If you need to remove a post from ScamGuard.com, whether it is for a claim of copyright infringement or online defamation, there is an easy route, and there is a hard route. Hopefully, you can successfully get the post removed without extensive legal trouble, but it depends on the type of situation, as always. Use a reputation management service to boost your reputation after and follow this guide while trying to remove a post.
What is Scamguard.com?
Scamguard.com is a website you can use to learn about businesses that are scamming people online. Anyone can make a report, and anyone can view those reports made. When you place a submission, the scam can pertain to any type of service, whether it was online or in-person. Some of the scams people report about on Scamguard.com are:
- Online retailers scamming people out of money by promising a product
- Technical support scams
- Work from home jobs that never send a paycheck
- Bank card scams
…and many others. They have a long list of scam categories, but you can submit whatever you feel is worth sharing.
This type of platform can be a useful tool for spreading the word about dangerous people and illegal practices happening in online businesses. Companies who scam people out of their money make a lot doing what they do, and sometimes all it takes is for one person to speak out to stop the scam altogether.
However, fake scam reports do happen. People illustrate an idea that a certain business or individual is scamming their clients in some way and make it seem like a huge deal, even though there is no actual scam happening. This false report can lead to the downfall of that business.
What is Online Defamation / Cyber Libel?
Fake scam reports do happen, and they are usually the cause of a business trying to take down their competitors. It is a sleazy way to do things, but it works for them. However, companies who get caught doing this can get sued and taken to a real court.
When a case happens from this type of situation – where a business intentionally creates a smear campaign against a competitor and causes them to lose their good reputation – it is called online defamation or cyber libel. Unfortunately, to catch someone on online defamation, there has to be proof that the information they spread was false and that your reputation was damaged as a result. Otherwise, without proof, there is not much else you can do legally regarding the false statements your competitor made.
ScamGuard has a Defamation Clause in their FAQs you can read that states their position on online defamation. They point out the fact that they discourage the posting of false information and will share user information when given a subpoena or court order. That statement is a good indicator that ScamGuard.com is cooperative.
Why is it Difficult to Remove Content from Scamguard.com?
It is always going to be difficult to remove content from posts on scam reporting sites. Since there is an openness to the site, and it allows people to circulate the word about fake companies quickly, it makes the site more vulnerable to counterfeit content. The owner of the website does not have to remove the content, especially if it does not involve them. Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act makes sure of this.
Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act
The original intention of the Communications Decency Act was to protect young internet users. However, the Act has grown over time, accommodating the changes in internet practices, and has turned into more about protecting internet hosts.
Someone who runs a website is under the protection of section 230 of the Communications Decency Act because the section highlights that no internet providers or hosts are liable for third-party posting.
If anything, section 230 has helped the internet grow and make people feel more comfortable about posting useful information online. However, it can also mean that a website does not care about false information spread because they will not get in trouble for it. They use this part of the CDA to defend their position and can require a court order to remove any posts. Websites that offer more straightforward methods for eliminating posts are easier to deal with.
Fair Use
When it comes to removing posts because of issues with copyright claims, the process is a bit less complicated. You would use a DMCA notice and follow the process for that. When someone posts content on a website, such as scamguard.com, they can use your copyrighted content if it falls under the Fair Use policy.
Content counts as Fair Use if the person using the content is doing so for positive reasons. People can use copyrighted content if they are providing commentary, news reporting, teaching lessons, or research. However, they cannot claim ownership of that content or use it poorly. It is always better to get permission to use copyrighted content.
If someone successfully claims Fair Use on a piece of content they took from you, they cannot get in trouble for it, unless the situation is complicated.
How to Use DMCA to Remove Copyright Content from Scamguard.com
A DMCA notice is what you would use to get rid of posts that violate copyright claims. Copyright infringement is a justifiable reason to get a post removed, and you should if someone tries to steal your content.
To enact a DMCA notice, you will need to send a written letter to a DMCA Designated Agent, who will handle getting the post removed from the website. You can do this only, but make sure that you provide every bit of information they need.
Visit the DMCA Designated Agent Directory to see what exactly should be in a notification of claimed infringement.
Some of the things you need to include are:
- Electronic signature
- Description of original content and a description of the material copying that copyrighted material
- Contact information
- Good faith belief statement
- Accuracy statement
How to Remove a Post on Scamguard.com
On scamguard.com, companies and individuals can respond to scams reported by ScamGuard users. If you want to do that, there is no need to take legal action straight away. ScamGuard allows you to submit a complaint to get scam posts resolved without legal intervention.
First, you must sign up for a free business account, and then you can then message ScamGuard to make a complaint about a scam post. Once there is a discussion and the consumer who posted the scam info agrees, they will then mark the post as Resolved, and it will not look as bad.
Even though ScamGuard offers these steps toward resolution of scam complaints, it does not always pull through, and that is when you should take legal action.
After resolving the matter and getting rid of some of the negative comments made about your business, you should seek help to build a positive online reputation. You can use an online reputation management service, like Reputation Rhino, to make sure your making the best impression online and when people search on Google.
