As you know, there are always those seeking to make a few bucks off those of us that like to trust people and believe what they say. Today, I (again) received several emails from familydiscovery.com, using the return email address of "[email protected]". One of their shameless tactics is using the terrible tragedy of September 11th as a ploy to show their sincerity and thereby get members. Though I've had no personal experience with them, there's substantial evidence that http://familydiscovery.com is a scam (fraud). (They also use the cover name "GENTRUTH".) ** (I'm not saying they are unscrupulous, but it sure looks like it. I'm offering the following information to you so you can check it out!) check out: ================================================================ http://www.ancestordetective.com/watchdog.htm "Based on BBB files, this company has an unsatisfactory record with the Bureau due to unanswered complaint(s)." ================================================================ http://blacksheep.rootsweb.com/shame.html "At $50 a pop you can see what is already FREELY available on the internet" ================================================================ http://blacksheep.rootsweb.com/promises.htm#familydiscovery "There are two other sites run by the same people as familydiscovery.com. They are:" * http://www.genseekers.com/ * www.genealogy-express.com/ ================================================================ http://www.ancestry.com/library/view/columns/eastman/4251.asp "The prevalent offender today seems to be FamilyDiscovery.com. This company owns several other Web sites as well. They don�t seem to have many satisfied customers. The genealogy message boards and newsgroups are full of reports from people who feel they have been ripped off by FamilyDiscovery.com and its affiliated sites." ================================================================ http://helpdesk.rootsweb.com/announce.html#familydiscovery " Many of our readers have expressed concern, outrage, and frustration at the FamilyDiscovery.com site. MyFamily.com, including RootsWeb and Ancestry, is currently investigating these concerns, and will respond as appropriate under current Fair Use Copyright and Truth in Advertising laws..." ================================================================ http://www.gensuck.com/FEATURES/familydiscovery/ "FamilyDiscovery.com has been drawing the ire of many disappointed consumers, with complaints of providing dismal service, falsifying claims, and selling access to their site without providing passwords. Is FamilyDiscovery.com walking away with your money?" ================================================================ http://hometown.aol.com/vikkigray/parkcensus.htm "...here are the names, addresses and phone of the people who defrauded you and are stealing my data:" ================================================================ I would strongly suggest everyone check out not only the rootsweb blacksheep URL, but Cyndislist's myth and fraud page: http://blacksheep.rootsweb.com/promises.htm http://www.cyndislist.com/myths.htm#Consumer .................................... Tom Cloud <[email protected]>