Dear Mr. Mason:
We have had some similar problems on occasion. If I may, allow me to make a couple of suggestions.
- This is more than not funny, it is a waste of your time and resources. But you have recourse.
- Copyright your online resume, in whole and in part. Many such companies are offshore, so be sure to place the line ". All rights reserved." at the end of your copyright, which extends the U.S. protection to everywhere. (This is NOT the same as copyrighting the resume in several countries, but it is important for the next step.)
- Determine if you are paying for your access to internet where your online resume is posted.
- The ripoff company is now breaking 1 federal law (copyright) and several interstate banking laws (using resources that you are paying money for).
- If this ripoff company has left any address where you can WRITE to them (required in the US, usually in the find print at the bottom of the page), I repeat WRITE to them (must be in writing in most US states), write once, explain the circumstances briefly, ask them to stop immediately, and CARBON COPY THEIR STATE's Atourney General. Be sure the CC: notice shows on the letter you send the company. This often shuts them up in a millisecond.
- If that doesn't work (in many states they have 30 days to comply to such a request), do step 7.
- The biggest gun they are facing is federal charges for Internet Fraud, and this is a big threat to such companies. Now, if you have an FBI office nearby, give them a call. Of course, be polite, professional, etc. Ask to speak to an agent about internet fraud, have all the addresses (.com, street, IP (use a "whois" facility) and printed out examples of these bogus emails in front of you. When the agent and you then talk about the issue, and he realizes that he is talking to someone different than a consumer, but a professional who's time and money is being taken by this particular fraud, he will sit up and take notice, and can probably help you in a mater of days. Inform the bogus company of your conversation with the FBI IN WRITING. Being scared of getting shut down is apparently their biggest dread, not the fines, etc., and it is that that will usually get you off their list in the fastest way.
- If utterly necessary, the same information you gave the FBI can be forwarded to the nearest FEDERAL district attourney's office, again with a CC to the bogus company. This will do it.
But... Regrettably, at this point your address will likely be on all kinds of "for sale" lists of email contacts. You may have to pick a new internet ID. But wait to do this until you have dealt successfully with the bogus company, and your records have been removed from their list!
It is a terrible time consumer, I know. Be encouraged, though. Usually the very first letter with a CC to the attounry general in the state where they are incorporated will do it. You may well hear within 10 days or so. Wait one more week, change to a new ID, let the important people know about it, and hopefully it wont happen again.
By the way, to copyright you document, you can start by simply putting at the beginning of the document, in smaller type perhaps, that "All material herein contained is copyright 2008 by John Doe (insert your legal name). All rights reserved. [that includes in the copyright action at law for protection, so you don't have to get wordy]. International rights reserved."
Then you contact the U.S. Copyright office in D.C., and file a copy of the document with them and pay a very minor fee (the last time we did one it was under $10.) Instructions etc on the net.
I really do hope this helps. The magic words are WRITTEN COMUNICATION AND REQUEST FOR ACTION (necessary for legality most places) and CC THE ATTOURNEY GENERAL (that usually, at least in our case, has been necessary to bring the desired action, out of fear, or whatever, but it works).
My sincerest regards,
Tom Bellows, President TSB Engineering Corporation