Documentation renewal-don't fall for this scam

This guy is so legit that the return address on his envelope in Morgantown ,WV, is fake (it's a restaurant), and his website shows his location as California.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Gregory S

Sure. It's legal, but still a scam.

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Not so sure about it being legal. I've got a feeling any first year lawyer can present enough evidence that the company intentionally misleads boaters that a judge would, at the least, issue a "cease & desist order" to stop sending out their fake letters.
Once the letters stop, they will lose 95% of their renewal business.
 
Has anyone filed a complaint with Coast Guard or other authorities and if so, what was the response?
 
I emailed the CG a couple of times about this. Basically they said they couldn't do anything but suggested complaining to the postal service and FTC. I get the feeling they have received numerous complaints on this company. Someone said on another forum they heard that the CG is starting to look into this.
I also filed a complaint with BOAT US.
 
I sent him an e mail saying what I thought about his deceptive practices. Of course, no response.
 
My real CG documentation form came today. $26 not $75!
 
At this point, And since I'm sure I fell for this scam last year, I don't remember the real process. Does Coast Guard send me a reminder or do I just call up and renew?
 
Yes, the CG does send out reminder letters, but not a bad idea to get on their website, look up your boat and make sure all the info is correct. I've read post where people didn't get their letter due to an error in their address.
 
Your reminder from The CG should come early in the month before your documentation expiration. When you get the letter from the bogus site, know that the real renewal form will come several weeks later. This thread should be a "sticky" so others don't fall for this scam.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Gregory S

Your reminder from The CG should come early in the month before your documentation expiration. When you get the letter from the bogus site, know that the real renewal form will come several weeks later. This thread should be a "sticky" so others don't fall for this scam.

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Thanks. I already got the scam letter. Just waiting for the real one.
 
This advisory is from the Coast Guard

May 16, 2017 Safety Advisory 01-17. Washington, DC

Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation Services

Be Aware of Third Party Service Providers

The U.S. Coast Guard’s National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC), located in Falling Waters, West Virginia, is the only entity authorized to issue Certificates of Documentation (CODs), Form CG- 1270, valid for a period of one year from date of issuance. This document is required for vessels engaged in Commercial trade and is optional for vessels five net tons and over engaged in recreational use/activities.

The NVDC is aware that there are commercial entities that offer to manage the certification/renewal process on behalf of vessel owners for a fee. The Coast Guard does not endorse any of these companies, and the companies do not operate on behalf of the Coast Guard in any way. Any fees charged beyond the $26 renewal fee, to include other fees found in title 46 CFR 67.550, or other agreements offered by such companies are in no way associated with the NVDC certification process. In addition, these companies are not authorized to issue any form of documentation, including travel letters and/or permits that authorize operation of ANY vessel.

Persons interested in conducting business directly with NVDC should visit the official Coast Guard website at: http://www.uscg.mil/nvdc/. NOTE: The only legitimate Coast Guard website offering documentation uses a “.mil” domain name. Web domains using “.us,” “.com,” “.org” are not authorized.

To obtain official forms, visit the USCG NVDC website or contact NVDC at (800) 799-8362 or (304) 271-2400. Phone hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday; phones are not manned on Thursdays.

Application packages and documents eligible for filing (in .pdf format) can be e-mailed to nvdc.pdf.filingrb2@gr5tuscg.mil or faxed to (304) 271-2405. COD Renewal requests (Form CG-1280) are accepted via vdc-pf-nvdcrenewalsrb2@gr5tuscg.mil with credit card payment of $26.00 via Form CG-7042.

The following products may be ordered online: Renewals (Form CG-1280), Late Renewals (Form CG-1280), Abstract of Title (Form CG-7043) and Certified Copy of COD (Form CG-7043) requests. From the main page, follow the “Order Products Online” link. The Fee Schedule can be found here: http://www.uscg.mil/nvdc/instr/fee sch.pdf

Users are encouraged to register to receive notices and updates via e-mail by utilizing NVDC’s email subscription service. From the main page, follow the "Subscribe to NVDC Information" link. Please report any issues to the NVDC Webmaster. Customer complaints regarding false service providers can be made through the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) website at http://www.ftc.gov/.

This Safety Advisory is provided for informational purposes only and does not relieve any domestic or international safety, operational or material requirement. Developed by the Coast Guard’s National Vessel Documentation Center and distributed by the Office of Investigations and Casualty Analysis, Washington DC. Questions may be sent to nvdc.w.webmasterrb2@gr5tuscg.mil.
 
A.M.: that's how the scam works. You get the bogus letter before the CG letter arrives. CG says approx. 60 days before expiration is when real notice arrives.
CWMS: Where did you see that advisory?
 
Here's how the scam works.
There are 3 steps from this vendor
Step 1, The reminder letter. Very vague as to being 3rd party and easily fools people into thinking it came from the CG.
Step 2, the website does give a little more detail as to the company being an 3rd party agent, not the CG.
Step 3, if you click on Terms and conditions, it is very specific that they are a 3rd party documentation agent.
Their strategy....fool enough people with step 1 and they really don't look very hard at step 2 and rarely look at step 3. And now they have an out, "see our step 3, where we clearly say we are a 3rd party vendor".
And it works. As soon as I saw the letter (step 1), I honestly believed it came from the CG. My guard dropped and I hardly looked at step 2 and completely ignored step 3.
 
And of course the letter has to arrive before the official CG notice arrives. That's easy for them because they know the CG sends them out about 60 days before expiration and they can find the expiration date of any certificate by visiting the NVDC website.
 
Just bringing this back to the top of the page in case anyone missed it.
Don't fall for this scam. Only renew with the actual Coast Guard Documentation Center. Only costs $26. These scumbags charge you $75.
 
Signed the form, sent them a check for $26 last week. New documentation certificate arrived today. The back log at The NVDC must not be affecting renewals.
Also, it looks like his Facebook page is gone!, Maybe we beat this scam artist.
 
quote:
Originally posted by cwms

When you get a CG renewal letter, make sure it is from the CG. I got a letter in the mail directing me to their website where I ended up paying $75 for renewal. I now know it was a documentation service and not the CG.
They got me this time but never again.
Next year, I will renew only with the CG and $26...not $75.

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Guys, just a reminder. Don't fall for this.
 
Yep, the bogus renewal letters are arriving a month before your actual Coast Guard letter.
 
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