UK Ripoff?

**ctabuk** · #1 (**permalink**) 04-12-2005, 06:49 AM

For once I am not certain where to post this, it ain't SEO, so I leave it with the Mods to ponder on.
I received an Invoice this morning, which is dressed up like a URL renewal. If you have forgotton your host go to wwwCoolWhois.com and check it out. The Invoice goes on to say that for this fee we will also submit your site to the Major SE's. Just keep your eyes open, if anyone wants the name, PM me. Admin don't like Law Suits, me I Love em'

adbart · #2 (**permalink**) 04-12-2005, 09:43 AM

I don't understand. It's a fake letter?

**ctabuk** · #3 (**permalink**) 04-12-2005, 10:28 AM

It was a letter inviting me to renew a URL address, giving the immpression that they were the host. For £35.00 they would renew and submit my site to the top SE's.A con.

paulhiles · #4 (**permalink**) 04-12-2005, 07:19 PM

I've had a very similar letter from a company offering to promote one of my .info domains (£49 for the year).
They had attached a tear-off payment slip as though it were an actual bill. I just threw it into the bin, although it did annoy me!

Paul

gworld · #5 (**permalink**) 04-12-2005, 09:41 PM

This type of scams has been around for a long time, at least in this case they don't ask for too much.
I have some patents and trademarks and there is a company in seattle that regularly send me an offical looking letter that they have made to look like USPTO letters and ask for the fees ($350). Their name is also similar to uspto.
The first time I got it, I almost was fooled and thought my attorney has forgotten to pay the fee but after looking closely, I saw it got nothing with the fee and in fine print they are writting that you should pay, so they keep an eye on your trademark.

adbart · #6 (**permalink**) 04-13-2005, 07:05 AM

I just do a Whois Opt-out on my domains, makes it easier - no false letters etc.

adbart · #7 (**permalink**) 04-13-2005, 08:56 AM

Actually, come to think come it - I do remember getting a weird letter once about one of my .co.uk domains - from a company called "NomiNetworkz".

Undoubtedly, they were trying to spoof as Nominet, the UK domain name recordholders. It said something about typing in confirmation codes then paying for premium service or something which was recommended.

I was skint at the time so didn't even give it some thought!

angelpure · #8 (**permalink**) 04-13-2005, 09:05 AM

I received a notice from my host, whom I also use to register domain names, and there are several scams out there that are attempting to get people to renew their domain names, even when they aren't due for renewal!

It seems it started out just as a sleazy way to steal a registar customers, then the found out that they many people have no idea when their renewal is do and don't know how to check, so they pay the money.

Sometimes they get renewed, sometimes it's a scam and they have to pay all over again when it really comes due.

There's a crook a minute on the Internet, and not eveyone is as savvy with how things work as most of us are. Let's face it, what's 20 bucks, or 10 pounds any more. Pocket change, people will spend that much without even thinking about it.

adbart · #9 (**permalink**) 04-13-2005, 09:38 AM

I wouldn't say people don't think twice about spending their money any more.

I do however, think that many people are still very naïve when it comes to using the internet.

**ctabuk** · #10 (**permalink**) 04-13-2005, 09:42 AM

I don't mind a good con, you know what I mean, something like a kid hacker getting into a Bank, that's pretty cool in my books.

But what I cannot stand is SNIDE and if you don't know what that means, it means counterfeit, something pertaining to be something which it is not.

To take money by false pretence, these animals who knock on an old ladies door and say they are from the Gas Board and then nick her purse, they along with the Snides are what ruin a perfect world.
There I said it, I feel better.

collusion · #11 (**permalink**) 04-15-2005, 01:25 AM

I got that same bill/seo invite. I just laughed at it after I figured it wasn't actually a bill.

KeithO · #12 (**permalink**) 04-15-2005, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by collusion

I got that same bill/seo invite. I just laughed at it after I figured it wasn't actually a bill.

There aren't people who are as intelligent however.

pagetta · #13 (**permalink**) 04-15-2005, 12:32 PM

on a slightly different note (but still being conned out of money) our company received a letter saying that we had to have a certian licence due to new legislation and could we send them £35 asap to process the license or we'd be fined. On contacting citizens advice we found it was a con - has anyone else received anything like that?

adbart · #14 (**permalink**) 04-15-2005, 01:32 PM

Not the same thing, however I have experienced similar letters.

That is completely typical of these cons - they always threaten that something bad will happen if you don't pay up!

Evidently, it doesn't. :)