NetWorking 04
Coming up – the most looked-forward-to online conference in Australia – NW04. Presenting with Frankie Forsyth on ‘free and open source software’ on Friday the 19th November.
Were you touched by the DNA swindle?
".. Justice Finkelstein found that various domain name notices sent by Domain Names Australia (DNA) in July and September 2003 were, as alleged by auDA, misleading and deceptive."
Our accountant said to me one day, "oh, i paid that invoice for our web something".
Wait a minute, our account shouldn’t be due for another three months – show me the invoice?
Turns out K. spent money (and way too much) on a fraudulent ‘invoice’ – which was actually an ‘offer’ for a new domain name – disguised as a renewal for an existing one.
i rang the company and said, "Look there’s been a bona fide mistake, our accountant thought you were our existing web hosts – could we cancel please." In reply i had plenty of well-rehearsed stone-walling, about how the money had already been spent, the domain name secured etc. By the way i retorted, "Your offer seems deliberately designed to deceive".
And now the AuDA has taken them to court in a class action on our behalf – and won! The judge agreed with me – deliberate deception.