Simple Commissions, a new venture linked to controversial figure Jeff Long, lacks transparency about its ownership and executive team. This absence of basic information is alarming for potential participants and raises questions about the legitimacy of the business model.
Background on the Company
The website for Simple Commissions, located at simplecommissions.com, was registered in 2017, with the latest update noted in March 2026. Interestingly, references in the site's source code point to Jeffrey Long as a key figure. Long's connection to this new scheme is concerning, considering his history with multiple failed ventures in the MLM space.
Jeff Long's Controversial History
Jeff Long first came into the spotlight as the founder of AutoXTen in 2011, which quickly collapsed. His subsequent ventures, including SMS Dailies and Get Paid Social, followed a similar trajectory, failing soon after their launches.
Long has repeatedly returned to the industry under various guises. For example, he introduced 1 Online Business in 2017, which combined cycler Ponzi elements with social media spam, only to see it fade away within a year. His launch of Luvv in 2018 and NewU Financial in 2019 also ended in rapid failure, suggesting a pattern of unsustainable practices.
The latest iteration of his work, Internet Income System, emerged in 2024, marking his continued attempts in the gifting pyramid domain. Each of these ventures raises concerns about his commitment to ethical business practices.
What Simple Commissions Offers
Currently, Simple Commissions does not offer any retail products or services. The focus is solely on recruiting new promoters. Membership to Simple Commissions costs $300, which goes towards recruitment commissions of $200, distributed down two levels.
- Promoter membership cost: $300
- Recruitment commissions: $200, paid in a unilevel structure ($100 per level)
Why This Matters
The lack of retail offerings and reliance on recruitment commissions signal that Simple Commissions operates as a pyramid scheme. These schemes are illegal under FTC regulations in the U.S. and pose significant financial risks to participants. It's critical for both potential distributors and consumers to understand the implications of joining such programs.
When recruitment stalls, which is inevitable, the commissions will dry up, leaving most participants at a loss.
The Reality of Pyramid Schemes
The mathematical model of pyramid schemes guarantees that a majority of participants will lose money. Based on Long's previous ventures, the lifespan of Simple Commissions before it collapses could range from weeks to months. However, participants should be aware that their chances of recouping their investments are slim.
What to Watch For Next
As the MLM community observes Simple Commissions, the focus should be on how quickly it attracts new participants and whether it maintains transparency about its operations. Industry insiders will be keen to see if regulators step in and whether Long's past will repeat itself with this latest venture.