All this yelling and swearing about WidgetBucks bans. I can't possibly know what is legit or not, although the case of being banned for having a non-English site when the original terms did not prohibit that (as evidenced by archived web pages in the Way Back Machine) seems to be clearly a case of bait-and-switch fraud, which is illegal regardless of whether or not they intended to defraud at the outset. If you have a legit complaint you should do more than vent on this forum. Most state attorney generals are interested in pursuing dishonest businesses based in their states. So file a complaint with the Washington State Attorney General. Here's the link http://www.atg.wa.gov/FileAComplaint.aspx Some state attorney generals are very aggressive in pursuing scammers - New York really goes after them regardless of where they are based. So if you are a U.S. resident then also file a complaint with your own state's attorney general's office. But you better be sure you have a case, or you risk getting cooked for filing a false complaint. And if you file a complaint then stick to the facts and provide evidence, no swearing, be professional. Otherwise your complaint will be ignored. If there are a significant number of complaints the AG will most likely look into it. I would really like to see more networks be scrutinized by the authorities instead of feeling like they can just screw over small publishers with impunity.
Sure, that's standard. But retroactively applying changes in terms and using that as an excuse to confiscate earnings is fraud.
Yes. Making the change, and then bannering publishers AFTER A WEEK. They can easily defend it I think.
No, but changes do not apply retroactively. You still ower the money to the publisher before you made the change.
No. Once you are banned. All money is forfeit. Thats the rule will all the companies. Even with google.
That is fraud and it is illegal, at least in the U.S. I encourage anyone who has had this happen file a complaint as I mentioned in my first post.
Need a professional? New York residents, here is the link to the NY Attorney General's online complaint submission form. http://www.oag.state.ny.us/online_forms/complaint_alert.jsp I'm sure they can be definitive about whether this is fraud and actionable. And the NY AG's office tends to be very aggressive.
Then go for it. Lets see what can you do.. Also, google also does many such bans and forfeit the money, why don't take action against them as well? What do you say
I say people who have been banned fraudulently should go for it. I have not been banned, so I don't have a claim to file. But I want to hear from people who do more than just whine on this forum.