TEFL Online Pro Review: PARt 2

Written By Megan Broccoli
Problems with TEFL Online Pro certification

Avoid this logo.

In my original post, I detailed how TEFL Online Pro sold me an unrecognized TEFL certificate and the difficulties I faced. Unfortunately, instead of addressing the issue professionally, TEFL Online Pro’s response since then has been swift and hostile. The company, specifically a representative named Paul Murphy, launched multiple retaliatory attacks against me. They published defamatory blog posts accusing me of fraud and conspiring with competitorsteflonlinepro.comteflonlinepro.com. I also became the target of an online harassment campaign, including anonymous threats sent through my own website. In response to these escalating harassment tactics, I filed a formal complaint with the Italian Data Protection Authority (Garante per la Protezione dei Dati Personali) for the company’s misuse of my personal information. This follow-up post will set the record straight on TEFL Online Pro’s false claims (for example, the accusation that I “just wanted a free course”) and serve as a public warning to others in the TEFL community. The evidence speaks for itself: TEFL Online Pro’s behavior has only reinforced the conclusion that this is a scam operation.

Defamatory Blog Posts by TEFL Online Pro (Paul Murphy)

Shortly after my review went live, TEFL Online Pro retaliated on their official blog. Paul Murphy, who appears to run their site, published multiple articles aimed at discrediting me. In these posts, they falsely claim I am an “aggressive affiliate marketer” working for a rival TEFL company (specifically, The TEFL Academy) and that my negative review was part of a smear campaign. They even stated that they are pursuing civil and criminal lawsuits against me and others they’ve deemed as conspirators.

Perhaps the most outrageous claim is that I supposedly “committed chargeback fraud” by requesting a PayPal refund, and then “went on an online defamation attack” against them. In their narrative, I am not a genuine student but a plant paid by competitors to sabotage their business. They posted my full name (and even photos of me alongside another reviewer) on their site, accusing me of being part of an elaborate fraud. These baseless conspiracy theories are completely false – I have no affiliation with any other TEFL company. I’m simply a customer who spoke up about being scammed, but TEFL Online Pro chose to paint me as a villain rather than take responsibility.

It’s worth noting that TEFL Online Pro’s blog posts, originally dated 2019, were updated in late 2024 to include these attacks, presumably in response to my case. The tone of the posts is highly unprofessional: they lump me in with supposed long-term “enemies” of the company, rant about “fake TEFL reviews,” and blame “corrupt Reddit moderators” for allowing my story to gain traction. Instead of addressing the facts (such as why legitimate schools do not accept their TEFL certificate), they doubled down on deflection and defamation.

Harassment and Threats Via Anonymous Messages

Screenshot of cease-and-desist message from TEFL Online Pro

Screenshot: A “Cease and Desist” message sent via my blog’s contact form by Paul Murphy (TEFL Online Pro). The company demanded that I cancel my PayPal refund request, delete my reviews, and never mention them again.

Defamation on their website was only one front of TEFL Online Pro’s retaliation. I also received a barrage of harassing messages through my blog’s Squarespace contact forms. These messages ranged from aggressive “cease and desist” demands to vile personal attacks, and they demonstrate how far TEFL Online Pro was willing to go to silence me.

The first message came directly from Paul Murphy, using an official email address (info@teflonlinepro.com). In a so-called “Cease and Desist” notice, he gave me an ultimatum: by 5 PM that very day, I must cancel the PayPal chargeback dispute I had opened, delete all content I’d published about TEFL Online Pro (my blog post, Reddit thread, etc.), and promise to never post about them again. The tone was urgent and threatening – clearly an attempt to scare me into compliance. This demand was completely unreasonable; I had every right to seek a refund for a service that turned out to be subpar, and certainly every right to share my honest experience. I did not comply with this bullying tactic. Instead, I stood by the truth and continued to pursue my refund through proper channels.

Not long after the cease-and-desist, I received an even more disturbing anonymous message through my site. The sender (using a fake email) accused me of child abuse and claimed to have filed a police report against me (they didn’t, we are friendly with the head of police for Guidonia). This message shockingly dragged my family into the conflict: “You are with your young son in Italy and you are acting irresponsibly… we have brought up the possibility of child abuse.” It appears that this was intended to affect me on a personal level. The message also stated, “We see now that you are without money and you were hoping to have a free TEFL course from us,” blatantly repeating TEFL Online Pro’s false claim that my motive was to get a free course. To bolster their intimidation, the sender even linked a completely unrelated public court record mentioning my name (about an old case with a bank) – an apparent attempt to humiliate me by implying I have financial or legal troubles. This level of personal attack is beyond unacceptable for any legitimate business. It demonstrates a campaign of harassment and slander designed to pressure me into silence.

Screenshot: An anonymous threat submitted via my blog’s contact form accusing me of child abuse and “hoping to have a free TEFL course.” The sender references a “formal police complaint” and even links an unrelated court case to try to smear me.

I also want to highlight that these messages were not random trolls; the content and timing strongly suggest they were sent by TEFL Online Pro or someone associated with them. The fact that the official company email and Paul Murphy’s name were used in some communications is a clear giveaway. Even the anonymous ones echoed the same talking points the company used on its blog (for example, the “free TEFL course” accusation and references to a police complaint). This was a coordinated effort to bully me.

Intimidation Through False Legal Threats

TEFL Online Pro did not stop at online harassment – they attempted to intimidate me by invoking law enforcement. Paul Murphy actually boasted about contacting the Italian police in an effort to label my honest review as “defamation.”

In a comment Paul Murphy left on one of my blog pages, he stated: “TEFL Online Pro has contacted the police station, close to where Megan Broccoli lives, reporting her for online defamation and disinformation. Now we can see that you are vested in Italy, we will proceed with the legal route. This was clearly intended to intimidate me by suggesting that I could face criminal charges in Italy for speaking out. Indeed, I later learned that Paul (or someone on his behalf) did attempt to file a police report (LOL). The Italian State Police’s response to them (which was forwarded to me) was essentially that any such complaint would need to be made in person at a local station – in other words, there was no immediate action because a negative review is not a crime.

The threat to “proceed the legal route” because I’m “vested in Italy” (i.e., residing here) shows TEFL Online Pro’s intent to intimidate me with my local laws. My blog post and comments are well within my rights, as they are truthful and framed as consumer opinions. It’s a hollow threat – a tactic to intimidate me into removing my review. Nevertheless, the stress caused by this whole situation was very real. No individual consumer should have to face such retaliatory tactics for simply reporting a scam.

This incident also underscores TEFL Online Pro’s hypocrisy: on one hand, they publicly accuse me of “online defamation” for posting my honest experience, yet on the other hand, they have no qualms about smearing me across their website and even falsely accusing me of crimes like fraud and child abuse. If anything, their behavior is defamatory. Engaging law enforcement in a civil consumer dispute is an abuse of resources and is meant to harass. It’s an intimidation strategy, plain and simple.


Data Privacy Violations and Formal Complaint to the Authorities

Perhaps the most alarming aspect of TEFL Online Pro’s retaliation was their threat to misuse my data. In private emails and messages, the company explicitly threatened to share my personal information with third parties in the TEFL industry as a form of punishment. For instance, during our dispute, TEFL Online Pro wrote that they would circulate my name to schools and “networks” worldwide to blacklist me as a problematic student. This is not only unethical, but it’s also likely illegal under data protection laws. I want to remind readers that I was a paying customer; TEFL Online Pro had my details because I entrusted them as part of the course purchase process. To then threaten to broadcast that information out of spite is a gross violation of trust and a breach of privacy.

Because of these threats, on November 14, 2024, I filed a formal complaint with the Garante Privacy (Italy’s Data Protection Authority). In my complaint, I outlined how TEFL Online Pro violated the EU’s GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) in several ways. First, they made explicit threats to disclose my data without consent – for example, warning they would send my information to educational institutions and recruiters as retaliationfile-j7cz356umrkkt1d9gx3x2c. Not only did I never consent to such use of my data, but it’s also completely unjustified – they intended it purely to harm my reputation. Second, they failed to obtain any consent for using my data in their public postings. They plastered my full name (and even details like my country of residence) on their blog as part of their defamatory narrative. This is personal data being used for malicious purposes. Third, I highlighted the pattern of intimidation and harassment: the company’s messages and public posts weren’t just angry responses, they included direct personal attacks and false accusations (like “chargeback fraud”) tied to my identity. By associating my name with slanderous claims in public forums, TEFL Online Pro further misused my personal information, compounding the privacy violation.

In the complaint, I provided evidence to support each point, including copies of emails and form submissions that showed threats to share data, screenshots of their blog posts and comments where my details were misused, and documentation of the PayPal dispute to demonstrate that I acted legitimately. I also included a link to my original blog post as a reference. My goal in involving the Garante is to hold TEFL Online Pro accountable for these data privacy violations and to prevent them from carrying out their threats against me or any other student. Under the GDPR, companies cannot retaliate against consumers by misusing their data – such behavior can result in severe penalties.

Screenshot: My complaint to the FTC against TEFL Online Pro, which included every thread of communication from TEFL Online Pro.

As of this update, the Garante has let me know that I have received my complaint. Such investigations take time, but it was essential to involve the authorities given the severity of the threats. Even if TEFL Online Pro’s attempts to slander me to schools never materialized, the fact that they threatened it is enough to constitute a violation. It demonstrates a willful disregard for privacy laws and fundamental ethical principles. I will continue to cooperate with the investigation and hope that it results in consequences that discourage TEFL Online Pro (and similar TEFL course providers) from ever doing this to someone else. Misusing customer data as retaliation is abhorrent – no aspiring teacher should have to worry that a TEFL course company will spread their details or false allegations in revenge for a complaint.

I have also filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States on 22 May, 2025.

I sent a note to Eslbase.com to let them know of my experience and they also listed them on a scam on their website as of 23 May 2025.


Rebuttal of TEFL Online Pro’s False Claims (“Free Course” Accusation)

One of TEFL Online Pro’s favorite refrains in attacking me is the claim that I was trying to “get a free course.” This is the basis on which they accuse me of fraud: they allege that I took their online TEFL course, earned the certificate, and then maliciously filed a false chargeback to avoid paying, all under the pretense of a bad review. Let me set the record straight with facts:

  • I paid for the course in full: $147.50 for the 120-hour TEFL course and $57.00 for the physical certificate shipping and handling. I have receipts for these payments. So, my total investment was around $204.50. This was not some free promotional course or a trial—I was a paying customer.

  • Schools did not accept the TEFL certificate, so I requested a refund. Within a short time of completing the course and receiving my certificate, I discovered that legitimate employers did not recognize the credential I got from TEFL Online Pro. For example, when I applied for teaching positions, I was informed that TEFL Online Pro’s certificate was not on the accepted list of certifications at multiple schools. I was told I would need to retrain with a properly accredited program. This was devastating news: it meant the time and money I spent on their course were essentially wasted. I had been led to believe their certificate was internationally recognized (as they advertise), but that was false. This is the core issue – I paid for a service that did not deliver what was promised. Therefore, requesting a refund was entirely justified and within my rights as a consumer.

  • I attempted to resolve the issue through proper channels. Initially, I reached out to TEFL Online Pro privately to explain the situation, that I couldn’t use their certificate and wanted my money back. Instead of offering help or even a partial refund, they became defensive and hostile (this was before any public posts were made). With no cooperation from the company, I filed a formal dispute through PayPal, citing “product not as described” (since the course was sold as an accredited, accepted certification, which it was not).

  • I did not plan a “bait and switch” from the outset. TEFL Online Pro argues that I posted my complaints too quickly, insinuating it was premeditated. They claim it would be “impossible” for me to complete the course, apply to a school, and receive a response about the certificate’s status within hours. The reality is simpler: I had been in contact with a couple of schools while finishing the course, and as soon as I received the digital certificate, I forwarded it to those schools to confirm its validity. One institution replied quickly (within a day), stating they could not accept it. I also conducted some online research, which raised red flags, including finding others on Reddit warning about “TEFL Online Pro scam” issues. So yes, I moved fast – because the evidence of the scam surfaced fast. When a supposed TEFL accreditation is bogus, the word doesn’t take long to get around. My swift action signifies diligence and justified concern, not deceit. I refuse to be chastised for reacting promptly to discovering I’d been misled.

  • I am not an “affiliate” of any other TEFL company. I have zero financial or personal ties to The TEFL Academy or ESLinsider (two entities TEFL Online Pro keeps mentioning in connection with me). Before this ordeal, I hadn’t even heard of some of these organizations. My only “affiliation” is that I’m a member of the online TEFL community (e.g., I participate in forums like Reddit’s r/TEFL). It’s true that after my negative experience, I shared warnings online, as any responsible person might, to help others avoid the same trap. But I was not paid or prompted by anyone to do so. Speaking out has cost me time, stress, and even concern for my safety – hardly the profile of someone running a paid smear campaign. TEFL Online Pro was the only party that benefited financially here, and it initially had my money. My motive in seeking a refund was to recover the money after discovering the course’s lack of value, nothing more.

In summary, the “free TEFL course fraud” accusation is entirely unfounded. I acted as a dissatisfied customer seeking redress, which is a normal and legal thing to do. TEFL Online Pro labeling this fraud is a transparent attempt to victim-blame and distract from their shortcomings. If their product had been as advertised, I would not have needed a refund at all. It’s also worth noting: if my goal was to obtain a free certificate, would I draw public attention to the situation through a blog and Reddit, essentially drawing a spotlight on myself? That makes no sense. My actions are entirely consistent with someone who feels wronged and wants to prevent others from being similarly deceived. The documentation backs me up – from payment records to correspondence with schools and PayPal – and I’m happy to let any neutral party review it. TEFL Online Pro’s smear tactics, on the other hand, rely on unfounded allegations and conspiratorial thinking.

Community Support and Ongoing Warnings

One silver lining in this ordeal has been the support from the broader TEFL community, especially on Reddit. After I shared my story in the r/TEFL subreddit (“My Bad Experience with TEFL Online Pro – Threats and Unrecognized Certificates”), dozens of fellow teachers and aspiring teachers reached out with encouragement and similar concerns. Many had never heard of TEFL Online Pro before and were shocked at the harassment I endured. Others, unfortunately, had heard of them – and not in a good way. It turns out that TEFL Online Pro already had a dubious reputation among veteran TEFL educators, and my case only reaffirmed what some suspected: that TEFL Online Pro is a scam and not a reputable TEFL provider.

The moderators of r/TEFL took my claims seriously. They had already added TEFL Online Pro to the subreddit’s official “TEFL Blacklist” of disreputable course providers. My experience is cited there as a warning to others. When a community-driven forum, with no stake in any TEFL company, flags a program as problematic, it strongly indicates something is amiss. To quote one Reddit commenter: “TEFL Online Pro has contacted the police station… Now we can see their harassment for what it is”. The community saw through the company’s attacks on me – if anything, TEFL Online Pro’s over-the-top reaction validated my original warnings more than discredited them.

I also learned through Reddit and other channels that my experience is not isolated. A few other former students privately messaged me to share similar (if less extreme) issues with TEFL Online Pro – from unrecognized certificates to difficulty getting support or refunds. Some mentioned that when they posted low-star reviews on public platforms, they were met with unusually aggressive rebuttals from the company. This pattern of silencing criticism with hostility or fake rebuttals (sometimes under alias accounts) is something several fake TEFL review operations have been known to do, and TEFL Online Pro fits that mold. It appears they spend a lot of energy curating positive testimonials and awards on their site, but lash out at any negative feedback.

I want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to the Reddit TEFL community and others who stood by me. Your supportive comments, advice, and acknowledging that what I’m facing is not okay have meant so much. We, as teachers and consumers, must have each other’s backs because predatory companies thrive on silence. Sharing experiences openly (even the ugly ones) makes it harder for scams to continue unchecked. The TEFL world is a small one, and word of mouth matters – in this case, word spread that TEFL Online Pro harassed a student, and that message will hopefully protect future teachers from going through the same nightmare.

Conclusion – A Public Warning and Call to Action

What started as a personal dispute over a fraudulent TEFL certificate has evolved into something larger: a spotlight on harassment and unethical conduct in the TEFL industry. I never imagined that by simply requesting a refund for a subpar product, I would be accused of conspiracies, threatened with criminal charges, and have my personal life attacked. I hope to achieve two things by publicly documenting all of this:

  • First, to clear my name and let the truth be known, I stand by everything I’ve said and provide evidence throughout this post (and to authorities) to support it.

  • Second, to warn others about teaching abroad, do your research when choosing a TEFL course. Look beyond the polished marketing on a provider’s website. Check independent reviews, ask questions in forums like r/TEFL, and be wary of programs that seem too good or obscure. A legitimate TEFL course will not engage in smear campaigns or threaten students – if you see signs of a company doing that, steer clear.

For those who have had similar experiences with TEFL Online Pro or any other TEFL provider, I urge you to speak up and ask for help. Document everything: save emails, take screenshots of messages, and keep records of payments. If you feel safe to do so, share your story on public platforms to warn others. If the harassment crosses into illegal territory (e.g., privacy violations, credible threats), report it to the relevant authorities. Data privacy regulators (like Italy’s Garante or your country’s DPA) will take such complaints seriously in the European Union. Platforms like PayPal also have processes to investigate fraud or seller misconduct – use them. And remember that you are not alone; communities of educators online are incredibly supportive and can offer guidance and moral support.

TEFL Online Pro tried to silence me through fear and slander, but they have only strengthened my resolve to fight back with the truth. I'll keep updating on any significant developments (such as the outcome of my formal complaint or any legal actions). In the meantime, I would suggest you consider this post a public caution: How a company responds to criticism is very telling. TEFL Online Pro’s response has been to attack and intimidate, which no legitimate, quality TEFL program would ever need to do. As teachers, we are often told to model good behavior – clearly, TEFL Online Pro has set a terrible example for professionalism in education.

If you or someone you know has been scammed or harassed by TEFL Online Pro (or any TEFL course provider), I encourage you to share your experience and report the incident to the proper authorities or consumer protection agencies. We can only clean up the TEFL industry by collectively shining a light on these bad actors. Aspiring teachers deserve legitimate, respected TEFL certification programs – not scams, not fake reviews, and certainly not harassment. Let’s hold these companies accountable and support each other in pursuing our teaching abroad dreams safely and ethically. Your voice matters – don’t let anyone bully you into silence.

 
Megan Broccoli
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