artists_beware | BEWARE: SkillCountry.com (Reply)

I hesitated to post this at first, relunctant to give these people any kind of traffic and/or attention, negative or otherwise. But I think other artists should know of what they are doing. I am also not sure if it will be fitting for this comm, but I could not think of a better place to warn fellow artists about this website.

TO SUMMARIZE: SkillCountry.com will send you an email to inform you that they created a profile in your name on their website without asking your permission. To do this they will lift artwork and text from your own website or portfolio, and effectively make said profile look as though YOU created it and wrote it. They will send you a password, as well (gee, thanks?) I personally did not log in to the account.

There is an email to which you can write to request deletion of the profile (support@skillcountry.com.) I did so, but I am so angry and indignant about their boldness in using my images, name and text so blatantly for their company's benefit, that I wanted everyone to know so they can avoid them. I feel as though I've been impersonated on their site. Really cannot imagine how these people think these are good business practices.

Today I found the following email on my inbox (my email address is displayed on my portfolio so my clients can contact me so there is no point in me blocking it out, but I did block out the password):

As stated above I did email them requesting that my information be removed within 24 hours, before I am forced to take whatever legal measures they make necessary. On that idea, I am pretty sure what these people are doing has to be illegal? Since they are reposting my artwork without permission.

Here is a screencap of the profile in question, ~~still live here at the time of this post. All images can be clicked to their full size in the live profile.~~ (UPDATE: IT HAS SINCE BEEN REMOVED)

Just something to keep in mind, if you are thinking of making a profile on this site, do consider that they have no qualms about using your stuff and name for their purposes of filling their site with artist profiles. Avoid them.

UPDATE: THEY REMOVED MY UNAUTHORIZED PROFILE. It was fairly prompt (same day I emailed my request) though I am still pretty peeved they would do this in the first place. This was their reply:

Thank you for contacting SkillCountry Support Team and we regret the inconvenience caused to you. Now we have removed your profile from our website. In case if you have any further clarification please feel free to contact us and we will be glad to assist you. Best regards,
Team SkillCountry