Business mis-represented online, how to trace?

Owen

Hi all,

Firstly, if this is the wrong forum, please feel free to move it.

One of the companies I work for places ads on a classifieds website. Over the past few days someone has been putting ads online, claiming to be us, with profanities, and general slanderous comments about the business. The ads have now been removed at my request, but in order for the hosting website to tell me who posted these details, I must go to the Gardaí and file a complaint.

TBH, I'd prefer not to do this, but my immediate manager is determined to find out where these ads came from.

Has anyone completed this process before, and how successful was it? Were the Gardaí technically able to deal with it? I've visions of going to the local station and being met by blank stares.

Thanks in advance

Victor

A better step might be to go to a solicitor. Ultimately, the hosting website aren't going to hand over much without a court order.

maidhc

Victor wrote: »

Ultimately, the hosting website aren't going to hand over much without a court order.

Unfortunately that is about the size of it.

Owen

They've already said they will comply with a Garda request, so I've been to the Gards today, and have to make a formal statement tomorrow. Finger's crossed!

Tom Young

There is Criminal Legislation in relation to such activity but the report at the local Garda station will need action by the force. Make sure you pursue it.

I too would see a solicitor as we can't give legal advice here at all, per the forum charter.

DublinWriter

To be honest Ned, you'd be best off ensuring that the website was aware of the situation and that they monitored future IP addresses from people fraudulently representing themselves as your company.

No offense, but even if your complaint does make it out of the local station, I'm sure the Garda CCIU & GBFI sections have a lot more serious work to do than track down your mystery man.

Even if you get the IP and/or identity of the poster, he might not be what is called in solicitor-speak, a 'mark', i.e. someone worth perusing.

Again, I'd really chalk-this one up and make sure all legit parties were aware of the situation and what happened.

Owen

The issue for us, is that this particular website allows for anyone to pretend they are anyone else, there is no verification of either eMail address, or phone number, so this can recur at any stage, which is why if we can identify the person, and politely ask them to stop, it would be much better off for all.

For me, personally, I wish I hadn't been asked to do this. I understand it will most likely finish up being a dead end, and a waste of resources, but such is the whim of management.

Thanks to all for voicing concerns, it's good to hear other, more knowledable perspectives.