Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Misleading forms alert: The UK Internet Register
The UK Internet Register is new, however it is simply a variation on a form that has been used in many countries, the layout of the form ensures that the cost is hard to spot. Like so many other forms, companies have noticed that their details are inaccurate, drawing them away from the small print and into the process of correcting their data.
What is on offer is an inter-professional directory that appears to be published online only and where signing will cost you £639 Per Annum for a minimum of 3 years, interestingly you are already fully listed if get sent the form, all you gain by signing is 3 keywords in their search engine. I checked their website on Alexia and the traffic is currently so low that it cannot be evaluated. Looks like those 3 keywords might not be a very good buy at £213 each!
The form arrives by fax with a freephone faxback number of 080 82 38 02 31. I checked this number on on ICSTIS. They note that they do not regulate freephone numbers, but they do tell you that this number is provided by MCI WorldCom Ltd.
If you receive a form and consider it misleading you may wish to contact MCI WorldCom Ltd. and voice your concerns about the usage of this freephone number
MCI Wordlcom Ltd, Barnards Inn 86 Fetter Lane, London, EC4A 1EN
Ph 0207 6754496
So is The UK Internet Register really new? Well a closer examination reveals it is actually sent by a company well known to stopECG
DAD Deutscher Adressdienst GmbH
This company has indulged for years in the mailing of misleading contracts, like so many other guides StopECG features, DAD will claim that the forms they send are clear, yet like the other guides DAD fail to amend the forms and fully remove the ambiguities their 'customers' complain of. Swiss newspaper Tagesanzeiger exposed links between DAD and other Ludenbach guides, it appears likely that they are part of his empire. You will notice that director Inga Kruskop has a long association with Lüdenbach
In the dreaded small print a website is noted where the directory can be found
http://www.uk-internet-register.com/
A whois confirms that this domain is owned by DAD and was only set up in January this year, a reverse DNS on the server shows it hosts other very similar domains such as:
American-internet-register.com
Belgisch-internet-register.com
Canadian-internet-register.com
I wonder where DAD’s misleading Faxes will be going next?
If you have signed this form in error and are now disputing the matter, please visit the stopECG page on DAD.
Labels: contract, Deutscher Adressdienst GmbH, misleading, UK Internet Register
EuroCity Guide. Having gone through the mill fighting them, I was
amazed to be contacted on the phone by a lady who
asked if I wanted to repeat my entry and, when
asked, was told it would
cost £139 and no mention of the 3-year contract.
BEWARE 1
http://lofi-gaming.org.uk/blog/2007/05/uk-internet-register-scam.php
Letter heading is: UK Internet Register and with the 080 82 38 02 31 number to fax to.
Careful reading reveals they want £ 639 p.a. to advertise in the register.
The return address is to DAD in Hamburg.
Andrew www.daykin.biz
Undelivered Items:
MLG
AT122641
c/o Spring
GREENFORD
UB18 7AT
Mailstamp shows Royal Mail, postage paid GB, HQ18465
I noticed the German-connection and wondered why a company in Germany would be dealing with UK domains... I smelt a rat!
Then when I saw the fee of £639 per year ... well, I rest my case!
Cheaper to go to an SEO-expert I would say.
I got my invoice this morning.
It is misleading when i received the initial form I thought i was updating details.
Anyway I have now received invoice
any ideas how i should deal with this
by the way this is supposedly a three year contract
before i saw this blog I sent an e-mail to info@deutscher-adressdienst.de
which is on the bottom of there invoice it returned server not found
Help!!!!
Andrew
DAD is still selling you whatever their scam is (nothing I assume) for 1287 US $ -- I can't believe anyone would be foolish enough to sign and respond, but I guess they count on a few bozos to unwittingly respond.
A friend of mine was caught out by a version of this and was hounded for about 2 years when he (reasonably) refused to pay.
Gordon Warden
Proprietor
The Olde Kings arms
Hemel Hempstead. HERTS
Someone from there company phoned me and asked if we would like to appear on the UK internet register. If so just sign the fax document and send it straight back, no mention of the £639.
THESE PEOPLE ARE RIP OFF MERCHANTS!!!!!!!!!!
CURRENTLY CONTACTING WATCHDOG AND LEGAL ADVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope this is of some help.
Ben lancaster
C/ Martinez Cubells N0 6, 40, PTA 8 E-46002 Valencia. Fax +34 902 36 34 71.
with this web address listed.
http://www.defclientecg.com/
I posted it back with unwanted scamming mail written on the envelope.
Edward
I have the same problem, only difference is the country: Belgium. Thank you for your website. I was about to settle the case with only 1 year payment, but now i feel like not paying at all!
Let us join together to fight misleading scam ads!
Return address is:
Martinez Cubells 6
E-46002 Valencia
Spain
Fax: +34 902 36 34 71
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