The latest stealth scam to steal web traffic and content

In a Google Image search today, I noticed something odd. My photo was credited properly, but another company had attached itself - leech-like - to my website's original name Paris Parfait. So when visitors click on the link to Paris Parfait, the dodgy company's url replaces my own website's url! Is there no end to these desperate attempts of spammers and scammers to draw traffic to their own dubious sites by stealing someone else's work??!!

Here's a screenshot of the Google Image search page results (click image to enlarge):

This is a screenshot of the photo on my website, with the proper url indicated.

You'll notice that the Google Image search page's second mention of Paris Parfait has the rogue website's url replacing my website's actual link. When you click on "Paris Parfait," you get my website - but with the hijacking company's url replacing my own (as shown in the screenshot below).

Needless to say, I've written a "Cease and desist" letter reporting this suspect company to its site and server hosts (of course, the dodgy company is hiding behind proxy server hosts, but it appears to be autorecoveryinsurance.com, based in Maryland). And I will take any and all action necessary to see that this company operating as http://autorecoveryinsurance.com/anthropology-store-coupons-14.com or autorecoveryinsurance.com - and trying to piggyback its way through my web traffic and content - is suspended. Adding fuel to the fire, the same hijacking company has attached its url to more of my photos - again, trying to steal traffic and content (click screenshot to view detail).

My photo as it originally appeared on my website, with the correct url listed.

And yet another instance of this same trickster hijacking my site's url, associated with a Google Image search of my copyrighted photo. Who knows how many more such instances are out there?

Vigilance, my friends, vigilance! It seems thieves are everywhere these days, plotting and scheming how to profit and gain from other people's work.

Comments

[jeanie]

Good grief, Tara. It's everywhere, isn't it? I think you are the one-woman vigilante. Good for you ceasing and desisting... I hope it works.

[Marilyn]

My goodness, but vigilance is needed every step of the way.