New Scam: UltimateSearchGuide.com and SSK eMarketing

Posted by Karoli in Scams January 14th, 2008

Your Guide to Google Click Fraud
In the spirit of calling a scam a scam and things too good to be true too good to be true, let me introduce you to the ad that has been spattered across free ads sites and paper ads in the Pennysaver and PennysaverUSA circulars delivered to your mailbox.

This scam comes to you courtesy of SSK eMarketing, LLC. Don’t bother with a Google search — you won’t find anything worth clicking. The only result worth clicking through is the one on Ripoff Report where some unfortunate person tried to buy their “free trial” for $1.85 and doesn’t receive his money back or his “marketing materials”, but he does have charges of $40/month to his credit card that they won’t stop.

Here’s another scam that is targeted toward work-at-home-moms, students, and others who are in need of flexible schedules and some extra money. While I could find no ‘official’ explanation of what a “Google clicker” might be, common sense says it’s this: You click on Google AdSense ads on assigned sites and they share the wealth. It could also be a site involved in scraping others’ content — there is a reference to “filling out Google forms”. What Google forms are, I have no idea. But creating scrape sites is another form-filling opportunity.

Here’s an excellent discussion of the cost of click fraud to Adsense advertisers.

Here’s a post that tells the story better than I could:

Helexia:

For example, I have numerous campaigns set up, 4 campaigns are in the > $10 per click range. I have a couple IP’s that click on just a few different ads, a couple times per day, a few times a week (never a conversion). My stats show this IP only visits the landing page for under 10 seconds each time and then leaves.

So this 1 IP, at the current rate of what they’re doing would cost me about $36,500 per year… FOR 1 IP! And I see a couple IP’s doing this.

I feel like my competitors at the end of the work day say “Oh before you turn off the lights and go home, don’t forget to click on everyone’s google ads”… pretty soon your going to see job openings in the help wanted for “Professional google clickers”

I’m not happy.

SSK eMarketing, LLC has a current filing with the California Department of Corporations, but it won’t tell you anything, beyond the date it was filed and the address of service, which goes to their proxy, Capitol Corporate Services, Inc., just as their web site registration goes to their private registrar.

Here’s the thing: Whether or not they actually instruct on how to commit click fraud or not, this is what they offer: A “free 14-day trial” of their “marketing kit” for $1.85 and your credit card. After 14 days, it will cost you $39.95/month.

Does that sound like a JOB to you? No, it didn’t sound like one to me, either. But they are evidently successful enough to spam their ads all over these papers in the hopes of grabbing someone naive and hopeful. And as we all know, this kind of scam works well on the uninitiated and the optimists. They’re making money one of two ways: Selling you a dog and pony scam show with “access” to their private web site for $40/month, or they’re really engaging in scraping and click fraud. Either way, it is a bad deal for anyone who decides to give it a try.

This isn’t just limited to Google. They also have some “get rich quick using EBay” scam they’re willing to sell you, too.

Here’s the thing: Click fraud is just that — fraud. Look at Helexia’s comment again — when people who are not interested in the product click to generate AdSense commissions without interest in the product, it is FRAUD. You are ripping off the advertiser. Whether or not this site encourages click fraud goes beyond the scope of what I know, since I’m unwilling to hand over my credit card or any other information to them to find out. However, advertising for Google clickers certainly doesn’t leave me with a high degree of confidence or esteem.

If you have had any experience with the site, the package, or the scam, leave a comment and tell your story.

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Viewing 11 Comments

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    That's quite funny, but I feel sorry for those who were gullible enough to sign up. =(

    However from what I understand, Google can detect click fraud and returns you the fraudulent click money afterwards... so if Google is doing their job properly, it should be all good.
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    • v
    Thanks for having this thread up. I'm doing some job hunting, saw this site in regional help wanted, and just reported them to the site. I had a funny feeling about it because it sounded to cheezy and blingy. "Look at how shiny we are yay!" Even if many know they're fake, they still shouldn't be allowed to post their junk anywhere.
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    In reply to Angela's statement about the Google refunds, their invalid click filters are not that good, and a click farm as you describe above will probably fool the filter as they look like real users browsing your site.

    It is my experience that people working on click farms are given intrusctions to click on links on the site to simulate a real user experience in an effort to fool the search engine.

    What is more, why would they do it if they were not generating an income?

    An excellent post exposing another click fraud scam.
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    Agree with Neil - the only surefire way to ensure that you get what you pay for is to audit your PPC campaigns with a third party provider. Of course engines will claim they are catching it (especially the 600 lb. Gorilla) - but in the end, do you really want the thief who robbed your bank today to become your security guard tomorrow?
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    • v
    Nice article. I too, saw this on Pennysavers and decided to call them. They immediately asked me for my contact info and credit card number. I said not yet because I read that this might be a scam. The lady became furious and said why did I call then. Funny thing is she didn't deny it. LOL
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    • v
    You know, I recenly broke my neck in four places due to a drunk driver and went from pulling in over six figures to sitting at home going crazy dying to do make some money and of course that Ultimate Search Guide found it's way to my email. Being from Google it sounded and looked legitimate enough. Then again I have enough pain pills coursing through my veins to kill an elephant. Originally they advertise filling out forms for Google but once you receive your materials it's a web site store you have to put together and anything but filling out forms. Because I'm in recovery I figured it would be better then doing nothing until I can get back to my business. Now that I came across this scam page while trying to find the Ultimate Search Guide page I'm literally sick to my stomach! You have to be kidding! Unbelievable! So what you are saying is that there is zero validity to this web store I supposdly dish out $40 DOLLARS a month for? And yes, you're right. It said $1.85 with zero information pertaining to taking out fourty bux a month! I've already been billed. Will anyone with information pertaining to this please update me so I don't waste anymore time with this then I already have. If the store is legit (doubtful) please verify this in a professional manner. It looks like I'm going to be getting a new card here real soon. This sucks
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    • v
    The store seemed kind of legit. It is a web store, but why was it advertised as something totally different. I had a bear of a time getting to the login screen. I called them and they had given me my password. I logged in to find the web setup was nice, but all the products they had for you to sell were way above wholesale, hardly a discount on retail.

    I cancelled, unfortunately after 2 months of being billed. I didn't ask for a credit, because they really did supply me with a service. However, I think they were supposed to mail me some bonus stuff, which I never received.

    This company was based out of UK and like I said was hard to find the login area. NEVER join one of these online businesses that do not have legit phone numbers and addresses. ALWAYS do a BBB or Ripoff Report Search.

    $80 to the bad guys. This needs to stop...especially when it was advertised in CareerBuilders.com.

    Good luck,
    Rob
    • ^
    • v
    Its a fraud plain and simple. Received no "kit" but did get the initial $1.85 credited back to my card. However, got charged another $39.95 the next month. Called them again, and the operator said she could find no record of that charge and to fax them a copy of the credit card statement. Will do so and see what happens. DON'T GET INVOLVED IN THIS SCAM.
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    Hi,Yes I did same thing,this company took $ from my credit card$104. worth!!!
    Janet R
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    When I saw that my bank account statement had $39.95 charged on my debit card i nearly flipped out!!!!! BEWARE!!!! THIS IS A SCAM!!!! I NEVER GAVE THEM MY INFORMATION!!!!!! SO BE CAREFUL!!!!!

    I immediately called the bank for further guidance. The girl i talked to at my bank said that she has been getting tons of calls about this and that they should be on the news about what scam-artists they are soon. She said to call them and tell them you want to cancel and want your money refunded immediately. She also said that i could give my #'s on my bank card to her b/c they obviously had it already anyway. then call her back and we would cancel that card.

    i called ultimate search guide to find out how they got my info. and they immediately wanted to know my phone #, my full name, my address. i told the lady "no" i'm not giving out any of my info. and demanded she refund my $. She told me if i would not verify that info. that there was no way to help me. So i asked her to talk to someone else and he was no help of course.

    I STILL DON'T KNOW HOW THEY GOT MY INFORMATION. this is all new to me right now. All i do know is that i have a canceled bank card and i'm glad i caught it when i did.
    • ^
    • v
    the company says they send me a email but never received one
 

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