Warning for malicious merchants

Where can you report them?

[Miklo]

No idea if this is the right place to put this message, otherwise please move it to a more appropriate one.

Does anybody know where you can report malicious merchants that commit fraud or offer products in an illegal way? I know there is the BBB, but these merchants are not from the States but from God knows where.

The first one is Spy Sheriff, who acts as a spyware removal software provider but in fact is spyware itself. It seems like they are recommended by Microsoft because you get a message in the bottom of your screen that you have been infected and that you need to download recommended software. This is SPYWARE. If you use this program, erase it from your computer immediately!

The second one is Faq Manager, who seems to be offering software and you will get nothing. They will not react to support queries, they just take your money and run. Luckily enough I was able to get my money back through their billing company who have been very helpful.

BE AWARE!

[edited by: lorax at 2:50 pm (utc) on Dec. 7, 2005]
[edit reason] removed URL [/edit]

[Corey Bryant]

They get anough complaints / chargebacks - that will do it. I found one website - ripoffreport.com that might be good to vent as well.

As far as Spy Sheriff being recommended by MS, I doubt it because they are working on their own spyware. It might have been a pop-up window that says you have been infected (more like an advertisement)

-Corey

[Miklo]

Hi Corey,

I was not trying to state that MS did recommend them, but the message appeared to be from them, that is the way they pursuade people to download the program and I have to say it really looked genuine.
A few days later I googled for the software as I was not able to visit their website and I was amazed by the results. Of course, I have asked for a refund and they confirmed that they will give it to me, but of course I will double check my statements to see if it has been debited back to my account.

Regarding the other merchant, I am planning to contact the real website. Maybe they can do something about it as it seems to be copyright infringement. I will also try rip off report.

Anyone else with suggestions?

[Barb]

That Spy Sheriff sounds suspiciously similar to WinFixer. *says a few choice words about THAT virus roaming around her computer*

Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to put up a warning page on your website(s) - help get the word out a bit?

[FalseDawn]

Yeah, winfixer is one of the more insidious pieces of software - not helped by the fact that all of the major vendors' tools are impotent to remove it.

It's actually a tojan, not a virus, as it doesn't replicate, but it's a PITA to remove.