Theous Corporation ripoff, SCAM, Copyright Infringment, BUYER Beware! Los Angeles California Internet
After doing a Google search, I found theous logo creation's service. According to a website, they were the "top ranked" logo design firm. This was just the beginning of my problems...
I saw a button on their website also for being a top Ranked BBB company. I made a purchase for the $65 package. A few days later, an email...4 days after that another email stating the company is having problems...another few days goes by and yet another email;this time addresses to almost 50 other people (all customers) addressingthe same company problems.
It seems, this was Theous's biggest mistake yet...They gave each of those customers who received the email to realize that WE WERE ALL being ripped off. I received numerous reply all emails from other customers having the same problems I was:
-unresponsive customer service messages through email/phone
-No logo after two weeks with the advertised 72 hour turn-around.
After doing more research into Theous Corporation I have found some very intriguing information. A Whois search revealed their website's hosting company is Infinology Corp and that all of Theous's contact info is private. Infinology Corp is ironically the same company who shows on my credit card statement for my Theous charge. I am not neccessarily sure if this means they are affiliated with Theous though. I tried calling the only advertised phone number on their site to hear yet again, "Please leave a voicemail and we will get back to you."
In addition to the whois search, it is evident that Theous has committed blatant copyright infringment. ON their logo design page, there are links to a fake BBB report which is ironically hosted on their site. (it deceives you by listing their domains ip address in the url instead of the actual domain name). This fake report gives the company an "A" rating, while a real search through BBB.org clearly show Theous's true "F" rating.
At this point, I have already received a refund on my credit card. I have also been in contact with Network Solutions (domain registrar) to notify them of the fraud Theous is commmitting. I have filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. My business associate has also notified the Better Business Bureau of Theous's blatant copyright infringment so they too can take the necessary action.
Clearly, Theous Corporation and whomever they are affiliated with are scammers. I wish I knew all of this before paying them, but this has been a very education process. The scam Theous is committing seems pretty intricate and it is important for everyone to know this. If you have been a target of Theous scam, I reccommend you file a complaint with the FTC. I am sure that if enough people complain, the FTC will respond. I would be happy to provide any additional information. Buyers Beware!!
Billy
Freehold, New Jersey
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Billy
Freehold,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
FTC Response
#2Author of original report
Mon, October 02, 2006
This is the response I received from the FTC. It validates what I said before about the need for multiple complaints. I really do encourage every victim of Theous fraud to follow suit and file an FTC complaint.
"Dear $#%$#%:
Thank you for recent correspondence. The Federal Trade Commission acts in the public interest to stop business practices that violate the laws it enforces. Letters from consumers and businesses are very important to the work of the Commission. They are often the first indication of a problem in the marketplace and may provide the initial evidence to begin an investigation. The Commission does not resolve individual complaints. The Commission can, however, act when it sees a pattern of possible violations developing.
The information you have provided will be recorded in our complaint retention system. This computerized system enables us to identify questionable business practices that are generating numerous complaints and may be in violation of the law.
Thank you for providing information that may be used to develop or support Commission enforcement initiatives.
Sincerely Yours,
Consumer Response Center