Be very careful in the renewal process. We almost got caught in a scam and even then they got more information than is comfortable.
A company with website uscgdocumentation.us sends a letter in which it is difficult to determine if they are the coast guard or an authorized representative. It has a large watermark that seems coast guard like. One of the problems with privatization of
government services is knowing if the privatized
service is legitimate. In any event they have your documentation number, name, and address which is easy to find through the USCG database. They send the letter requesting you contact them for documentation. The return address is in WV (sounds right eh), but the letter is stamped by a
California post office. You call, get an answering machine, and they call back.
The cost for updated documentation is $90/yr and we can offer a 5 year documentation at $90/year.
But it was $29 last year. Well the
price is higher now.
Hey our documentation ownership does not match our title ownership. Yes they screwed that up back in 2007 and will refuse to fix the mistake now. But we can change it for $450 now- non refundable.
Well that raises a trust issue. If it was done improperly then how can we be sure it is done right now? I can elevate your concern to my management, but I doubt they will be responsive.
If possible, do the documentation through the USCG website. It still costs $29. Nobody else can harmonize the title and documentation ownership except the USCG for $84. The USCG maintains that it is not necessary that they are harmonized, the title is what counts. Congress has not authorized the 5 year documentation though it has been in the works.
If you contact the postal service about suspected mail fraud, they request that you provide all sorts of information, but they only follow-up after numerous other complaints. In other words, the scammers have already collected and vaporized before there is postal inspector follow-up.
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