scratchycat
12-06-2011, 01:38 PM
This always did seem suspicious to me and now I know why.
A small business operating in a large metropolitan area receives an AWARD with their company name and such honor received makes a person wonder just what. Okay, here are the facts as I have discovered by searching online.
COUNTRYVALUES65.COM (http://www.countryvalues65.com)
Here is a picture of the award:
460
WOW!! Impressive, right!! Hold on... Here is the link to website giving (?) these awards:
Home (http://www.uscaaward.com/DefaultUsca.aspx?)
notice the copyright at bottom of page...
Domain Name: USCAAWARD.COM
Registrar: MONIKER
Registrant [2061664]:
Kelly McCartney
228 Park Ave. S. Suite 22935
New York
NY
10006
US
Administrative Contact [2061664]:
Kelly McCartney
228 Park Ave. S. Suite 22935
New York
NY
10006
US
Phone: +1.6463500843
Billing Contact [2061664]:
Kelly McCartney
228 Park Ave. S. Suite 22935
New York
NY
10006
US
Phone: +1.6463500843
Technical Contact [2061664]:
Kelly McCartney
228 Park Ave. S. Suite 22935
New York
NY
10006
US
Phone: +1.6463500843
Domain servers in listed order:
NS1.DNSPARK.NET
NS2.DNSPARK.NET
NS3.DNSPARK.NET
NS4.DNSPARK.NET
NS5.DNSPARK.NET
Record created on: 2009-10-18 15:15:28.0
Database last updated on: 2009-10-18 15:25:28.72
Domain Expires on: 2010-10-18 15:15:29.0
Let's have a look at what Google brought up about Miss Kelly:
.WE WON! WE WON! Wait, WHAT?!?!?
Written by Kelli Camp on June 10, 2010 — 3 Comments Share0diggs
diggWe often get clients calling us and saying, “Hey, we got this email saying we won. Is this for real?” Well, CDKWeb is not immune. Although we HAVE been voted the Best Web Design Firm in St. Louis (not in St. Charles), this email is, unfortunately, definitely spam. Don’t be fooled by the fake name, COOL image (your company name is already on the award!) and official sounding lingo!
I am pleased to announce that CDKWEB.COM has been selected for the 2010 Best of St. Charles Award in the Web Site Design Service category by the US Commerce
In recognition of your achievement, a 2010 Best of St. Charles Award has been designed for display at your place of business. You may arrange to have your award sent directly to CDKWEB.COM by following the simple steps on the 2010 Best of St. Charles Award order form. Simply copy and paste this link into your browser to receive your award:
http://stcharles.uscommassoc.com/XXX
Each year, the US Commerce Association (USCA) identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
Also, a copy of the press release publicizing the selection of CDKWEB.COM has been posted on our website. The USCA hereby grants CDKWEB.COM a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, distribute, and display this press release in any media formats and through any media channels.
An Award Code has been assigned to your company that can be used on our website for quick access to your award information and press release.
Your
Award Code is: XXX
Sincerely,
Kelly McCartney
Board Of Review
US Commerce Association
The intended recipient of this notification is the Marketing Director for CDKWEB.COM. If you have received this email in error please forward it to the intended recipient. If you do not wish to receive further advertisements from USCA, please mail a written request to: US Commerce Association, 225 Park Ave. S., Suite 22935, New York, NY 10003 or simply click to opt-out.
So, unless you want to PAY the $180 required to “win” your award, just delete this one! We at CDKWeb hope posting this helps to save someone some trouble down the line! And remember, if you are concerned that the email you received is legit, give us a call. We’re here to help!
http://www.thesproutshout.com/?p=71
The Responsible Marketing Blog
where commerce and conscience come together
.Why Responsible Marketing?
»
Responsible Marketing GroupsSuggest a topic or ideaWho is Outsource Marketing?About Patrick Byers
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Connect with Patrick ByersHave Patrick Byers speakSubscribe to RSS.You are here: Home > Awards for sale: Not a rewarding experience
Awards for sale: Not a rewarding experience
By Patrick Byers on July 22, 2008 in deceptive marketing, no trust
The Ballard Agency has won plenty of awards in their 45 year history, but this isn’t one they were interested in:
Chris Ballard, President of the the Bellevue-based insurance brokerage was surprised his company was selected. He’d never even heard of the U.S. Local Business Association.
Here’s the email he received, with hyperlinks removed:
I am pleased to announce that Ballard Agency has been selected for the 2008 Best of Bellevue Award in the Insurance category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA).
In recognition of your achievement, a 2008 Best of Bellevue Award plaque has been designed for display at your place of business. You may arrange to have your award sent directly to Ballard Agency by following the simple steps on the 2008 Best of Bellevue Award order form.
The USLBA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
Also, a copy of the press release publicizing the selection of Ballard Agency is posted on the USLBA website. USLBA hereby grants Ballard Agency a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, distribute, and display this press release in any media formats and through any media channels.
In order to provide you with the best possible service, you have been assigned an award code that can be used on our website for quick access to your award information and press release. If you have any questions or comments, please include this code with your correspondence.
Sincerely,
Ashley Carter
Selection Committee Chair
U.S. Local Business Association
After doing a little sleuthing, the folks at the Ballard Agency realized it was a marketing scheme to sell overpriced plaques.
Chris didn’t appreciate having his time wasted, but took the time to share it with me, and now you.
Here’s a marketing tactic I hate: Winning fake awards or being “nominated for a “who’s Who” list, and all you have to do is pay for $100 award!
Clearly, this is a deceptive marketing tactic in the same category as the phony domain name and Yellow Pages bills that are sent in hopes your A/P department will pay them in error.
“The only way they’d ever get our business is on accident,” says Ballard.
And that, my Responsible Marketing friends, is no way to grow a business.
So, have you or ever been targeted for one of these “faux-wards?”
Comment below to share your experience.
UPDATE: Let’s fight vanity scams together is a follow-up to this post.
Subscribe to this feed.
. . .
Full disclosure: Outsource Marketing is a Ballard Agency client.
Awards for sale: Not a rewarding experience | The Responsible Marketing Blog (http://responsiblemarketing.com/blog/2008/07/22/awards-for-sale-not-a-rewarding-experience)
Now where is that link to report scam??!!!!
A small business operating in a large metropolitan area receives an AWARD with their company name and such honor received makes a person wonder just what. Okay, here are the facts as I have discovered by searching online.
COUNTRYVALUES65.COM (http://www.countryvalues65.com)
Here is a picture of the award:
460
WOW!! Impressive, right!! Hold on... Here is the link to website giving (?) these awards:
Home (http://www.uscaaward.com/DefaultUsca.aspx?)
notice the copyright at bottom of page...
Domain Name: USCAAWARD.COM
Registrar: MONIKER
Registrant [2061664]:
Kelly McCartney
228 Park Ave. S. Suite 22935
New York
NY
10006
US
Administrative Contact [2061664]:
Kelly McCartney
228 Park Ave. S. Suite 22935
New York
NY
10006
US
Phone: +1.6463500843
Billing Contact [2061664]:
Kelly McCartney
228 Park Ave. S. Suite 22935
New York
NY
10006
US
Phone: +1.6463500843
Technical Contact [2061664]:
Kelly McCartney
228 Park Ave. S. Suite 22935
New York
NY
10006
US
Phone: +1.6463500843
Domain servers in listed order:
NS1.DNSPARK.NET
NS2.DNSPARK.NET
NS3.DNSPARK.NET
NS4.DNSPARK.NET
NS5.DNSPARK.NET
Record created on: 2009-10-18 15:15:28.0
Database last updated on: 2009-10-18 15:25:28.72
Domain Expires on: 2010-10-18 15:15:29.0
Let's have a look at what Google brought up about Miss Kelly:
.WE WON! WE WON! Wait, WHAT?!?!?
Written by Kelli Camp on June 10, 2010 — 3 Comments Share0diggs
diggWe often get clients calling us and saying, “Hey, we got this email saying we won. Is this for real?” Well, CDKWeb is not immune. Although we HAVE been voted the Best Web Design Firm in St. Louis (not in St. Charles), this email is, unfortunately, definitely spam. Don’t be fooled by the fake name, COOL image (your company name is already on the award!) and official sounding lingo!
I am pleased to announce that CDKWEB.COM has been selected for the 2010 Best of St. Charles Award in the Web Site Design Service category by the US Commerce
In recognition of your achievement, a 2010 Best of St. Charles Award has been designed for display at your place of business. You may arrange to have your award sent directly to CDKWEB.COM by following the simple steps on the 2010 Best of St. Charles Award order form. Simply copy and paste this link into your browser to receive your award:
http://stcharles.uscommassoc.com/XXX
Each year, the US Commerce Association (USCA) identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
Also, a copy of the press release publicizing the selection of CDKWEB.COM has been posted on our website. The USCA hereby grants CDKWEB.COM a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, distribute, and display this press release in any media formats and through any media channels.
An Award Code has been assigned to your company that can be used on our website for quick access to your award information and press release.
Your
Award Code is: XXX
Sincerely,
Kelly McCartney
Board Of Review
US Commerce Association
The intended recipient of this notification is the Marketing Director for CDKWEB.COM. If you have received this email in error please forward it to the intended recipient. If you do not wish to receive further advertisements from USCA, please mail a written request to: US Commerce Association, 225 Park Ave. S., Suite 22935, New York, NY 10003 or simply click to opt-out.
So, unless you want to PAY the $180 required to “win” your award, just delete this one! We at CDKWeb hope posting this helps to save someone some trouble down the line! And remember, if you are concerned that the email you received is legit, give us a call. We’re here to help!
http://www.thesproutshout.com/?p=71
The Responsible Marketing Blog
where commerce and conscience come together
.Why Responsible Marketing?
»
Responsible Marketing GroupsSuggest a topic or ideaWho is Outsource Marketing?About Patrick Byers
»
Connect with Patrick ByersHave Patrick Byers speakSubscribe to RSS.You are here: Home > Awards for sale: Not a rewarding experience
Awards for sale: Not a rewarding experience
By Patrick Byers on July 22, 2008 in deceptive marketing, no trust
The Ballard Agency has won plenty of awards in their 45 year history, but this isn’t one they were interested in:
Chris Ballard, President of the the Bellevue-based insurance brokerage was surprised his company was selected. He’d never even heard of the U.S. Local Business Association.
Here’s the email he received, with hyperlinks removed:
I am pleased to announce that Ballard Agency has been selected for the 2008 Best of Bellevue Award in the Insurance category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA).
In recognition of your achievement, a 2008 Best of Bellevue Award plaque has been designed for display at your place of business. You may arrange to have your award sent directly to Ballard Agency by following the simple steps on the 2008 Best of Bellevue Award order form.
The USLBA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
Also, a copy of the press release publicizing the selection of Ballard Agency is posted on the USLBA website. USLBA hereby grants Ballard Agency a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, distribute, and display this press release in any media formats and through any media channels.
In order to provide you with the best possible service, you have been assigned an award code that can be used on our website for quick access to your award information and press release. If you have any questions or comments, please include this code with your correspondence.
Sincerely,
Ashley Carter
Selection Committee Chair
U.S. Local Business Association
After doing a little sleuthing, the folks at the Ballard Agency realized it was a marketing scheme to sell overpriced plaques.
Chris didn’t appreciate having his time wasted, but took the time to share it with me, and now you.
Here’s a marketing tactic I hate: Winning fake awards or being “nominated for a “who’s Who” list, and all you have to do is pay for $100 award!
Clearly, this is a deceptive marketing tactic in the same category as the phony domain name and Yellow Pages bills that are sent in hopes your A/P department will pay them in error.
“The only way they’d ever get our business is on accident,” says Ballard.
And that, my Responsible Marketing friends, is no way to grow a business.
So, have you or ever been targeted for one of these “faux-wards?”
Comment below to share your experience.
UPDATE: Let’s fight vanity scams together is a follow-up to this post.
Subscribe to this feed.
. . .
Full disclosure: Outsource Marketing is a Ballard Agency client.
Awards for sale: Not a rewarding experience | The Responsible Marketing Blog (http://responsiblemarketing.com/blog/2008/07/22/awards-for-sale-not-a-rewarding-experience)
Now where is that link to report scam??!!!!