Someone is stealing my stuff!

[Former_Member]

I googled my products to see where I am online....low and behold I found my stuff being "sold" on a false webiste! I tried called the company but the inbox was full.....go figure. I am so livid right now! What can I do to remove my information from their site?? I see some other handmade looking items as well, so you may want to check the site and see if yours are being hacked as well.
http://www.truehomecomfort.com/p/French-Press-Cozy-Cover-Insulated-Blue-Teal-Diamonds-Handmade-Gift-...

[StuckOnSilver]

I am so sorry this happened to you!! Your work is so sweet by the way.

All I can suggest is that you contact Etsy right away. Good luck!

[Former_Member]

Thanks Bev! I will contact them and see what they can do.

[auralightco]

Did they purchase those items from you or is it the design?

[auralightco]

Sorry this is happening :(

[Former_Member]

Aga,
No they didn't purchase anything. They literally took my pictures and descriptions and put it up as though they are selling them. They are offering them to customers in quantities up to 20, which I only make 2-3 at a time. I also saw another Etsy members stuff up there too, which I notified her about.

[JGarloffDesign]

Hi Elizabeth,

Bummer about seeing your stuff on another site! My best goes out to you!

Cheers,
John

[MariasWorkshop]

That is truly disgraceful. I checked the site and I think I know the other Etsy shop is affected because the item just popped up and I recognized it.

I do not know how their scam works, but from what I read, it appears that they show photos (and descriptions) of nice pieces, which are non-existent on their site, and then, when people "buy" the items, their shop just disappears. They stole your photos and descriptions (and others) to scam the unsuspecting public.

I did some searching and found this information. Perhaps you would like to contact these agencies and find out what can be done to stop this nonsense:

http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0020-shopping-online

How to Report Online Shopping Fraud
If you have problems during a transaction, try to work them out directly with the seller, buyer, or site operator. If that doesn't work, file a complaint with:
• the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov/complaint
• your state Attorney General, using contact information at naag.org (http://www.naag.org/current-attorneys-general.php)
• your county or state consumer protection agency. Check the blue pages of the phone book under county and state government, or visit consumeraction.gov and look under "Where to File a Complaint."
• the Better Business Bureau

[GreenAcornKitchen]

Every single item I sell (with my sales copy) is on that site for $6 more than I charge. They can't duplicate my products, they must plan to just take orders and not fill them.
Thanks for the heads up.

[GreenAcornKitchen]

BTW it would appear that all my products are copied from my store on Amazon Handmade. I have the same items on Etsy but titles and descriptions are different.

[GreenAcornKitchen]

truehomecomfort.com registry whois
Updated 1 second ago - Refresh
Domain Name: TRUEHOMECOMFORT.COM
Registrar: GODADDY.COM, LLC
Sponsoring Registrar IANA ID: 146
Whois Server: whois.godaddy.com
Referral URL: http://registrar.godaddy.com
Name Server: NS1.TRUEHOMECOMFORT.COM
Name Server: NS2.TRUEHOMECOMFORT.COM
Status: clientDeleteProhibited http://www.icann.org/epp#clientDeleteProhibited
Status: clientRenewProhibited http://www.icann.org/epp#clientRenewProhibited
Status: clientTransferProhibited http://www.icann.org/epp#clientTransferProhibited
Status: clientUpdateProhibited http://www.icann.org/epp#clientUpdateProhibited
Updated Date: 17-nov-2015
Creation Date: 16-nov-2011
Expiration Date: 16-nov-2016
truehomecomfort.com registrar whois
Updated 1 second ago
Domain Name: TRUEHOMECOMFORT.COM
Registry Domain ID: 1687505521_DOMAIN_COM-VRSN
Registrar WHOIS Server: whois.godaddy.com
Registrar URL: http://www.godaddy.com
Update Date: 2015-11-17T08:42:56Z
Creation Date: 2011-11-16T20:20:37Z
Registrar Registration Expiration Date: 2016-11-16T20:20:37Z
Registrar: GoDaddy.com, LLC
Registrar IANA ID: 146
Registrar Abuse Contact Email: @godaddy.com
Registrar Abuse Contact Phone: +1.4806242505
Domain Status: clientTransferProhibited http://www.icann.org/epp#clientTransferProhibited
Domain Status: clientUpdateProhibited http://www.icann.org/epp#clientUpdateProhibited
Domain Status: clientRenewProhibited http://www.icann.org/epp#clientRenewProhibited
Domain Status: clientDeleteProhibited http://www.icann.org/epp#clientDeleteProhibited
Registry Registrant ID:
Registrant Name: Domain Administrator
Registrant Organization: Delphinia Systems LLC
Registrant Street: 2000 town center dr.
Registrant Street: ste 1900
Registrant City: southfield
Registrant State/Province: Michigan
Registrant Postal Code: 48075
Registrant Country: US
Registrant Phone: +1.8006808242
Registrant Phone Ext:
Registrant Fax:
Registrant Fax Ext:
Registrant Email: @yahoo.com
Registry Admin ID:
Admin Name: Domain Administrator
Admin Organization: Delphinia Systems LLC
Admin Street: 2000 town center dr.
Admin Street: ste 1900
Admin City: southfield
Admin State/Province: Michigan
Admin Postal Code: 48075
Admin Country: US
Admin Phone: +1.8006808242
Admin Phone Ext:
Admin Fax:
Admin Fax Ext:
Admin Email: @yahoo.com
Registry Tech ID:
Tech Name: Domain Administrator
Tech Organization: Delphinia Systems LLC
Tech Street: 2000 town center dr.
Tech Street: ste 1900
Tech City: southfield
Tech State/Province: Michigan
Tech Postal Code: 48075
Tech Country: US
Tech Phone: +1.8006808242
Tech Phone Ext:
Tech Fax:
Tech Fax Ext:
Tech Email: @yahoo.com
Name Server: NS1.TRUEHOMECOMFORT.COM
Name Server: NS2.TRUEHOMECOMFORT.COM
DNSSEC: unsigned
URL of the ICANN WHOIS Data Problem Reporting System: http://wdprs.internic.net/
>>> Last update of WHOIS database: 2015-12-30T06:00:00Z <<<

[LeedsRadio]

I recommend you do a virus/malware sweep of your machine immediately.
I did a ping and got it's IP. Report of malware, C&C attack, etc. from that IP

[LeedsRadio]

Their server seems to be in Spain and they have US based dosarrest.com protecting them from DDos attacks.

[Former_Member]

Richard,
Thanks for suggesting that, it didn't even occur to me that this could be the problem.

[Former_Member]

If you go to the site's web host and submit a DMCA takedown notice, that might get some traction since they are hosting your copyrighted content illegally.

This would be over the head of the scammer, going directly to the company who is hosting their website(s):
http://www.dmca.com/FAQ/What-is-a-DMCA-Takedown

[Former_Member]

Well make sure you get pictures of what they stole. Pretty sure you can sue and to look at the bright side. they wouldn't have your stuff up there unless it was a really good idea (which it totally is and I'm going to buy one of those soon) and profitable. You could probably raise your prices and get wholesale customers worked out like they are. sucks that your stuff is getting stolen but if you play it right this could be your doorway to some serious etsy success.

[GrandesTreasures]

Very sad! ... Nice work!

[GrandesTreasures]

Faved your first page because I can! :)