Cold Callin' Slick Talkin', SEO BSer trying to steal clients! Sick. Options

[Leann_Pass]

Be Aware of these Cold Callin' Slick Talkin' SEO BSers

Background (sorry):

Any of you who know me at all, know I DO NOT SPAM. I work for legit individuals and companies who are in this for the long haul - I work hard for them and protect their sites from anything that could ever cause a problem.


The client who got the call is one of our best clents who has been with us for close to 3 years. We designed the site and do everything for the site (continual updates -which are required for their market-, copywriting, maintenance, hosting, CMS, etc.) because they prefer it that way. This site has been coming up #1 for oodles of awesome keyword phrases consistently in all the major SE's for 2 years. It even comes up #2 for their CITY! Not because we spam or scheme, but because we consistently work at making the site WORTHY of top rankings.

The story goes:

I got a call from the above mentioned client today. She wanted to let me know that "this gentelman" named Denis ___ called and told her: "Your website is about to be banned from Google!" She didn't pay much attention to him at first, but being the sweet soul she is, she just let him talk.

Then this Denis started explaining to her all about GOOGLE. Then moved on to how Google is cracking down on spam. He told her that her site is "on the list" to be banned because it is involved in LINK FARMING - at which time he was kind enough to email her a page from some icky site that has a link to her - and told her that was getting her banned, unless it was addressed right away.

She (bless her heart!) asked him, "Now, you work for Google and you're just warning us, is that right?" Denis replies with a "Well, noooooo. I work for blankblankblank, BUT...the point is that this needs to be fixed fast, because Google is going to ban your site and I really really don't want that to happen to you".

She said he really started sounding soooooooo sincere that she started to believe that he was honestly concerned! So she responded with, "This sounds serious! Could you talk to our website people so they can fix it? I'll give you their number, I know they will want to know this!" Denis replies, "Oh no, they are the ones doing this to you, they know what they are doing. They don't have your best interest at heart, they sure don't want to hear from ME!" Thank goodness his response threw up a HUGE RED FLAG for her!

She then asked, "Well, if you won't talk to the ones who can fix it, what is the purpose of your call? Are you wanting to fix this yourself? Is that why you called?"

Denis replies, "Well, Yes! That is what I need to talk to the head of the company about". That did it for her. She nicely told him that she would consider what he had said and get back to him if she felt they required his services.

He ended the conversation by saying he was "definitely putting upi on my 'call back list' because of the seriousness of this situation."

Before she hung up, she asked for all his contact info and website address, which she emailed to me right away. Then she called me so I would "Be Aware of this gentleman's intentions" (she is so sweet and proper!).

-----------------

I checked out his site and found that this "company" (if that's what you want to call it) are the type that know just enough SEO lingo for lay people to think they know what they are talking about; but they sound and look like PLAIN FOOLS to anyone who REALLY knows the business.

His site shows things like this:

"Website Advertising Services":

"Search Engine Submissions"
"Free Search Engine Submissions"
"Website Traffic"


Through out the site he says things like:


"Search engines rank websites using a technology - called algorithm."


"...manually submit your site or use a software."


"Search engines will also sort in the order of relevance - called search results."

He had some pages that I would love to look at, as I have never heard of such: "Search Submission Commandments" and "Effective Body Description". I would tell you what that stuff means, except the pages are 404's. =)


Best of all, if you give him all your info (everything except your blood type) and provide him with your 5 KEYWORDS, you can get this:

"PRICE QUOTE & Free Professional Website Analysis

Submit and optimize your website for:"
Check the boxes that apply-
Google
AltaVista
AOL
Alltheweb
Netscape
About
Wisenut
Dogpile
Metacrawler
Sympatico
Iwon
Yahoo
MSN
Excite
Ask Jeeves
Lycos
CNN
Teoma
Mamma
Kanoodle
Hot Bot


-----------------------------------

This stuff just makes me sick. Beware of these guys - they are the worst kind: dumb as stumps; but gutsy enough to cold call with the slick talk that puts fear into people.

Leann

[Moderator Note: Leann has requested that people not pm or email her about this incident anymore as she's already fielded hundreds of requests and she's had enough. - Jill]

This post has been edited by Jill: Mar 23 2006, 10:23 PM

[juliesjewels]

Thanks for taking the time to post the details of the call. I hope your post helps at least one person avoid these scams and avoid wasting their money. (IMG:http://www.highrankings.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/appl.gif)

[kid disco]

Then this Denis started explaining to her all about GOOGLE. Then moved on to how Google is cracking down on spam. He told her that her site is "on the list" to be banned because it is involved in LINK FARMING - at which time he was kind enough to email her a page from some icky site that has a link to her - and told her that was getting her banned, unless it was addressed right away.

I wouldn't doubt that the "icky site" is probably his own... to which he adds links to potential victims.


(IMG:http://www.highrankings.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/whack.gif)

[redsonia!]

(IMG:http://www.highrankings.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/offtopic.gif) Hey, kid disco, if you're the 2nd best looking internet geek (as you oh so immodestly claim (IMG:http://www.highrankings.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/whistling.gif) ), who's the best lookin'? (IMG:http://www.highrankings.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/search.gif)

[Leann_Pass]

UPDATE already! - Turns out this Denis is not just a Slick Talkin' BSer, he's a wanna-be Black Mailer!! (IMG:http://www.highrankings.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/hmm.gif) My client forwarded me the following.

Shortly after he called her, Denis sent her this email:


From: (removed)- Denis [mailto:(removed).com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 12:11 PM
To: (my client removed)
Subject: BMW Banned


Here are 2 different articles about Google banning BMW for cheating.

This one is a Blog from Google users to post click here

This one is the NY Times click here

Also here is a link with some basic Google spamming rules and how to report someone for cheating. Click Here



Denis (last name removed)
Web Advertising Consultant

USA/Canada Toll free (removed)
UK Toll Free (removed)
Local (removed)
Cell (removed)
www.(removed).com



---------------------------------------------

She replied - nice of her I thought!


-----Original Message-----
From: (my client removed) [mailto:(removed)]
Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 1:55 PM
To: (removed) - Denis
Subject: RE: BMW Banned



Thanks for your information but we will pass on the service you are offering.




--------------------------

He replies again with BLACKMAIL! HAHAHAHAHAHA


From: (removed)- Denis [mailto:(removed).com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 2:05 PM
To: (my client removed)
Subject: RE: BMW Banned


I make sure to report you to Google for link farming. I’m sorry. Your website will be banned and you will not be able to be found on Google not even with your company name



Denis (last name removed)
Web Advertising Consultant

USA/Canada Toll free (removed)
UK Toll Free (removed)
Local (removed)
Cell (removed)
www.(removed).com

-------------------------------------

She decided to ask him some things based on the conversation she and I had this morning - I was proud of her! :

-----Original Message-----
From: (my client removed) [mailto:(removed)]
Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 4:14 PM
To: (removed) - Denis
Subject: RE: BMW Banned



Questions for you...


What is your job in this company? Do you actually optimize sites yourself? Are you saying that just because that page has a link to us, we are in a link farm and we are getting banned? Can you tell me what a link farm is? Can you tell me what day we are scheduled for banning? Can you tell me how you would prevent the BAN?

I would like answers to these questions please.



Thanks again.

--------------------------------------

He replies to her questions with another BLACKMAIL THREAT:

From: (removed)- Denis [mailto:(removed).com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 5:00 PM
To: (my client removed)
Subject: RE: BMW Banned


Your not interested in our services then I’m not interest in answering your questions. Were the best there is that why we are #1 without cheating. You want to be saved PAY ME !!!! 6-8 weeks



Denis (last name removed)

Web Advertising Consultant

USA/Canada Toll free (removed)
UK Toll Free (removed)
Local (removed)
Cell (removed)
www.(removed).com


INTERESTING, HUH?? Personally I am shakin' in my shoes - I mean God forbid he should report my FARM!! (IMG:http://www.highrankings.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/lol.gif)

[Jill]

Guess that's the latest cold call scam. Thanks for bringing it to our attention, Leann.

[redsonia!]

Man, does he have gall! (IMG:http://www.highrankings.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) Does he actually believe this type of threat will work?! LeAnn, I think you should report him to the BBB. Are there any other organizations you can report him to? I wonder if your client could take legal action against him for attempted extortion? (IMG:http://www.highrankings.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/eek.gif)

Or maybe she could just threaten to have him charged with attempted extortion? (IMG:http://www.highrankings.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/threaten.gif) Scare the pants off him, for a change!

[Leann_Pass]

I wouldn't doubt that the "icky site" is probably his own... to which he adds links to potential victims.

Kid Disco, You are probably right, I hadn't thought of that!

Guess that's the latest cold call scam. Thanks for bringing it to our attention, Leann.

Jill, yep just the latest - but I think the black mail stuff makes it a little different, maybe I'm wrong?

maybe she could just threaten to have him charged with attempted extortion?  Scare the pants off him, for a change!

You know Sandy, it makes me sick enough that I want to - the thing is I don't want my client to waste ANY more time on it - she already spent tooo much. Then again, he really thinks he can get away with it - probably because he does, and I HATE THAT MORE THAN ANYTHING!!

The question is, is it worth the effort? I mean really, you are correct - HE IS practicing EXTORTION!


Nasty business - I just want to make sure EVERYONE is aware of their tactics.
(they seem to have a lot of clients - ugh - that they probably stole in this very manner AFTER their sites were well ranked.)

Leann

[Catz]

Sounds like his English is not very good either from his responses.

Maybe he is just trying to get credit card info from people and this is a way to try to scam them into giving it to him.

If your client did not have someone who knows what they are doing (you) working with her to ask about this, she might have been taken in like many web site owners probably are.

[ewc21]

Thanks Leann, I saw the site and it's definitely someone who prefers to talk a lot with nothing much to show. The portfolio has links to pages that don't display properly in Mozilla. Maybe I am out of the way but it's ridiculous to read that appalling black list threat (it would be fair if it were true but I doubt this is the purpose).

He focuses on Google, because his site has specifically a section for "Search Engine Optimization for Google"and no wonder Google must be after this type of scumbags who blackmail people and advocate wrong SEO practices.

[Jill]

Jill, yep just the latest - but I think the black mail stuff makes it a little different, maybe I'm wrong?

Yeah, I posted my post while you were posting your blackmail one, so I didn't see that.

Do you have full copies of the emails Leann? With headers and stuff? I'm even thinking about allowing you to out who they are on this forum because this is simply disgusting.

[ewc21]

It would be helpful to others reading the forum to be aware of their practice than have them guess who this is.

[mavahntooth]

that was sick... but i guess that man really needs money. (IMG:http://www.highrankings.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
you should report it, to prevent inoccent people to transact with him.

[magellan]

It is sad that some 'SEO' companies have sunk to these low levels. Maybe it would be a good subject for Matt Cutts' blog?

[jehochman]

This isn't an SEO company. It's Internet fraud, possibly criminal. You can find the site by Googling some of the long text phrases that Leann has provided.

They should be reported to the FTC, here https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=

This post has been edited by jehochman: Mar 15 2006, 10:21 AM