Documentation scam

I've been documenting boats (3) for the past 27 years, and renewing every year when I received the letter stating it was time to renew. Evidently the last letter got lost in the mail or misplaced and my documentation has expired over 30 days ago. The letter from "U.S. Vessel Documentation" looked official with a website www.uscgdocumentation.us, and said I had to send $450.00 for "Reinstatement". Their website forms all appeared to be USCG forms. What got me thinking was their address was in California not Falling Waters, WV., so I pulled it up on my browser and sure enough it was the first one listed, but under it was the real Coast Guard site in Falling Waters. I called them and they confirmed that my documentation had in fact expired and that reinstatement cost was $85.00 and the form was on their website. Be aware of private interests that charge high fees for documentation, etc., when the real Coast Guard Vessel Documentation Center in Falling Waters, WV has a great website with all the forms and fees and is very reasonably priced.

I've never heard of the USCG sending out any overdue anything letters. My boat was on the hard for 34 months not getting repaired (another story) and never once did the USCG ask me about my documentation save the first renewal notice. Like the OP, I called my local folks and was given the same directions at the same price. The USCG were very easy to work with.

I guess all scammers aren't Nigerian billionaires needing to move money.

See here...http://clubsearay.com/showthread.ph...ENTATION-Company-Complete-Scam?highlight=Scam

Yep they've gotten a couple of us.... Not to that tune but still.

Well heck! Thanks for pointing this out. I'm getting ready to buy a boat and the lender is "offering" to do the documentation for $595. Seems the $84 fee might allow for some immediate/unexpected repairs or upgrades.