18 Apr 08 I am sure IC3.gov have a file on this organisation already
I was asked to provide some more details from my experience, so here is an extract from correspondence with ic3.gov:
After having been a client of web hosting company Gisol for a couple of years, I was suddenly contact by them via phone informing me that they were migrating their administrative system to a new platform and would no longer accept payments via american express. I informed the calling person that I had paid for hosting for another 5 months and I therefore didn’t need to provide credit card details until the hosting was up for renewal. The representative then informed me that emails had been sent out informing me (and other clients) about the migration months in advance that the new administrative package would require validation of a credit card or the account would not remain active. No billing was to take place until renewal was due. It was not impossible that they had sent email as I receive large amount of spam and potentially could have missed something.
Through a series of questions I verified that the person was actually calling from the company. Given that he passed this check and that I had been long term client for several years without any similar incidents, I accepted the explanation and provided details for an alternate account. Shortly thereafter I found out that they had billed my VISA card for 36months hosting upfront at a rate of $49/month (despite their advertised highest hosting package is $7.95 per month).
I contacted my credit card provider but they refused to help as they claimed that I have volunteraly given them my credit card details. My position is that it was agreed that no billing ws going to take place. The card details were required only to keep the account active Since then I discovered that 1) their old admin platform still was active, they just created a new acocunt for me in a new system. The old account could still be logged on to. I also recently received notices that this account was about to expire (which proves the old admin platoform is stil fully functional) and 2) both the old and new platform both accept AMEX details. So the claim that they had to use another credit card was incorrect. Furthermore, using the new admin platform, I could in my personal settings adjust from 36 months billing to monthly with the system indicating that credit would be made. No such has however been made to the card. I have little hope of recovering any money but hope to assist in preventing other people from being defrauded.
I am sure you have a file on this organisation already as a search on google for gisol and fraud retrieves numerous described cases of similar practices.
17 Apr 08 Letter sent to the Editor, WindowsSecrets.com
WindowsSecrets.com Attn.: #120 Editor 1700 7th Ave., Suite 116Seattle, WA 98101-1323
Dear Editor[at]WindowsSecrets[dot]com
Because of the popularity of your newsletter, I thought I’d write in hopes you will do your readers a great service by warning them about the activities of a web hosting company that has been defrauding its customers for several years. I’m a recent victim of this fraud and have taken it upon myself to expose the duplicity of this company.
To start off I suggest that you do a search using the search term “GISOL FRAUD”. You will be astonished at the number of complaints that surface alleging deceptive advertising, extortion, intimidation, credit card fraud and forgery.
GISOL is the corporate acronym for Global Internet Solutions (www.gisol.com), a corporation claiming to be located in Los Angeles, CA. Their scam begins by offering unlimited space, unlimited bandwidth, unlimited sites, 6 months free hosting, a free domain name, a claim that the cost will never go up and a 100% Satisfaction Guaranty all for only $5.95/month
The problems begin some time after the customer signs up. An unsophisticated customer may only become aware there’s a problem when after a year he learns that his domain name has been allowed to expire and that his site is no longer accessible.
Other customers that monitor their sites more carefully may become dissatisfied early on with GISOL’s service outages and incompetent tech support, motivating them to try to cancel. It is then that the customer is made aware of GISOL’s Terms of Service (TOS).
According to the TOS, all domain names registered by GISOL on behalf of its customers are “the intellectual property of GISOL” making it impossible to move to another host without GISOL’s concurance. Depending on how dissatisfied the customer is and on how much vested interest he has in keeping his domain name, the scam can take several different routes.
In one scenario, the scammer at GISOL offers a customer that insists on moving his site to another host a “DNS Management Package” which allows the customer to point his domain name to an alternate hosting provider. The fee for this “service” is “solely at the discretion of GISOL” but typically runs $500.
Alternatively, the scammer may convince a customer to stay by offering to migrate the customer’s site to a better server or offer other considerations but this will require that the customer obtain an “Upgrade/Consolidation Package”. The scammer will then deceptively make it seem as if the customer can obtain the Upgrade/Consolidation Package at a cost of $49.95/year instead of the price stated in the TOS of “$49.95 per month and prepaid for 36 months”.
The customer only realizes that he has been scammed when he gets his credit card statement showing a charge $1798.20. The customer of course then attempts to contact GISOL to correct what appears to be a mistake. However, his phone calls never go through and his emails are never answered. (Once the customer has been fleeced, the scammer simply “call blocks” the customer’s phone number and marks his emails as spam which are automatically trashed.)
Occasionally, the scammer makes a mistake and doesn’t call block the customer’s number or the customer uses a different phone number to call from and the call does go through. Depending on his mood, the scammer then takes on different personas and different names to hide his true identity.
Sometimes its Shaun, at others its Brian or Mike. Depending on how irate the customer is, the scammer can be consoling but suggest that he can do nothing but pass on the complaint to the “administration” or “refund” department”. Of course the customer is never contacted and his subsequent attempts to contact GISOL are frustrated.
At other times, the scammer becomes intimidating and threatens to shut down the customer’s site or take legal action against the customer. If the customer initiates a charge back on his credit card, the scammer forges the customer’s signature “authorizing” the charge.
There are many other onerous provisions of the GISOL TOS that are sometimes invoked and the scenarios I’ve described are common but not inclusive of all the scams attributed to GISOL. The Better Business Bureau has been made aware of GISOL (it has received over 400 complaints) and has assigned GISOL an F rating. Many customers that GISOL has scammed have also written letters of complaint to various law enforcement agencies.
Even though my losses were minor, I myself have written to the California Attorney General, the Los Angeles District Attorney, the Federal Trade Commisson, the National Fraud Information Center and even senator Dianne Feinstein pleading with her to urge the CA AG to investigate GISOL.
I have to believe that eventually these thieves will be brought to justice but in the meantime, the public must be warned of this corporate predator hiding behind the anonymity of the Internet.
Thanks for your consideration
Jesse xxxxx
ps. Feel free to contact me if you would like any additional information such as copies of the letters I have sent , etc.
17 Apr 08 Gisol FRAUD: Report to POLICE
Everyone that has been ripped off via fraud, please report them to the police:
My signature was forged twice in two places on their rebuttal to my credit card company.
I figured others, like me, didn’t know who to call.
So yes, I politely called 911 and explained it was not an emergency and spoke of forgery. Yes, they were ok. I even asked the officer if there was another department I should be contacting. I wasn’t taking no for an answer in filing a report.
People should approach making a criminal report as a learning experience. I think many are not sure it is OK to report may be why this company used this technique. Think about it.
I am NOT relying on my police department to send the report to the LA Sheriff for me. I am getting a copy and sending it myself.
I really made the report so that I can say to GISOL that there is a criminal report made against them. If anything, this shows I am willing to take action.
And I may contact GISOL to let them know about the report, so hopefully they figure not to deal with me because I am on to take action.
NOTE: I made my criminal report (forgery in the 2nd degree) only after they sent rebuttal documents to my bank about how I ’signed’ agreements of 1700 (when it should be 73).
The officer wasn’t sure at first, but I was insistant.
I even used the argument: ‘If I owned a business and started forging names of my customers and sending out the invoices, how would they report me?’ This got through to the officer.
Do the same if they forged your name like myself.
17 Apr 08 Email letter to Senator Dianne Feinstein
Dear Senator Feinstein
i would like to advise you that their are internal threats to our homeland every bit as serious as those from abroad. I speak of the loss of confidence by our citizens when government agencies charged with protecting the public against corporate fraud allow such criminals to thrive.
In particular, I would like to inform you of a company that has been defrauding its customers for over seven years continuing to this day. The name of this company is Global Internet Solutions (also dba as GISOL, Inc. – www.gisol.com) located in Los Angeles, CA. That GISOL is rated F by the Better Business Bureau should give you a hint that something is terribly wrong.
Your office was informed of this company’s illegal behavior in a letter from a Mr. Kerry Jones late in 2003. Your response to this letter dated December 18, 2003 included the statement “I firmly believe that we cannot stand idly by and allow companies and the heads of companies to continue to act dishonestly and without integrity (http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=217739).
Well, five years later this same company is still defrauding the public (including myself) with seeming impunity. To my knowledge no action has ever been taken against GISOL by any law enforcement agency. Yet the web is replete with complaints against GISOL alleging deceptive advertising, extortion, intimidation, credit card fraud and forgery.
Luckily my particular loss was minor but there are hundreds of others that have lost thousands of dollars to these thieves. I implore you to search the web using the term “GISOL FRAUD”. You will be astonished at the number of complaints that surface.
I am sure as a busy Senator that you must prioritize your time. Yet, by your own words five years ago “we cannot stand idly by and allow companies…to continue to act dishonestly”. Surely five years is long enough to wait for justice.
Some might contend that GISOL’s fraudulent behavior is not important enough to warrant your attention. However, there are hundreds of your fellow citizens that have been injured by GISOL and even more will suffer in the future because law enforcement has been so lax. Its no wonder that law enforcement is often considered irrelevant or held in disdain.
What can you do? As a Senator you are in a position to correct this injustice. I ask simply that you contact the Attorney General of California and advise him that this has gone on long enough. Nations don’t always fail due to conquest, some simply wither from within due to the apathy of their citizenry when their leaders and institutions fail to act.
Sincerely
15 Apr 08 GISOL Terms of Service
As a trusting sort of guy, I rarely read EULA’s or Terms of Service (TOS). Well, I should have reviewed GISOL’s before I signed up with them as it makes for interesting but depressing reading. While I’m not a lawyer, it seems that GISOL may be operating in accordance with its TOS with regard to the ownership of domain names, so called upgrades and its cancellation policy.
That is not to say that GISOL is not guilty of fraud in the manner in which it applies the TOS, its strong arm tactics, forged signatures and run arounds are clearly illegal but the ultimate goal of putting these guys behind bars will depend on documented evidence of these illegal acts, not simply the loss of a domain name.
In the meantime, we can make them pay economically by continuing to expose their unethical and duplicitous behavior throughout the Internet. Toward this end, I not only post here on Report-Gisol but also on other related Internet venues and encourage others to do the same. Each posting on the web exposing how GISOL does business increases the number of anti-GISOL search hits and that is bound to have an effect on their ability to attract more “customers”.
To provide additional background, I’ve excepted a few relevant paragraphs from the GISOL TOS as well as the notice on their cancellation page and invite any legal professionals that may have been similarly injured to provide their insight.
__________________
GISOL TERMS OF SERVICE
Customers and Upgrades
b. Any existing Customer must obtain an Upgrade/Consolidation Package if they have, are entering in or had any relation, affiliation or involvement with one (1) or more account within the GISOL Network.
c. Upgrade/Consolidation Packages are priced at US $49.95 per month and prepaid for 36 months while providing the customer with the ability to consolidate up to 3 current accounts into 1 package. This package contains Unlimited disk space, bandwidth and allows hosting of unlimited domain names not currently hosted within the GISOL Network. The package will also include free Private Registration, U.S Based Technical Support and 1 (one) free PromoPack per month for the full term of the aforementioned agreement. Upgrade/Consolidation Packages may be obtained at a significantly lower price during any special offer period. In order to obtain the special offer price, Customer must fill out a new order form which will automatically serve as acknowledgement of this clause.
d. Customer may not consolidate domain names or transfer/move domain names between any accounts within the GISOL Network. Any such attempt will be considered an AUP violation and will contain a fee as appropriate for the severity of the violation. Customer must contact GISOL at 323-924-5915 and request for this service to be completed on the Customers behalf. This service will entail the automatic agreement to the “Customers and Upgrades” Term and the automated purchase request for the Upgrade/Consolidation Package at the currently offered price or special offer, whichever is most suitably priced.
Personal Use Limitations and Statutes
a. PERSONAL USE . Personal use is limited to content meant solely for the use and viewing pleasure of the Account Holder/Customer. Content furthermore shall be limited to: Personal Images (pictures of person or persons of particular relation to the Customer), Personal Blogs (blogs regarding activities, daily life, adventures or happenings directly related to the Customer), Personal Diaries, Personal Forums (personal forums are strictly prohibited from any association with goods, services, propaganda or political insight). Web content may not contain any sale, promotion, reference, link or advertisement, promoting, assimilating to, introducing, offering or suggesting any product, service, concept, hobby, belief, religion, faith, theory, instruction or method.
b. BUSINESS USE . Business use constitutes the allowance of web content such as; Business forums, blogs, pictures, paintings, art, promotion of a product, promotion of a service, promotion of a belief, sales, offers and etc. Customer may incorporate links, advertisements, assimilations and references to all legal content which may be utilized for any personal or business purpose. Customer is liable to act in good faith at all times and must follow both federal and state laws and regulations to ensure legitimate use of GISOL and all of its services.
Online Hosting Specials
a. Any and all “Special Offers” located on http://www.gisol.com/hosting are for the exclusive purpose of “Personal Use” and follow the strict guidelines and regulations of the “Personal Use Limitations and Statutes” section of the GISOL Policies. Online specials pertain only to the 2 (two) year term, furthermore, are the sole bearers of the “Price Freeze Guarantee” and the “Credit Back Guarantee/GCC”. Regular priced packages may contain the same features as any “Special Offer”, however, “Personal Use” Guidelines and Regulations still apply. Availability of items such as the E-Commerce Package and Shopping Cart feature within any given “Special Offer” allows Customer to sell their personal property, limited by the intent of the sale. Intent may not contain any business purpose or financial gain; moreover, any sale must constitute an even trade of funds in exchange for personal products/belongings of Customer.
b. Business Packages start at $49.95 per month and are prepaid for 36 months, however, during any special offer period, the business package may be purchased at $29.95 per month prepaid for 36 months. Any package with 1 or more websites hosting any business related content or any information from the customer suggesting the intent to utilize an account for business will automatically receive an upgrade to the Business Package. If it is discovered by GISOL that Customer is planning to utilize hosting services for Business, it is automatically presumed that our policies have been reviewed and that the customer acknowledges the automatic upgrade to the Business Package. All business packages will include identical benefits to the Unlimited Package, additionally; Customer will receive Private Registration, U.S Technical Support and one PromoPack feature per month.
Billing and Payment.
h. Satisfaction Guarantee: All of our virtual Web Hosting Packages come with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee during the 8th month of use with no cancellation or administrative fees charged. This also means that you may cancel rendered hosting services at any time past 8 (eight) months of use and receive a Pro-Rated GISOL Company Credit (referred to as: GCC) which may be used for services within the GISOL Network. Promotional fees, if any, will be deducted from the amount of your Pro-Rated GCC. This Satisfaction Guarantee exists solely for and is limited to Web Hosting packages. Any features purchased from GISOL will be considered as rendered upon dispatch from GISOL’s mail servers. Any features such as PromoPack(s), Private Registration(s), U.S. Based Technical Support and/or Etc., do not qualify for any GCC. If a cancellation request is submitted prior to 8 months of use, no credit will be issued to Customer.
Duration of Agreement, Continuity, and Cancellation Policy.
i. All sales are final including the acceptance of all policies after the Customers order has been submitted and prior to contact from GISOL’s Verification Department. Any setup fees, fees for additional services, as well as fees paid for the lease of the domain name are always non-refundable. Any promotional domain lease options will be billed at US $29.95 per domain and subtracted from any prepaid hosting fees before any Credit is processed. Customer acknowledges and agrees that following the instructions provided at http://cancel.GISOL.com is the ONLY ACCEPTABLE METHOD TO CANCEL a Web hosting account with GISOL to avoid occurrences such as an automatic renewal. Any cancellation requests sent to or directed to GISOL by telephone, email and/or regular mail shall be null and void. Customer also agrees that any request for a credit shall be forfeited, if the instructions provided at http://cancel.GISOL.com have not been followed to cancel a Web hosting account.
__________________
Notice on GISOL cancellation page
PLEASE NOTE: Effective March 15, 2003, the form within is THE ONLY WAY to cancel your account with us. No calls or emails to any department will preserve any deadlines according to our Terms of Service. Global Internet Solutions does not issue refunds for its services once services have been rendered and an account was created for your use on the server. However, if you are terminating your account well in advance of your next billing date, you may be entitled to a partial refund with managerial approval based on the number of months of service used. Any refunds will be issued within 14 days after approval. See our Terms of Service for details.
_________________
15 Apr 08 I was extorted by Gisol
I was extorted by GISOL. Given 1 hour before they shut me down. They said I would have to pay for a 3 year contract because they upgraded their server panels and I was such an old customer I would have to upgrade or would loose my email – web site and domain name. I have been in dispute for a year and today I got an email from someone trying to sell me my original domain name GISOL had. Fed up and totally frustrated but I will not give up. This is extortion in its true form and there does not seem to be any justice.
Thanks for putting together a web site to expose these criminals.
15 Apr 08 Another complaint sent to the CA AGO about Gisol, Inc.
Here is a copy of my complaint to the California AGO:
I would like to inform you of serious fraudulent activity in the State of California, being perpetrated by a web hosting company called Gisol, Inc. They are freely operating and scamming money from unsuspecting customers around the world. They use very deceptive advertising on their website to get their customers. Their policy seems to be to charge as much money to their customers credit cards as possible. This is either done on first contact, or after a year or two of very poor service. They also register your domain name in their name, and hold it hostage to get you to sign up for further services, that you already have. They have recently been forging signatures on receipts, either cutting and pasting existing signatures, or just simply making them up.
I have personally been charged $718.20 (on 01/22/08) after 1 year of hosting, when Gisol quoted me $42.84 over the phone. I disputed the charge on my visa card, and Gisol returned a sales receipt with my signature on. This is fraud. I did not sign the sales receipt. I signed a service contract, and they have copied my signature. My bank has refunded me the money as they agreed that it was a forged document. I have copies of both documents which I can forward to you.
I urge you to please do a search on the internet for “Gisol Fraud”, and you will see the extent of their activities. There are literally hundreds of complaints from ex-customers, with very similar stories to mine. The LA Better Business Bureau has 448 complaints on their files in the past 36 months alone. I also urge you to request those complaints from them, which they will readily release to you.
I cannot understand how a company in the US is allowed to operate above the law for so long. They are literally scamming people on a daily basis for hundreds of thousands of dollars in total.
Please stop them.
For your information, I have filed complaints with the FBI IC3 (passed on to the FTC) and the LA BBB. I am located in the UK.
14 Apr 08 Tips to investigate GISOL registered with local LA TV stations
In one more attempt to draw attention to GISOL I recently posted tips with local LA TV stations KABC, KCAL and KCBS to investigate GISOL. You can’t go into much detail in their online forms so I just suggested that one of their reporters do a Google search to uncover the massive fraud that GISOL is perpetrating on the public.
Others might also want to try this to see if maybe we can get the media interested. Government agencies often become more responsive to complaints when the media gets involved.
14 Apr 08 Here is my Gisol story. Not over yet.
Ok, my story is this.
I purchased a hosting service from them for a little over $100.
I actually still have this site and was just rebilled by them in January with no problems.
Even their support was decent. When I would send tickets in, they were quite responsive.
Now I am on a committee for our class reunion. All we needed was a simple site. Simple HTML, and the PHP message board.
Nothing else.
So I went back to GISOL because I never had issue in the past. They had a deal for one year for $71.40.
So I made the purchase over the website. Then I received a receipt for the purchase (in which I kept the email and made a screen capture).
It clearly says:
‘Plan: Premium – Windows (Annually) ($71.40).
Order Total : $71.40
A salesman called me, English speaking, was verifying the website purchase and asked what it was for, etc. I told him its just a reunuion site where we were going to post where and when, etc. Needed nothing but simplist plan. He then asked if I had a Mastercard, because I could save an additional $3. I didn’t have an MasterCard.
(I don’t know if the above means anything, but who knows?)
All was well until I got my credit card statement for $1,798.20.
I tried to contact GISOL via email. I contacted Sales[at]GISOL[dot]COM. Admin[at]GISOL[dot]COm, and contacted tech support when I got frustrated. I called all the numbers on the website except the long distance one. I COULDN’T BELIEVE then don’t have a toll free number for billing!
I did the live chat tech support call and brought up my billing issue. I asked him who to talk to, what numbers I could call, etc. He was clueless like everyone else. BTW, I cut and pasted the conversation.
Then I called the all Indian speaking toll free number (866) 244-7925 again and spoke to ‘Jack’, who again told me to email Admin and Sales. I told him I did and received no response. Then he said just contact Admin. (Every email I sent to one, I sent to the other). In my emails I even gave my work and home numbers and asked them to call me.
Jack was getting cranky and hung up on me.
So I called back and spoke to ‘Tracy’. I asked for Jack, and she said he was no longer taking calls.
Then I bit the bullet and called the long distance number. It was busy for a long time. Then I called and it rang and was put on hold. After 9 minutes of waiting, I gave up. (At this time I read on the web that this number rarely picks up and you are put on hold indefinitly).
Then I contacted my credit card company to dispute the purchase. I have a Chase Visa. After submitting the paperwork, I was told it was settled (at least I thought so) and I would pay the original $71.40. I told my credit card company that I forfeit the whole purchase. So the fact they kept the original amount tells me they got an agreement from someone.
I even sent them a copy of my original charge of $71.40.
Well, last Thursday I received a package in the email from Chase with GISOL’s defense. Its a bunch of documents trying to explain that I agreed to that amount and was receivin the ‘benefits’ of the ‘unlimited Upgrade’.
It shows the front page of the website. Big deal.
Most disturbing was a billing statement from them with the amount of $1798.20.
It is a constructed letter made to look like a business letter. It has their address, then my address, then the statement.
It has these words “By signing below, I agree to Pay $1798.20 to GISOL, Inc.
Then my ’signature’ which is NOT my signature.
Then below my signature is this:
————
[My Signature]
Name: [my name]
Email: [my email]
Date: 11/26/2007 12:01:47AM (the time I logged in and bought it)
IP Address: []
Browser: Firefox 5
I AGREE TO PAY THE AMOUNT ABOVE PUSUANT TO CARDHOLDER AGREEMENT. NO REFUNDS, IN-STORE CREDIT ONLY.
————-
So they forged my signature and put it on this fake billing statement.
I have NEVER recieved this statement EVER. Plus, it’s impossible I signed it at the date because I bought in the middle of the night, in my HOME.
They forged this document and my signature.
No where is the orignal billing statement I received mentioned AT ALL.
So, with the package I filled out the paper work, along with 16 attachments of email trails, documents, etc.
I talked to the Senior Financial Advisor of Chase about all of this (who is recieveing all the info above)
I brought up the forged document, and she agreed it was fraud but has to look into it first.
I did tell her about how there are sites of Anti-Gisol and even mentioned how someone had a forged issue with them as well. She said she was interested in looking these sites, so I included links to this site and another in my attachments.
I will be calling her shortly to make sure she recieved my package OK and further discuss the case.
I will report the fraud to the police once I talk to my card about it.
So that is my story.
14 Apr 08 Lame response from CA Attorney General
I received the following form letter from the CA Attorney General last week in response to a complaint that I filed with the AG a several weeks ago.
I personally think this is a pretty lame response, especially the paragraph: “We have forwarded a copy of your letter along with an inquiry from our office to the company you are concerned about. Hopefully, this will elicit from them a response which we will all find satisfactory.”
For sure GISOL will have to respond to the AG’s letter but I’m sure they will wait as long as they can and then simply refute all allegations of fraud. The AG will then forward me a copy of GISOL’s response asking me to respond. This to and fro could go on for months, even years, allowing GISOL more time to continue their criminal behavior.
Perhaps I’m being too negative but I am very disappointed that the AG’s letter was so feeble; as if a letter from the AG is going to affect the behavior of these seasoned criminals. Maybe some one else can read more into the AG’s letter. If so I’d be glad to hear it.
_________________________________________________________
Letter from California Attorney General
April 7, 2008
Re: Global Intenet Solutions
Dear
Thank you for bringing your consumer complaint to the attention of Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. Often, it is only through letters from concerned and responsible citizens, like you, that our office becomes aware of consumer problems.
You should be aware that California state laws do not allow us to represent private individuals in personal civil matters. However, in cases of statewide significance, we can bring legal action against a company when substative evidence is presented to us supporting allegations that a firm has violated California law.
We have forwarded a copy of your letter along with an inquiry from our office to the company you are concerned about. Hopefully, this will elicit from them a response which we will all find satisfactory.
Again, thank you for contacting our office and giving us the opportunity to assist you in this matter.
Sincerely
M. Scot
Public Inquiry Unit
For: Edmund G. Brown Jr.
__________________________________________________________
12 Apr 08 Another GISOL Fraud Story
I signed up with Global Internet Solutions on 08/06/2003. I was drawn to GISOL’s advertisement of unlimited space, unlimited bandwidth, unlimited sites, and free domain. However, you do not advertise that the domain name will not be purchased in your name. So, like any other person that has a domain name, I came to rely on my personal name and other names I purchased for clients. The script on GISOL’s home page that says their $5.94 per month deal runs out in so many hours. However, that updates and the time changes. I purchased 5 domain names through them, before I figured out the truth; the names weren’t registered to me. I have made countless calls and wasted hours, because operators at GISOL said I could transfer the name, it was mine, and that I just had to contact sales. I called every department and when I called sales they told me to email sales. I’d talk to tech support and they’d tell me to contact sales. After finally getting a truthful response and finding out the bitter truth, I was told I could not move my domain names. I have stuck it out with GISOL for this reason and this reason alone. Support has sent me in circles and website uptime has been horrible.
Two of the domain names I purchased through GISOL were purchased on behalf of clients. One of them animalagents.com, whom decided they wanted someone else to work on the site. That was fine with me, but I had to change the DNS (Domain Name Server) of the website so the site could be served through a different hosting company. I ended up trying for three months to get the DNS of animalagents.com changed and a GISOL operator told me the only way to do it was to update my account. This required me to purchase 3 years in advance at $19.95 per month. I didn’t want to purchase 3 years in advance, but I was stuck with them and I did I didn’t want to anger my previous client. When I purchased the account, he refused to tell me the total for the three years (said he wasn’t authorized). He also wouldn’t let me use a credit card and he wouldn’t tell me the grand total, only the monthly rate. He said I had to void a check and give him my account information. I gulped and purchased the account. It was opened 5/24/07 for a total of $718.20. After months of agonizing the DNS of animalagents.com was finally changed.
A few months later the new person working on animalagents.com emailed and asked me to change the DNS again…no problem. I called Global Internet Solutions on October 11, 2007, a guy by the name of Chris answered and said that the previous account was done all wrong and that I should have opened up a different account. He said it would be cheaper than the previous account and they were running a huge promotion through MasterCard. He said the account is $29.95 per month and I would have to purchase three years, but their special made 20 of the months only $95.40. He also told me it was an instant rebate. I asked him what the total would be and he said $95.40. I said, “What about the other 16 months?” and he said, “It is only 20 months.” He also told me I could get a refund for the pro-rated amount of the previous account in 8 months. I gave him my credit card number and felt really uneasy. I felt as though he was trying to confuse me.
The next day, I got a very unprofessional looking certified letter in the mail saying GISOL charged my credit card $1,078.20. I broke down and cried. I didn’t understand why it was necessary for them to pay $5.21 to send out a receipt certified unless it was a poor attempt to cover their tracks.
I called Global Internet Solutions on 10/15/07 to try to find a resolution. I started to suspect that I was talking to the same person every time, but under a different name. I asked the operator (Alex) for Chris, but was given Adam. Adam said Chris could not answer because he had a family emergency. I had a very long conversation with Adam. I felt like I was being manipulated. During the conversation he also told me the upgrade was mandatory. I said that Chris told me there was an instant rebate. Adam said,” Yes, we “instantly” fill out the paperwork and you get the refund in 8 months.” I said that wasn’t what I was told. Then he told me they had a huge promotion with Master Card and that 20 of the months were $75.00. He then told me that in 8 months time I would receive a full refund of the $1,078. I didn’t believe it and I wasn’t sure what to say back, so that was the end of the conversation. During the conversation I complained about the certified envelope I received with the receipt. He said Authorize.net mailed it.
The next day 10/16/07, I called back. The operator had a fake Russian accent. He then transferred me to a person that said his name was Shawn and that his representative number was 57382. I told Shawn, I couldn’t afford to be out $1,078.00 for the next 8 months, I didn’t authorize the charge in the first place, and that I wanted my old account back. He said that wasn’t possible and that I talked to him yesterday and he explained it. I told him, “Yesterday your name was Adam.” I got in a pretty heavy argument with him. He said that the previous conversation was recorded and that he would contact a MasterCard representative to review the conversation while I was on the line with him. I heard another voice I had heard before (He sounded like the operator). The “MasterCard representative” who called himself “Josh” (rep. #4366) told me I was incorrect and that I was told I’d get a rebate in 8 months for the total amount. I was infuriated and felt helpless. He didn’t replay the previous conversation. I told them both that I would have never agreed to a charge of $1078.00. I asked the MasterCard representative how to get in contact with him through MasterCard and he said he was not permitted to give me that information.
As soon as the charge showed up on my card I called MasterCard to dispute it and cancelled my credit card to prevent anymore-fraudulent charges. I also asked the MasterCard operator if there were any promotions being run through Global Internet Solutions. He said all the promotions were listed on the MasterCard website. I scoured the promotions and didn’t find anything related to Global Internet Solutions. I cancelled my Global Internet Solutions account. My previous websites now have messages that say account for domain has been suspended. I no longer have 5 domain names animalagents.com, julie-fisher.com, corrientecattle.com, and equestriansource.com, juliefishermusic.com and impactdigitaldesign.com. I’ve relied heavily on julie-fisher.com. It is where my online digital design portfolio was. I have to replace all of my business cards because they listed that domain. They refuse to give my names back. I have contacted other hosting companies that purchase names on behalf of the client and were told they don’t keep the name for themselves; they purchase it in the clients’ name. I feel taken advantage of, tricked, defeated, and manipulated and they have damaged my reputation as a web designer with two of my clients.
I have reported them to IC3 and the Better Business Bureau. I found out GISOL has a rating of “F” with the Better Business Bureau. Since my ordeal I have searched the Internet for stories about GISOL and have found countless forums and website related to fraud and manipulation. Many of the stories were the same as mine and were even disputing the same credit card charge. They draw people in with promises of 100% uptime, low monthly fees, and unlimited bandwidth. However, they shadily do not disclose that every domain you purchase is registered to them, they register it under the company. When GISOL calls to ask for more money and tells you that you have to change your account, your back is against the wall because you’ve already spent time and money promoting your website. I am amazed that they are still operating. I hope more people that have been defrauded will pursue legal action on some level.
They owe me for the pro-rated time of $625.72 from the previous account, the $1078.20, which was unlawfully charged to me, and the remainder of the time left on my 5 domain names, which at $35.00 per year comes out to $475.00. There are also other charges I don’t believe were refunded for which I am still searching for statements.
After I couldn’t get my money back through the credit card company, I received an email from GISOl saying my account (that I officially closed) has been re-opened. I emailed them and said they have no right to re-open my account. I am also unable to login. One of the websites is up when it should not be and I do not have access to delete it. Because, the domain unfortunately does not belong to me and I officially canceled my account through their online form, I consider it theft of intellectual property. I had deleted everything of mine from their server before I canceled the account. GISOL does not answer any of my phone calls or emails. Their deception never fails to surprise me.
I went to small claims court and no one from GISOL showed up. I still had to present my case. It was very difficult to explain my situation. The judge didn’t understand what web hosting is. Anyways, she took all my info to review and I should know by mail. I wish everyone that has been scammed by GISOL, that is able too…would take them to court. Complaining online isn’t enough.
12 Apr 08 Unofficial American Express Policy regarding Gisol?
It has been suggested on Raoul’s site that American Express (Amex) has an unofficial policy regarding Gisol:
Due to the number of complaints/chargebacks/disputes that customers of Global Internet Solution’s customers have made in the past, Amex have placed Gisol on a “blacklist” known as the “Automatic Chargeback Program”.
What this means is that Amex will automatically refund their customers if they make a complaint about a transaction made with Gisol, without the need of any evidence.
This seems to make sense as I have seen many posts on other sites that Gisol have said they no longer accept American Express. Possibly, a few assumptions have been made regarding this sort of statement by others, and me in a previous post.
What “AMEX Info” says does make sense:
For this reason, GISOL no longer accepts AMEX cards since for them it does not make financial sense to spend time defrauding the customer if the customer wins every time.
Please read “AMEX Info’s” original comment.
Who “AMEX Info” is, and how true this is, we do not know, but it does seem to make sense. It may also make sense that American Express will NOT do business with Gisol, and this is an attempt to put us “off the scent”?
All I can suggest is if you previously paid by American Express, and have since been ripped off using a different card, contact Amex about the original charge and try to get that refunded.
Please let us know if this is successful.
AMEX Info’s response April 15th 2008:
If you call AMEX merchant services at 800-528-5200, navigate through the system and get to an agent, and then ask for the chargeback department, they can tell you more about the automatic chargeback program.
Many non-reputable internet businesses are on the program just by virtue of the industry type because they are classified as high risk, but companies that prove themselves to be reliable (low chargeback percentage) get removed, while those that aren’t on the program and receive many chargebacks get blacklisted. It’s pretty clear that with their current business practices, GISOL isn’t ever getting removed.
My earlier statement about how easy it is for a customer to get their money back was an oversimplification meant to make a point, but the process is considerably easier and faster for the customer than it is with other credit cards. After an automatic chargeback is initiated, the money is returned to the customer first, then the company has a chance to make a rebuttal, not the other way around. The company is held to a higher burden of proof that they actually provided a service and GISOL’s tactics of falsifying such evidence wouldn’t work.
If any GISOL ex-customers who used AMEX when it was accepted are reading, have you not received 100% of your money back through AMEX? What were the circumstances?
If “AMEX Info” is reading this, please contact us. I created a temporary email address. It is 080411temp[at]report-gisol[dot]com. I will have to close it after 2 weeks from today, due to spambots picking it up. Otherwise, please use our normal contact form. All correspondence is confidential.
11 Apr 08 Global Internet Solutions Complaint: LA BBB Response
The following is the response from the LA BBB (Better Business Bureau of the Southlands) regarding my complaint. Obviously, Gisol couldn’t be bothered to reply. It didn’t get me anywhere, but I am extremely happy that my complaint will be saved for at least 36 months, and will be released in the event of any Government action against them.
It’s only a matter of time (the CA AGO is already interested in Global Internet Solutions), so please register your complaint.
Here it is:
In the absence of any response from the company this complaint despite our two requests to them, we are closing our file on this complaint.This unanswered complaint will become part of the information we report to the public on this company for the next three years. Should any government agency request our files on this company, your complaint will also be included.
If you have settled this complaint directly with the company, would you please email us to let us know that, as well as any other comments you might have. Your help in doing this is important to ensure that our report to the public on this company is accurate.
Thank you for using the Better Business Bureau.
Keep it up…. Report Gisol.
10 Apr 08 GISOL is a company run by thieves! Beware!
I would like to add my experience to this site in support of others who have been ripped off by GISOL.
GISOL hosted my site for several years. Technically they did the job for the most part, other than when links went down and I had to communicate with them. Communications were never easy, but they eventually corrected the difficulty.
I decided in Dec. 07, to not renew my site with GISOL, so sent them an email. With no response, I sent a total of three emails telling them not to renew in Jan. 08. In fact they charged my M/C and renewed anyway. I went through a series of attempts to contact someone there by phone, only to reach someone in a phone room offshore who had one line only, and that was for me to send an email. I kept telling him that was the problem, no human was responding. He finally gave me a number in Los Angeles, but no one ever answered at GISOL.
I tried to recover my loss by refuting the charges on the M/C and have been informed my bank is not willing to go against GISOL again because of fines M/C can levy on the bank. Although GISOL says they will refund unused hosting time, they do not, and I’m out the money.
GISOL is a company run by thieves! Beware!
Please read my full review.
10 Apr 08 I have called every police dept in LA – Gisol forgery
Signed up for a 200.75 hosting account and paid with paypal. Gisol called me and said they were having problems with paypal and needed a CC #. They called me about 6 time wanting this number. I should have been flagged by this behavior but since a friend was using their service I thought it would be ok. Lo and behold I got a charge for 1798.00 on my discover card. I immediately cancelled my account and disputed the charge. Gisol sent Discover documentation showing I had signed an agreement to pay the 1798.00. This was a copy and paste of a signature (signed by mouse) that I had signed on the agreement). This is a forgery. I have called every police department in LA and I’m now waiting on hearing from the Santa Monica Police. The attorney General was worthless. I would really like to fly down to Santa Monica and get my money back in person. These guys need to go to jail. I would like to make sure that happens. I look forward to the day that I can sit in court and testify against these crooks.
They also think this is a big joke. One guy pretends to be many and they laugh at you in the background. The ego of the head of operations has to be stupendous. I called them and told them I was going to report them to the FBI and they offered to give me their address.
These guys got to go down.
