Documentation renewal

[DeborahLee]

Originally Posted by Tkeeth

I only see a couple of places and this at the bottom
"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."

I think this is probably a good idea and this type of service clearly stated up front is something many would do so as not to worry about it. Had a few friends get stuck because they forgot to renew. A 200% markup and the suggestion of officialism screams very loud about this particular service.
I might start up a service....hmmmm

There is nothing at the bottom of my letter that has anything like that Copyright 2017 U.S. VESSEL DOCUMENTATION. Mine says any questions or concerns contact us at www.
I think some think I went to their web site. I didn't I called them and talked to them. I never went to their site until after reading about them. If I had gone to the web instead of calling I would have seen the part about being a service. They never said anything over the phone about being a service and continued the charade about being the USCG.

[DeborahLee]

Just received a Renewal Reminder Notice from the FCC about my boats call sign and equipment. Really had me a little gun shy coming so soon after all the #%^# about documentation. Had to call FCC to make sure it did come from them before starting to get my wallet out. This is what happens when some scam artist start something you don't trust anyone.

[Chuck34]

Originally Posted by DeborahLee

Just received a Renewal Reminder Notice from the FCC about my boats call sign and equipment. Really had me a little gun shy coming so soon after all the #%^# about documentation. Had to call FCC to make sure it did come from them before starting to get my wallet out. This is what happens when some scam artist start something you don't trust anyone.

So what did the FCC tell you? I thought we no longer have to register with the FCC for marine radios and haven't for some years.

[DeborahLee]

If you go out of the states you need a radio telephone license (free) and ship station license for other equipment ($220) now. Called Ship radio station authorization.

[Chuck34]

Originally Posted by DeborahLee

If you go out of the states you need a radio telephone license (free) and ship station license for other equipment ($220) now. Called Ship radio station authorization.

Gotcha. Since I never leave the Chesapeake Bay and tributaries, I don't have to bother with these rules. I just know FCC registration for marine radios ended some years ago.

So, did the letter you got come from the FCC or an "agent" charging extra for something you can do yourself?

[DeborahLee]

No it was the real FCC.

[DeborahLee]

Sorry never went to web site as I wanted to see why I hadn't received my renewal in the mail. USCG Vessel Documentation apologized saying it must have been lost in the mail knowing full well that the USCG hadn't sent it yet. They LIED. Never went to web site till 2days after they scammed me. I now have my Documentation and my $75 back from VISA and all I lost was 2 months on the documentation, or should I say I gained 10 months.

[Chuck34]

Let us know if they give you a hard time about your VISA charge back. If they do, add insult to injury and offer to send them a check for $21.67....the amount you would have to pay the CG for 10 months of documentation.

[DeborahLee]

Have had no feed back from VISA received my statement with credit been over 4 weeks. They didn't answer phone when VISA called evidently they didn't return call to them either.. They don't want to get into it with VISA and possibly lose there account with them. That's why I say everyone that was taken should dispute their charges even if they lose it don't cost anymore but makes them look bad and VISA doesn't want the extra work.

[DeborahLee]

Also make sure to save the envelope for the postal inspectors. If it shows coming from West Virginia and their , address is in California it adds to the case of it being mail fraud. Boat US has a link to the USPS inspectors.

[Chuck34]

Originally Posted by DeborahLee

Have had no feed back from VISA received my statement with credit been over 4 weeks. They didn't answer phone when VISA called evidently they didn't return call to them either.. They don't want to get into it with VISA and possibly lose there account with them. That's why I say everyone that was taken should dispute their charges even if they lose it don't cost anymore but makes them look bad and VISA doesn't want the extra work.

Now I wish I had complained to VISA, but it was over 6 weeks ago. I got my document...cost me $75, but I got it.
My goal, tell as many people as I can about this company and how they do business.

[Chuck34]

Anyone who fell for this, you might want to take a look at this company's facebook page and give a review.
It makes for interesting reading. There are 50-60, 5 star reviews, a number of which were posted on the same day. There are about 20, 1 star reviews all saying the same thing...it's a scam - stay away.
There are no other reviews other than these 1 star and 5 star reviews. Never seen that before. Makes you wonder why.

Anyway, here's the link.
https://www.facebook.com/USCGdocumentation/

[KenK]

Hi,
I just want to add to this that I had stupidly fallen for this scam because I was in hurry and although the $75 struck me as high, I thought that like everything else, the price jumped up due to cutbacks. It wasn't until a few days later that I re-read the letter, checked it out online and found threads like this warning about this scammy operation. I emailed info@uscgdocumentation.us and told them "I was under the false impression that you were the Department of Homeland Security, US Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center. Please do not process my order and credit my Visa card." I then contacted Visa and disputed. I sited the info on this and other threads as well as the BOAT US complaints office. It took a while but Visa just wrote back and said they will reverse the charge. However, Visa also stated: "Should the merchant's processor dispute this reversal within Visa guidelines, we will notify you of the rebuttal.

So, if others fall for this shady operation and find this thread--know that you can dispute the charge on your credit card. If more people do that maybe it will put an end to this misleading tactic.

[Chuck34]

Hey Ken, glad you got your money back from VISA. Let us know if the merchant disputes your charge back.

Now, go to their facebook page and give them a review.

here's the link.

https://www.facebook.com/USCGdocumentation/

[Tkeeth]

OK, I have to admit, I was annoyed with this as kind of a buyer beware scenario, but after looking at the facebook page and the reviews any doubt is gone. I cannot imagine that anyone doing business where they have to generate what appears to be fake reviews could then claim legitimacy in any form. Either your a liar or not...right?