A number of Amateur Radio related items have crossed my
computer screen lately making themselves look inviting, and as though they are
a part of a larger organization. It’s what the ad (email) didn’t say that drew
the skepticism out in me. Remember, it’s ALWAYS about the details.. If it boasts
that it’s going to be a bigger, better or more advanced thing than what I have
now, you owe it to yourself to check it out thoroughly before you waste your
time with it.. Please, please don’t trust anything that is sent to you
unsolicited. Be skeptical!! If it can’t be verified through other sources that it’s
legit, it isn’t.
Here’s just one such example.. I received an invitation
from a ham in Germany to join in on QRZCQ. Now I have to tell ya’ this email
looked like it may have come from someone acting on the behalf of QRZ. Trust
me, they weren’t!!
I followed the link in the email and discovered a website
that looks similar to what QRZ used to look like.. Now, you notice that I said
it looked similar. I figured that if it
really was a part of QRZ there would be something on the QRZ website explaining
about it. There was, here’s what I found..
“Lately several of our users have written us to complain
about unsolicited email (SPAM) that they have received from the site QRZCQ
asking if we had something to do with it.
The short answer is "NO", because QRZCQ isn't
related to QRZ in any way, except for one. The one thing they have in common
with us is the callsign data, which was lifted off the QRZ website without our
permission. They claim that someone "gave them the data" (it wasn't
hacked), and so therefore they feel entitled to use it. We have absolute,
irrefutable proof that the data they have originated from QRZ.
Please tell anyone who mentions QRZCQ that it is just
another copycat website who appropriated our name and our data in an attempt to
confuse people and siphon off some of our web traffic. If QRZCQ were located in
the United States, they would be quickly shut down by the courts and the
problems and SPAM that they proliferate would cease to exist.
And as always, I wish to express my sincere gratitude for
all those who visit and use the Real QRZ every day. It is users like you that
help to make QRZ the number one web site in all of amateur radio.
73 -fred
Fred Lloyd, AA7BQ
Publisher, QRZ.COM
If the offer you receive is making itself look like it’s
associated with a known larger company, look for that company’s logos on the
new site. Also, look for links from the company’s main site. If it’s something
that they are supporting, then there should be a link from their main site to
it. In the case of the ARRL for example, look for the very familiar League
Diamond, or links from the Great Lakes Division or Ohio Section to it. Do your
homework. If it’s legit it will be proud to display the proper logos and links.
Don’t trust anything that can’t be verified.
Like I tell the folks in the Ohio Section Cabinet.. “and hey… let’s be careful out there..” - Phil Esterhouse – Hill Street Blues
Just remember.. Have FUN… but be SAFE!!!
73,
Scott…
