US documentation scam

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Wow, I just did a Google search on "NVDC" (the USCG's National Vessel Documentation Center...the official way to handle vessel docummentation)...about half a dozen other web sites showed up first, several with ".us" domain names, and all styled to look very much like the real NVDC's web page.

Note that the actual NVDC domain name is "www.dco.uscg.mil".

Oops, full URL:

https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organiz...tation-Center/

[Chuck34]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Wow, I just did a Google search on "NVDC" (the USCG's National Vessel Documentation Center...the official way to handle vessel docummentation)...about half a dozen other web sites showed up first, several with ".us" domain names, and all styled to look very much like the real NVDC's web page.

Note that the actual NVDC domain name is "www.dco.uscg.mil".

Thanks for bringing this back up as a reminder.
Although, I think the scam is starting to dry up as the CG no longer lists owners names and addresses. All they have to go on now is names and addresses already in their database. No new chumps (clients) to enlist for their over-priced services.

[Chuck34]

Just bringing this subject back to the top as a reminder...the REAL CG Documentation office only charges $26 to renew.
Don't fall for someone charging $75. Tell your friends as not everyone follows boating websites.

[Rubicon King]

Originally Posted by Chuck34

Just bringing this subject back to the top as a reminder...the REAL CG Documentation office only charges $26 to renew.
Don't fall for someone charging $75. Tell your friends as not everyone follows boating websites.

Thanks for getting this out there again, unfortunately a bit too late for me. I was obviously duped paid 75 bucks to register for 2 more years. Argh. I guess someone really needed that extra 49 bucks...

[Chuck34]

Originally Posted by Rubicon King

Thanks for getting this out there again, unfortunately a bit too late for me. I was obviously duped paid 75 bucks to register for 2 more years. Argh. I guess someone really needed that extra 49 bucks...

Sorry they got you. Got me about 3-4 years ago.
I've made it my mission to alert as many people as possible. Eventually this cash cow will dry up.

[Dsanduril]

Originally Posted by Chuck34

Just bringing this subject back to the top as a reminder...the REAL CG Documentation office only charges $26 to renew.
Don't fall for someone charging $75. Tell your friends as not everyone follows boating websites.

Originally Posted by Rubicon King

Thanks for getting this out there again, unfortunately a bit too late for me. I was obviously duped paid 75 bucks to register for 2 more years. Argh. I guess someone really needed that extra 49 bucks...

Note, the USCG charges $26 per year. With a recreational CoD you can now pay for up to 5 years. So, if you got 2 years for $75 you're only out $23

Beginning January next year (unless they change things) you will only be able to get a 5-year CoD for $130, the USCG is going away from one-year certificates for recreational boats.

Beginning January 1, 2019, recreational (endorsed with Recreation ONLY) Certificate of Documentation (COD) holders may elect to extend the expiration date of renewed CODs for an additional 2-5 years during the implementation period designated as January 1, 2019- December 31, 2021.*

Beginning January 1, 2022, recreational (endorsed with Recreation ONLY) CODs will be issued for a validity period of 5 years at a cost of $130.00.
https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/D...-28-130935-400

[Chuck34]

Originally Posted by Dsanduril

Note, the USCG charges $26 per year. With a recreational CoD you can now pay for up to 5 years. So, if you got 2 years for $75 you're only out $23

Beginning January next year (unless they change things) you will only be able to get a 5-year CoD for $130, the USCG is going away from one-year certificates for recreational boats.

Did not know that. Thanks for letting us know.

[boatman61]

Be wary about things like ESTA's as well, a Portuguese friend went on line to arrange one for his mother and Google threw up a load of agencies on the first page..
He paid $84 to them for arranging her ESTA to the US, it only costs $14 if you do it yourself on the official Homeland Security site..
There's a lot of 'scammers' out there that Google will feed you too.. Be Aware.

[Scott Berg]

Originally Posted by Chuck34

Did not know that. Thanks for letting us know.

I think we beat that back; yes, the USCG was trying to only offer 5yr but after a lot of lobbying (thank you Congressman Peter DeFazio I think we're back to 1-5 years at the option of the boater! Details to follow

[AKA-None]

So what happens if it expires?

[Cyrus Safdari]

It is very much a scam unless they explicitly and clearly say you don't have to use their services, instead they do everything possible to look official as if you have to use their svc.
They take your money under false pretense = scam. frankly that's things like this are legal, or life insurance for babies and other scams, is embarassing

[Chuck34]

Originally Posted by AKA-None

So what happens if it expires?

Go to the CG website and check out their FAQ's

https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organiz...enter/New-FAQ/

[Chuck34]

Older thread but needs to be brought back up to the top of the page as a reminder. Only pay $26 to the real Coast Guard doc office to renew your documentation

[Chuck34]

Originally Posted by Scott Berg

I think we beat that back; yes, the USCG was trying to only offer 5yr but after a lot of lobbying (thank you Congressman Peter DeFazio I think we're back to 1-5 years at the option of the boater! Details to follow

It’s official…new regs were put in place 12/29. Recreational boats can renew for 1 - 5 years. 1 year only for commercial.

[Chuck34]

Just got my renewal reminder letter from one of the scammers, National documentation Portal. The letter clearly states that 5 year renewal is mandatory. As mentioned above, this is wrong as the Coast Guard offers 1-5 year renewal.