Scammers will never cease trying to give the Search Engine Optimization industry a bad name. One of my clients received a ‘bill’ from an SEO firm called Domain Listing Services claiming annual website submission services. The charges are $185 for 5 years.

How many unfortunate people have been defrauded from scams like this? Domain Listing Services may as well be a Nigerian 419 scam. I love how a service line item claims ‘Optimized title and meta tags’. How can this be done without website ftp access?

Here are some tips to spot frauds:

• Legitimate companies always use a personal email address, not a free service from hotmail.com
• A real SEO firm will have its own domain name
• Professional SEO’s have references, reports and certifications
• Search engine submission is not a service that will help you. Only editing page content and acquiring links will get you better placement.

SEO Email Solicitation Below:

From: Domain Services [mailto:domainnst654@hotmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, July 13, 2008 3:25 PM
To: Client
Subject: Domain Notification: This is your Final Notice of Domain Listing
Importance: High

DOMAIN LISTING SERVICES
8171 Yonge St. Suite# 149
Thornhill, ON L3T 2C6
Canada
FINAL NOTICE
(Please make necessary changes)

ATT: client
ADMINISTRATIVE CONTACT
client
owner@site.com
123 main st
san francisco - ca 90130 - us,
,
www.site.com

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES:
Premium Package

ANNUAL WEBSITE SEARCH ENGINE SUBMISSION
FROM AUGUST 1,2008 THRU AUGUST 1,2018
OR
FROM AUGUST 1,2008 THRU AUGUST 1,2013

TOTAL

$295.00

$185.00

SUBSCRIPTION INCLUDES:

* Custom keyword research
* Optimized title and meta tags
* Submission to 900 search engines and directories
* safe follow-up re-submissions every 3 months
* Helpful professional support

THIS IS NOT A BILL. This is a solicitation. You are under no obligation to pay the amount(s) stated unless you accept this offer.
Domain Name

www.sites.com Amount

Requested Reply

July 14th,2008

THIS NOTICE IS A SOLICITATION AND A RECEIPT OF PAYMENT WILL CONFIRM YOUR ANNUAL SUBMISSION
*100% SATISFACTION IS GUARANTEED OR YOUR MONEY BACK
Please select the number of years you would like to signup for
[ ] 10 Years ………. $295 (Best Value, Most Recommended!)
[ ] 5 Years ………. $185

If you have other domains you may list them below (please send a separate check for each domain and write your domain name on the memo section of the check)
Other domain(s) __________________ , __________________ , __________________

Total $ _______

________________________________
Signature

________________________________
Date

Payment by Check or Money Order
Print and mail a copy of this order form along with a check or money order to the address listed below:
Domain Listing Services
8171 Yonge St. Suite# 149
Thornhill, ON L3T 2C6
Canada

Please do not forget to include a copy of this order form with your payment!

www.site.com

By accepting this offer, you agree not to hold DLC liable for any part. Note that THIS IS NOT A BILL. This is a solicitation.
You are under no obligation to pay the amounts stated unless you accept this offer. The information in this letter contains confidential and/or legally privileged information from the notification processing department of the Domain Listing Services Inc.
This information is intended only for the use of the individual(s) named above. Email domainlistingservices@hotmail.com if you do not want to receive further updates from DLC.
If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents for this letter is strictly prohibited.

* 100% satisfaction guaranteed, you may request a refund within 30 days if your are not satisfied with our services.