Blog for hpHosts, and whatever else I feel like writing about ....

Friday 12 September 2008

Dear Register.com - STOP SPAMMING ME!

Dear Register.com,
I've contacted you before, I've tried your unsubscription links, and I've even spoken to one of your employee's via your very hard to find, online chat - I've given up. You seem intent on spamming me, irrespective of my wishes.

I first contacted Register.com last year, to report a phishing scam hosted by one of their customers. Alas their response was not what I had expected as they claimed the domain was not registered (it most certainly was, and I sent them screenshots and stuff to prove it!);

Chat Session


Discussion Thread
---------------------------------------------------------------
Response (Scott K.) - 02/09/2007 09:49 PM
Dear Steven Burn,

Thank you for contacting Register.com regarding the domain name "cheko.us".

We understand that you wish to compalain about the above mention domain name.

We have checked the records for the domain name and the above mention domain name is available for registration. In that case the site which you have mentioned is not a phishing site.

If you have any further questions, please respond to this incident by replying, or using the link included at the beginning of this email. You can also contact a Web Services Consultant 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at the numbers below.

Thank you for choosing Register.com, recognized for “An Outstanding Customer Service Experience” by J.D. Power and Associates.

Customer Support
Register.com, Inc.
Toll free within the U.S. and Canada: (877) 731-4441
Outside the U.S. and Canada: (902) 749-5918

For J.D. Power and Associates Certified Call Center Program(sm) information, visit www.jdpower.com or call 1-866-842-7548.

Chat Transcript - 02/08/2007 02:58 PM
Thank you for visiting Register.com's Live Support. How can I help you?
Steven: Are you still the registrar for cheko.us ????
Steven: If so, can you take it offline please as it is currently hosting a phishing scam for a UK bank
Steven: http://www.mybusinessbank.co.uk.cs07921-banking.cheko.us/confirm/sbuser/
Scott K.: Thank you for the domain name. Can I have a few minutes while I check the records for you?
Steven: no problem
Scott K.: Thanks.
Scott K.: The domain name cheko.us is registered with Register.com.
Scott K.: Do you wish to complaint against this site?
Steven: I know .... thats why I came to your website
Steven: absolutely
Scott K.: Okay.
Steven: the link I gave you above goes to a phishing scam hosted on this domain name
Scott K.: Okay.
Scott K.: I would have to forward this issue to our appropriate department and they will contact regarding this.
Steven: can you tell me how long that will take please?
Steven: and of course, if you can disable the domain name in the meantime?
Scott K.: The link you have provided is not working.
Scott K.: http://www.mybusinessbank.co.uk.cs07921-banking.cheko.us/confirm/sbuser/
Steven: it's working just fine here ....
Steven: I can send you a screenshot if that will help?
Scott K.: Let me check this for you again.
Steven: no problem
Scott K.: Thanks.
Scott K.: I have checked it again.
Scott K.: It shows that the URL is invalid.
Scott K.: Please check the name again.
Steven: it is definately not invalid as I have it visible in my browser as I write this .....
Steven: http://www.mybusinessbank.co.uk.cs07921-banking.cheko.us/confirm/sbuser/
Scott K.: Okay.
Scott K.: I have checked the URL twice but it is showing the same thing.
Steven: if you like, I can send you both a copy of the phishing e-mail, and a screenshot of the site ?????
Scott K.: Okay.
Scott K.: Can you send at register1@rcomtest.com?
Steven: No problem
Scott K.: Okay.
Scott K.: Is there anything else I can assist you with?
Steven: Sent both the e-mail, and a screenshot
Steven: nope, thats it thankyou
Scott K.: Okay.
Scott K.: Thank you for contacting Register.com.
Scott K.: Bye and have a nice day ahead.
Steven: No problem
Steven: and you
Scott K.: Thanks.
Scott K.: disconnected
Steven: disconnected

[---001:003239:51588---]


Ever since that chat session, they have insisted on sending me spam - not the best way to get new customers. I tried contacting ICANN about this, and was first told;

Dear Steve,

We will also contact this registrar. Please contact me again if you receive other spams from the same company.

Best regards,

Steve Gobin
Registrar Liaison Manager
ICANN Brussels Office
http://www.icann.org
http://www.internic.net


.... I then received more spam, and as he'd asked, I contacted him again, to which I received;

Dear Steven,

When I received your previous e-mail, I contacted Register.com in order to help you but, as I told you, that kind of problem does not come under ICANN's authority.

I therefore recommend you to report the problem to a law enforcement agency in the registrar's country or to spam-fighting associations such as Spamhaus (http://www.spamhaus.org).

Best regards,

Steve Gobin


Not really much help is it? Contrary to the claims of the individual I spoke to on their chat session, I am not nor ever have been, a Register.com customer, nor have I ever given them permission to spam me (evident by the fact they send the spam to register_com@ (the address I used to report the phish), and serices@ (an address I have never used (besides anything else - it's spelt incorrectly - the "v" is missing)). The indiviual I spoke to, also advised me that I would be removed from their mailing list, and someone would contact me to confirm such. Alas, nothing has been received (other than the spam), and unlike last time, I didn't receive a copy of the chat session transcript either.

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