Power Kite Forum

questionable web site

acampbell - 12-8-2009 at 11:54 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Power Kite Guy

Just for fun I tried this with a kayak last weekend. Was really a blast. Have to use it some more to get it down but got some serious speed with it. :singing:

http://www.powerkitesdirect.com/hq-hydra-trainer-kite/


Anybody know these guys? It's from another post
I checked out their website and found them using copyrighted original artwork from my website (without permission).

They are hiding their location and identity behind a "private registration" at 1and1.com, their internet host. The phone number is an unpublished number in Plano, TX

By displaying the "Verisign Secured" logo, they are claiming to have an SSL Certificate, but it is just a cut and paste of the logo and not and active link as it would be if legit.

Same thing with he Better Business Bureau logo. They do not show up in a search on the BBB website as a member.

They have been reported to both organizations.

Just hate to see someone acting as a member of this community and pulling a scam. My "competitors" are my friends but this just bites.

BeamerBob - 12-8-2009 at 12:22 PM

All this adds up to people that wouldn't answer the phone if you had a problem. If they misrepresent that much, they can't be all that legit. They don't sound like the dealers represented here on the forum.

Edit: This is his email address on his profile here, but you could make that anything you wanted.

hunterhewett@gmail.com

DAKITEZ - 12-8-2009 at 02:10 PM

Have you mentioned this to Tim since they are mainly selling HQ products.

awindofchange - 12-8-2009 at 03:06 PM

I would be cautious of any website that does not have a properly issued SSL certificate - and especially of any website that uses a cut-n-paste fake seal. EVERY AUTHORIZED SSL seal will be clickable - and will display the certificate information and the website address that the certificate is issued for! A fake seal can only mean one of two things: Either they are trying to trick people into giving them their credit card information through a scam (which is not secure anyways) - or they don't have the knowledge / ability to offer a secure website to purchase through and any information transmitted over the internet is not secure and can be hijacked by pretty much anyone with very limited hacking ability. Not only that but if their website is not secure then you can pretty much bet that their server and personal computers are not secure either - and it will only be a matter of time before someone hacks into their system (business or home) and steals all of your personal and credit card info! Scary stuff!!!

Either way this website (obviously it is not a real business as they aren't even listed with the state of TX as having a business license) are not legitimate business people.

Anyone who doesn't already know, always check EVERY website you are purchasing from and make sure the checkout pages are 100% secure by a trusted known authority before giving out your credit card information or you are just asking to lose your money by either a scam or identity theft. You can check two different ways. One is to check the website address of the page you are on and make sure it starts with HTTPS:// If it doesn't have the "S" after HTTP then the site is not secure. Another way is to check the "Lock" symbol on the bottom of your browser, clicking the "Lock" symbol will bring up the security information about the page. No lock, NOT SECURE! Both of these things should be present before giving any of your personal information. If they are not present then you are asking for problems if you decide to purchase from that particular site!!

Security certificates are not that expensive to obtain and are very easy to implement into a website. Also, Security certificates are ONLY ISSUED TO AUTHENTICATED BUSINESSES OR ORGANIZATIONS!! Obviously you must be legit to get one so if a website doesn't have one or can't obtain one then I would NOT give them my personal info period!!!

Hope that helps.

kitejumper - 13-8-2009 at 11:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by awindofchange
I would be cautious of any website that does not have a properly issued SSL certificate - and especially of any website that uses a cut-n-paste fake seal. EVERY AUTHORIZED SSL seal will be clickable - and will display the certificate information and the website address that the certificate is issued for! A fake seal can only mean one of two things: Either they are trying to trick people into giving them their credit card information through a scam (which is not secure anyways) - or they don't have the knowledge / ability to offer a secure website to purchase through and any information transmitted over the internet is not secure and can be hijacked by pretty much anyone with very limited hacking ability. Not only that but if their website is not secure then you can pretty much bet that their server and personal computers are not secure either - and it will only be a matter of time before someone hacks into their system (business or home) and steals all of your personal and credit card info! Scary stuff!!!

Either way this website (obviously it is not a real business as they aren't even listed with the state of TX as having a business license) are not legitimate business people.

Anyone who doesn't already know, always check EVERY website you are purchasing from and make sure the checkout pages are 100% secure by a trusted known authority before giving out your credit card information or you are just asking to lose your money by either a scam or identity theft. You can check two different ways. One is to check the website address of the page you are on and make sure it starts with HTTPS:// If it doesn't have the "S" after HTTP then the site is not secure. Another way is to check the "Lock" symbol on the bottom of your browser, clicking the "Lock" symbol will bring up the security information about the page. No lock, NOT SECURE! Both of these things should be present before giving any of your personal information. If they are not present then you are asking for problems if you decide to purchase from that particular site!!

Security certificates are not that expensive to obtain and are very easy to implement into a website. Also, Security certificates are ONLY ISSUED TO AUTHENTICATED BUSINESSES OR ORGANIZATIONS!! Obviously you must be legit to get one so if a website doesn't have one or can't obtain one then I would NOT give them my personal info period!!!

Hope that helps.
thanks,thats good stuff to know

lynx69 - 13-8-2009 at 12:40 PM

Ditto on the thanks, smells fishy for sure.:flaming:

ripsessionkites - 13-8-2009 at 01:45 PM

lol ... the guy is on this forum

kitejumper - 13-8-2009 at 02:36 PM

whats his nickname?

BeamerBob - 13-8-2009 at 05:16 PM

Power Kite Guy or something close to that.

WIllardTheGrey - 14-8-2009 at 12:25 AM

His profile