Fake USCG Registration site robbing $75 from Cruisers

[Cotemar]

Fake USCG Registration site robbing $75 from Cruisers.

I received an official looking "Vessel Renewal Courtesy Notice"
At this time, records indicate that your vessel’s USCG Documentation is SET TO EXPIRE within forty-five (45) days.
The Fake web site is uscgdocumentation.us, which is obviously not the USCG and they want $75 for a FAKE RENEWAL

Unwittingly, some boaters could get sucked-in to this scam and fake web site, so BEWARE and tell all your boating friends about this.

Real - National Vessel Documentation Center: https://www.uscg.mil/nvdc/
The real Certificate of Documentation Renewal fee is $26.00 Per Vessel

The Fake Letter was mailed from, Chino Hills, CA 91709

The fake address return address on the letter is:
Hugh Baby's Restaurant
62 Morrill Way, Morgantown, WV 26505

The Fake web site is: uscgdocumentation.us
The guy behind the FAKE Documentation site is: John Soria, he is on LinkedIn also.
Here is John Soria boat surveyor website.
Boat Surveyor and Marine Surveyor in Long Beach, Newport Beach and Dana Point | Accredited & Certified Marine Surveyors | Boat Surveys in Dana Point, Long Beach, Oceanside, Newport It even has a link to the FAKE uscgdocumentation.us.

Go to the bottom of the web site page to get the only truth in the whole web site.

Copyright 2017 U.S. VESSEL DOCUMENTATION | All Rights Reserved. U.S. Vessel Documentation is NOT the U.S. Coast Guard or the National Vessel Documentation Center; we are a third party agency that handles USCG Documentation processing to NVDC.
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[wingless]

Isn't it possible that real documentation will be provided after using this service?

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by wingless

Isn't it possible that real documentation will be provided after using this service?

This is sort of like paying a Rapist to babysit your daughter.

He steals money from you and then you have to trust him to document your boat with all your personal information.
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[wingless]

The PO of my boat used a documentation company for the initial documentation for my boat.

How is it known that this company is stealing versus providing a documentation service?

[Tkeeth]

I think it's a good idea to show these sites that use methods to "appear" official to sell products and/or services. I don't know if this website or company is legit, but in today's world you have to be skeptical and informed on everything, even just answering your phone and saying the word "yes" can get you in a bind. That being said, I get letters that appear official for my vehicles, boat, warranties, etc. I throw everything away and use known official channels and numbers.

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by wingless

The PO of my boat used a documentation company for the initial documentation for my boat.

How is it known that this company is stealing versus providing a documentation service?

Yes, a lot of NEW BOAT OWNERS hire a documentation company for the initial documentation at $500 to $600 for the service.

Little do most NEW BOAT OWNERS know is that you can go to the National Vessel Documentation Center and download the form and DIY for $133

https://www.uscg.mil/nvdc/default.asp

The yearly Documentation renewal fee is $26 and you can simply do it online yourself.

WHY WOULD ANY BOATER WANT TO PAY $75 to a scammer when they can go to the REAL National Vessel Documentation Center and pay $26
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[wingless]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

The Fake web site is: uscgdocumentation.us
The guy behind the FAKE Documentation site is: John Soria, he is on LinkedIn also.

Here is John Soria boat surveyor website.
Boat Surveyor and Marine Surveyor in Long Beach, Newport Beach and Dana Point | Accredited & Certified Marine Surveyors | Boat Surveys in Dana Point, Long Beach, Oceanside, Newport It even has a link to the FAKE uscgdocumentation.us.

The "fake" company says they are "accredited and certified". They provide many services, including documentation.

The owner, Captain John Soria, also appears legit.

What substantiates the claims of "fake", "robbing" and "stealing"? Not to mention comparison to a "rapist".

[wingless]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

WHY WOULD ANY BOATER WANT TO PAY $75 to a scammer when they can go to the REAL National Vessel Documentation Center and pay $26

Is the extent of the concern that this guy / company is making a profit for providing this service for this part of their business, or is there something else wrong?

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by wingless

The "fake" company says they are "accredited and certified". They provide many services, including documentation.

The owner, Captain John Soria, also appears legit.

What substantiates the claims of "fake", "robbing" and "stealing"? Not to mention comparison to a "rapist".

Did you not look at the pictures with the FAKE web site and FAKE address from California.

The Real National Vessel Documentation Center is in

NVDC Address:
USCG/National Vessel Documentation Center
792 T J Jackson Drive
Falling Waters, WV 25419

Did you not see the FAKE website statement at the bottom of there page that they are.

Copyright 2017 U.S. VESSEL DOCUMENTATION | All Rights Reserved. U.S. Vessel Documentation is NOT the U.S. Coast Guard or the National Vessel Documentation Center; we are a third party agency that handles USCG Documentation processing to NVDC.
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[wingless]

Is the concern about the envelope return address being 62 Morrill Way, Suite 311-1001, Morgantown, WV? That address belongs to PostNet, so it is probably for post office box number 1001.

A possible legitimate explanation is that they outsource this to a postal service, instead of using trained resources for paperwork.

[dwedeking2]

While I'm not a fan of "your XYZ is due for registration" type of mail marketing tactics there is nothing illegitimate about providing registration services whether it's boat documentation, car registration, etc. Being a DYI type of person and as a common USCG documentation is pretty easy I wouldn't pay someone to perform that service but it doesn't make it "fake".

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by wingless

Is the concern about the envelope return address being 62 Morrill Way, Suite 311-1001, Morgantown, WV? That address belongs to PostNet, so it is probably for post office box number 1001.

A possible legitimate explanation is that they outsource this to a postal service, instead of using trained resources for paperwork.

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ALL I CAN SAY AT THIS POINT IS THAT ITS BOATER LIKE YOU THAT WE ARE TRYING TO PROTECT FROM SCAMMERS
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[wingless]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

ALL I CAN SAY AT THIS POINT IS THAT ITS BOATER LIKE YOU THAT WE ARE TRYING TO PROTECT FROM SCAMMERS

What we? Is there someone in your pocket?

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by wingless

What we? Is there someone in your pocket?

We, the Friendly & Safe Boating Community.

You do remember the scammers that were filing early tax returns on behalf of the real tax payers and taking there REFUND checks.

It took years for our government to fix and a lot of pain and suffering by the REAL tax payers.

[dwedeking2]

You realize that BoatUS and many yacht brokers provide the same service right?