Your Dept.'s FCC license

[ntmd8r38]

I'm posting this for those of you who handle your Dept.'s radio license, our clerk received a letter from a company called Federal Licensing Inc. stating that our license was midway through the term and needed to be updated for any information changes, failure to do so will result in large fines,etc.

She gave me the paperwork and we did have some info that needed to be changed, I gave her the information and she typed it up, wrote the check for me to sign, as I was looking it over I noticed in small print at the bottom of the page NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE FEDERAL GOVT.

AFter checking a few things out we determined this was a scam, yes our license info needed to be updated, but there is no reason to pay these people to do it for you, it can be done for free by contacting FCC.

I talked with our local radio tech and he told me they do this all the time, they wanted $124 to file this form, he said after we filed that and sent the first check then we would likely get another bill from them stating that the original fee was just for admin costs and we owed them more money to finish the process. Anyhow I called the 888 number and told the lady I wanted them to remove us from their mailing list and to not contact us again, she made all manner of threats of turning us in, etc. until I told her I had already taken care of things with the FCC on their website. I then told I would pass this info to everyone I could and told her to have a nice day!

[cellblock]

Way to go. This sounds similar to companies who send me cards or emails about how they can update my Ham or GMRS radio licenses with teh FCC for a samll fee. Of course, It's free if I simply log onto the FCC website and do it myself. What a scam. Glad to see you weren't coned into sending the money.

[KenNFD1219]

I get the same mailing here from a couple of similar companies. One even uses Gettysburg, PA (FCC HQ) as a return address.

It is important not to let your radio license expires. A past chief let ours expires. The free renewal turned into a $1200 bill, a survey of the radio tower we used by the FAA, a mountain of paperwork, and lots of waiting.

Like Cellblock stated, renewals are free and easy to do online.

[ntmd8r38]

I'm still learning the ropes of the Admin side of all this, the guy that took care of most of this stuff was lost in a LODD last September, needless to say I've learned a lot the hard way but not this time!

I just wanted to pass this along so no one else falls victim to these theives.

[nmfire]

Yea. I get that crap from the FD and a private company I do radio work for. They are trying to scare / scam you out of your money. You did the right thing. I don't even bother confronting them about not sending it too us anymore. It just goes in the trash.

Always stay on top of your license. Ours was a mess and it took me forever to sort it out when I took over.

[jensam433]

i love google

just googled the name of those a******s who tried to scam you & found this on the US Postal Service site:

In the Matter of the Complaint Against:

FEDERAL LICENSING,
J.V., P.O. Box 776,
McLean, VA 22101-0776
INITIAL DECISION
This proceeding was initiated on May 16, 1988, when the Postal Service filed a Complaint alleging that Respondents Federal Licensing, J.V., Paul Damico, John Hertrick and National Systems, Inc., are engaged in conducting a scheme or device for obtaining money or property through the mail by means of false representations in violation of 39 U.S.C. § 3005. On August 12, 1988, Complainant filed an Amended Complaint adding Respondent Federal Licensing, Inc. Specifically, the Amended Complaint alleges in paragraph 5 that Respondents falsely represent, directly or indirectly, in substance and effect, whether by affirmative statement, implication or omission, that:

a. Federal Licensing, J.V., is affiliated with the United States Government or one of its agencies;

b. The fee paid to Federal Licensing, J.V., by a recipient of Respondents' circular for the renewal of a Federal Communications Commission (F.C.C.) license is the actual cost of renewing the license with the F.C.C.;

c. A renewal of a F.C.C. license can only be obtained through Federal Licensing, J.V.; and

d. The amount listed on the direct mail solicitation is due and owing...........

blah blah blah

This complaint is from 1988 !

Interesting they use a Gettysburg PA address....isnt that where the FCC Licensing people are ?

[rfdlou]

One of the good one’s

We had National License Corporation http://www.natl-lic.com/ secure a fireground frequency for our FD. Every thing was handled in a very professional manner. We received our amended license from the FCC programmed it into our radios and started using the new freq. Eleven months later we received a notice from the FCC that we have not notified them of the “build-out” date. They wanted to know that the new freq. was in use and the equipment was in place to use it. All that needed to be done was log onto the FCC site and click a box. The town holds our license and we don’t have the FCC password. The notice was passed on to the Town Administrator & we ASSumed it was handled. We get a call from National License and are told that the FCC placed our license in termination pending status due to build-out notification. National confirmed the freq is in use and filed an appeal on our behalf. Four months later we were removed from termination status. Had National License Corporation not acted we would have lost the license & been forced to cease using the freq, reapply, pay all fees and start from scratch. National License Corporation looked out for us at no additional charge.

[EFD840]

We get that same scam at least twice a year.

I wonder how many victims they snare each mailout?

[newbomb]

i didnt realize that the FCC liscense was taken so seriously. i know of a small department in another county that hasnt updated or renewed since the early 80's.

[Weruj1]

WOW !!!!!! I went to post and it never posted ! I aksed if anyone has the link to the FCC site to update or enter information ?

[rfdlou]

FCC site

Try this http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsS...rchLicense.jsp

[ntmd8r38]

To update this is the link you need, https://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/coresWeb/publicHome.do you will have to setup a password to login to the site

[Lewie1]

My department has recently applied for a new FCC license for a repeater. The first notice I got that anything was going forward with the request was a letter from Federal Licensing, INC. stating that we are required to "maintain a current copy of the FCC RULES AND REGULATIONS governing the specific operating service." Does anyone know if this is correct or if Internet access to the rules is legal? Federal Lincensing, INC wants to sell us a copy of the rules for $119.00. Based on the above posts, Federal will not get any money from me but I want to be in compliance if I need the rules.

Thanks,

Lewie

[nmfire]

My department has recently applied for a new FCC license for a repeater. The first notice I got that anything was going forward with the request was a letter from Federal Licensing, INC. stating that we are required to "maintain a current copy of the FCC RULES AND REGULATIONS governing the specific operating service." Does anyone know if this is correct or if Internet access to the rules is legal? Federal Lincensing, INC wants to sell us a copy of the rules for $119.00. Based on the above posts, Federal will not get any money from me but I want to be in compliance if I need the rules.

Thanks,

Lewie

Just throw away anything they send you. They will make anything up to gain a buck. No, you don't need a $119 rule book.

[ffexpCP]

I wonder how many victims they snare each mailout?

I'll bet quite a few. I know when I search the FCC ULS page, manytimes the contact person is some licensing company. Sometimes the freq is even licensed to a licensing company. It sure makes it a pain when I try to figure out what freqs are used for what.