Huge Web Hosting Scam - WNY Servers, William Franklin

[Kaith Rustaz]

Short version:
We ordered a server and WU $100 on 11/16/04. Smelling something was up based on the excuses and lack of evidence in our server logs that a migration was in progress, we asked for a refund on 11/21/04. We have been told repeated that a refund was coming.

As of today, we have not received it and he has ceased responding to our emails as of 1/3/05. We have been in contact with several lawyers and will be forwarding them the information in this thread, and found at several other sites as well.

He tends to prefer to deal with people voice so there is no 'paper' trail. Since I don't believe I will ever see my refund (it's now over 40 days of his '30-day' policy), I have to add my voice to this.

Do NOT do business with him.

====
There is an extensive discussion on WHT, and the notices have been posted by several victims on other forums as well.

Threads are at:
http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showth...hreadid=349694
http://www.monster-isp.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=17754
http://www.idigforums.com/archives/2004/12/03/
http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20659
http://rustaz.com/bbs/index.php?showtopic=1466

[Adam228]

Well unless your motivated by morals and virtue, lawyer fees would out weigh the principal lost, so your best bet is to do credit card or paypal, as they are reversable.

Good Luck.

[happierr]

Some of the users that got scammed are in NY... You can file in small claims for less than $50

So it is worth it.

[Kaith Rustaz]

Ah, will have to look into that. Thanks.

Right now, I've been continuing to search. A number of posts on USENET by William have been replied to by someone outting him as a fraud. Additional links continue to turn up on the web as well. All I want is my promised refund.

[Kaith Rustaz]

Short version update:
After extensive back and forth, as well as filing complaints with the BBB, his local police, and the 3 major network affiliates here in WNY, William sent us a post-dated check. We waited until the day it was writen for (1/26/05) and attempted to cash it. It was rejected twice, the second time for insufficient funds. After being told via 3rd party that the check was "good", we tried again on the 27th, only to be told he had placed a stop payment on the check.

This is so painful its funny. Or is that so funny it's painful?

In the mean time, he has shut down or moved the **** of his web sites, disrupted his ISP clients for several days as he switched providers and all emails to him are bouncing.

So, the saga continues.

[wfranklin]

Ok Bob, you have been refunded in full, so what else do you have to complain about now?

Thanks,

William.

[Kaith Rustaz]

What else to complain about?
Well, outside the ungodly cold outside.....

The non stop lies, the fraud, the fact that you told me repeatedly that our refund was on the way and it wasn't, the fact that you issued us a post-dated check, then put a stop payment on that check, the fact that you are still in violation of your own TOS which stated we would be refunded within 30 days and by the same means as we paid...etc. There is also the fact that con artists such as yourself make it hard for honest businesses like mine to do business.

There is also the fact of you calling my at 3:30AM last night when I have specifically ordered you to not contact me by phone that's a tad annoying.

[I, Brian]

Always sad to see threads like this - sometimes the internet seems so plain lawless.

[Kaith Rustaz]

A resolution has been reached at this time between myself and Mr. Franklin. More information will be available shortly at [removed]

<<ADMIN NOTE: Please do not link to web sites you own or run from the main forums, per the forum guidelines.>>

[Elite_bags]

This William Franklin guy has cheated me out of almost $1000!!! Not even including the 4 months it took to finish it! Stay clear of this guy at ALL costs!!!!

[mojoServers]

I got scammed of $700 from foundrynap.com... now thats serious stuff

[Dizzy]

sue him for doing that hes scamin u and u got proof by other people so theres ur evidence