Documentation renewal

[Chuck34]

Just a reminder to all you owners of documented boats, when it comes time to renew, only go to the CG documentation website and renew for $26. If you get a reminder letter and it gives you a website address and they want $75, that is not the CG website but a private documentation service. The letter looks very official and fools many people into thinking it came from the CG. It even has a West VA return address even though it was mailed from CAL.
BEWARE!

[Chuck34]

Here's a press release from BOAT US about this.

https://www.boatus.com/pressroom/release.asp?id=1280

[Chuck34]

Originally Posted by Chuck34

Here's a press release from BOAT US about this.

https://www.boatus.com/pressroom/release.asp?id=1280

Included in this press release, BOAT US has a link to their complaint department and encourages its members to use it. If enough boaters fill this out, BOAT US has enough clout that maybe something can be done about this company.

[bletso]

I got two letters yesterday from a company called U s Vessel Documentation web address, (dead give away), www.usgcdocumentation.us It is one of those companies that prey on boat owner ignorance. Nice official looking letterhead.

[Chuck34]

Originally Posted by bletso

I got two letters yesterday from a company called U s Vessel Documentation web address, (dead give away), www.usgcdocumentation.us It is one of those companies that prey on boat owner ignorance. Nice official looking letterhead.

You will probably get your reminder letter next week from the actual Coast Guard. Mine came one week after the scam letter.

[Chuck34]

I posted this alert on another boating forum and one of the members came on to say he was fooled and even went for the 5 year renewal. He is pissed.
That's why I'm trying to alert as many people as possible so more people won't fall for this scam

[Chuck34]

Just about everyone who fell for this has lost one, if not two months on their new renewal. My current document expires 5/31/2017. The new one I just got from these people expires 4/30/2018. I have read a couple of posts on other boating forums where the boat owner lost 2 months.

[DeborahLee]

Don't just throw the letters in the trash. Boat US recommends contacting the US Postal Inspectors about the fraudulent letter. I also contacted Homeland Security as the letter and Web site are designed to make you think you are dealing with the CG. The web address being a .US not a .Com. This could be a great way for terrorist to raise money spoofing the CG documentation. If you have been sucked in call your VISA card and dispute the charge. If VISA gets enough complaints they will revoke their ability to use visa. They depend on people saying well it was just $75 and it won't happen again, till next time. Think how many $75 they got ten $750 a hundred $7500 how about a thousand $75,000.

[Cotemar]

Great work Chuck34

We need everyone to pay attention to this scam and do not fall for it.

Here is the correct USCG renewal web site.

Real - National Vessel Documentation Center: https://www.uscg.mil/nvdc/

The real Certificate of Documentation Renewal fee is $26.00 Per
Vessel and takes just a few minute to do online when you get your offical USCG letter in the mail

Do not fall for the scam letters in these pictures below.
.
.

[SSgtPitt]

TWICE, it says we are NOT the USCG but a private documentation firm. I'm truly sorry if you got duped, but I can read.
I can't wait for the pendulem to swing the other way, where we are responsible for our own actions and decisions and stop blaming others for our mistakes.

[Chuck34]

Originally Posted by SSgtPitt

TWICE, it says we are NOT the USCG but a private documentation firm. I'm truly sorry if you got duped, but I can read.
I can't wait for the pendulem to swing the other way, where we are responsible for our own actions and decisions and stop blaming others for our mistakes.

From the very beginning, I've said I was an idiot for falling for this and not reading the fine print, so I am not trying to shirk my part in this.
My goal is to alert as many people as possible to not fall for it.

[Tkeeth]

Originally Posted by SSgtPitt

TWICE, it says we are NOT the USCG but a private documentation firm. I'm truly sorry if you got duped, but I can read.
I can't wait for the pendulem to swing the other way, where we are responsible for our own actions and decisions and stop blaming others for our mistakes.

I quit trusting any mail, real or email, years ago. If I get anything that even half way looks official, I google, call the main number and ask. If I don't call them I don't even respond. If I don't know your phone number I don't answer my phone either. Just saying "yes" on tape can cause problems.

[DeborahLee]

Originally Posted by SSgtPitt

TWICE, it says we are NOT the USCG but a private documentation firm. I'm truly sorry if you got duped, but I can read.
I can't wait for the pendulem to swing the other way, where we are responsible for our own actions and decisions and stop blaming others for our mistakes.

Sorry I must need glasses as I have read and reread the letter several times and have not seen anywhere in it that says U.S. Documentation is a service company. In fact when I called to complain that I didn't get my renewal in the mail they apologized saying it must have been lost in the mail nor did they explain the $75 fee only saying that there had been an increase. They NEVER said they were a service and I was on the phone with them for 20 minutes. Maybe I need hearing aids to go with the glasses. The only thing they had on their mind was trying to get me to take the 5 year plan.

[Tkeeth]

Originally Posted by DeborahLee

Sorry I must need glasses as I have read and reread the letter several times and have not seen anywhere in it that says U.S. Documentation is a service company. In fact when I called to complain that I didn't get my renewal in the mail they apologized saying it must have been lost in the mail nor did they explain the $75 fee only saying that there had been an increase. They NEVER said they were a service and I was on the phone with them for 20 minutes. Maybe I need hearing aids to go with the glasses. The only thing they had on their mind was trying to get me to take the 5 year plan.

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

[Chuck34]

Originally Posted by DeborahLee

Sorry I must need glasses as I have read and reread the letter several times and have not seen anywhere in it that says U.S. Documentation is a service company. In fact when I called to complain that I didn't get my renewal in the mail they apologized saying it must have been lost in the mail nor did they explain the $75 fee only saying that there had been an increase. They NEVER said they were a service and I was on the phone with them for 20 minutes. Maybe I need hearing aids to go with the glasses. The only thing they had on their mind was trying to get me to take the 5 year plan.

Here's my take...
There are 3 steps.
Step 1, the letter. 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 agent, not the CG.
Step 3, click on Terms and conditions and 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 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 ignored step 3.