Tom Wheelwright’s WealthAbility is a full-on SCAM with shoddy ‘business practices’ that needs to be investigated for consumer fraud!

Curt, there are old scams attached to non-refundable EM deposits, they are not down payments, but consideration for the contract.

How do I protect myself against a scam?

I've noticed even when I explain it to friends, they look at me like I'm trying to scam the elderly or something.

It wasn't CraigsList, but it was a scam.  

What is a shame is that there are probably some good seminars/bootcamps with valuable info but because of these scam artists a lot of them are going to be overlooked.

@JT Spangler Good info, my attorney said that those license companies are a scam and ESA animals don't need to be registered by law.I am awaiting the letter from her, I told the owner to contact a lawyer and see how he wants to approach the situation but more then likely it is what it is.It makes me sick that there are all these websites that say "Landlord won't allow pets?

I think it's a scam. 

Liquidate and pay uncle SCAM a huge amount?

It doesn't work for all, and all should be aware of the risks associated with this, but it isn't a scam in any way.