HURRAY?

[ForumFriend]

Platte International leaves UK shores
I'm not sure if it's too early to celebrate yet, but this news should give some cause for celebration.

I think it is fair to say that Platte are clearly uncomfortable at the way things are going for them in the UK, and it is quite likely that all the complaints to the OFT, Trading Standards, and MPs have made them realise that they were unlikely to be able to get away with their business model for much longer.

While it may be too early to be sure how successful this forum has been, I think we can say that it has had significant influence on the issue.  Other consumers should take heart from this and be prepared to STAND UP FOR THEIR RIGHTS as citizens.

[matt_d]

Good news in itself, and presumably this means that all alleged outstanding debts are now null and void. It certainly offers one explanation as to Oriel and Platte were not pursuing payments.

It looks like it will be down to us to find a technical solution for complete removal of all traces of Platte's insidious software for those who paid the money, were given uninstallation instructions, yet for whom traces of the software still remain, given that Platte seemed unable to provide a satisfactory solution even when they were in business.

Perhaps more importantly, we need to be vigilantly on the look out for new companies springing up offering similar business models / services. Remember that, as far as we were concerned, Platte effectively sprung up after MBS ceased trading. Given Bateup & Cos directorship history, and that companies can be dissolved and new ones started very easily, don't be at all surprised if we start seeing similar complaints about "company x" in the near future.

Naturally, we'll keep this forum going for as long as issues like this continue to plague computer users.

(It's also worth bearing in mind that Platte is an international company, so we don't know what effect this may have on their European and worldwide operations. Also, the Internet is by natural global, so it could still be that unwitting computer users may end up with similar software on their computers, and be forced to pay in dollars or euros instead. The situation is still a little unclear - at least from my point of view).

[aquarius]

Excellent news.  Well done to all those who worked to achieve this.

Let's hope they don't come back under a new guise although I'm sure this site will be waiting for them if they do!

[Black Rat]

Yes, very good news.  I know some people, probably me included, wanted Plattes to take them to court to see what happened, but I'm certainly glad this could be over and save a lot of people  the worry and stress.  Well done to all concerned!

[jonlewi5]

wow, great news

guess we are all free to release removal methods

best news iv heard in a while.

So how long do we reckon till a new company comes about?

good work everyone!!!

[Ohlordy]

   Excellent News!  We were first contacted this lot last August/September - the usual letter demanding £29.99.   As we'd never heard of them, husband quizzed both teenage sons and it turned out one of them had accessed the site via his laptop (he was 15 at the time).  Husband then rang the number on the letter, explained the circumstances and said we would not be paying them a groat and that it was up to Platte to ensure that they had proper age screening procedures in place.

The person at the other end of the phone said in that case we must send them a certified copy of our lad's birth certificate!    Husband said, yes certainly, would you also like a copy of everyone else in the house's birth certificates, our marriage certificate, our bank account details, our mortgage deeds and our inside leg measurements as well? Honestly!  As if in this day and age of rampant identity theft, we're going to supply some dodgy company with our underage son's personal details! The call was ended along the lines of my husband telling them to get stuffed and we heard nothing more, forgot all about it and then about a week ago another letter arrived.  This was the one saying that we had to pay within seven days or else the matter was being passed to Oriel Collections, which would cost us another £25. 

I prevented husband from going into meltdown and reaching for the phone, and instead did some googling and found this excellent forum.  We decided to take the general advice on offer, i.e. sit tight and do nothing and under no circumstances contact the company again.  And then I got the e-mail today saying that they've ceased trading in the UK!  No way would we have paid them a single penny anyway, we'd have let them take us to court if necessary and show them up to be the grubby little operation they really are.  We don't entertain bullies or robbers (at least Dick Turpin had the decency to wear a disguise) and this is very, very welcome news.  I hope they go bust altogether.    Thanks for the forum and I'll continue to keep an eye on any further developments. 

[cosmosfairy]

 
Can I just thank you on this forum for your continued support to all victims of Platte Media, you have been a great help to many and I believe that without this site we would certainly not have seen the back of them. Well Done!!! May I suggest a wonderful programme, that is free, called Spybot they offer the download on line free of charge and only ask for donations if you are happy. After finally getting rid of Platte Media software I installed this and has helped me keep out many bad software infiltrations, it alerts you before you enter the site and has found malware where Norton & Windows Defender havnt. Once again thank you, time is precious and you have dedicated a lot of yours for this cause 

[DELBOY]

 

Glad to hear that Platte will be leaving our Country.

I last sent them a Registered letter dated 27 Feb 09,and that was actually signed for on 2 March 2009.  Like others, I did say that I was willing to go to Court, and would take my computer, and associated paperwork, including screen dumps with me.

To date I have not heard whether my new debt of £54.99, upgraded from the original £29.99, will be passed to Oriel as threatened.

Perhaps we will all be wiser in a few weeks time!

A huge 'THANK YOU' goes out to all those who fought Platte on this subject.

[Linda]

  Thank goodness - well done to my MP Martin Horwood for picking this up and all the other people who have all worked so hard to stop this company - and - a BIG THANK YOU TO FORUM FRIEND what a star - lets hope the Norwegians have their equivalent of you.

[tobias]

Hurray I am glad that hopefully we will not see Platte again Lets hope they go into liquidatiion it's just what
they deserve, after giving everyone that went onto thier website the stress and worry of their actions.
Good riddance .

[ForumFriend]

Thanks very much for these kind messages.  There are many people who've put a lot of time and effort into this issue, and in particular we should thank Michael Pollitt for not letting the issue die.  And I couldn't have set up this forum alone (not the techie type, I'm afraid!), and most certainly couldn't have run it alone.  So, very big thanks to Andy Merrett, Matt_d, and jonlewi5.  Then there have been a number of forum members who have been particularly proactive, both openly and behind the scenes.  What you've seen on the screen has been the tip of a pretty big iceberg.

But - let's not get complacent! I have a feeling this is a big milestone, but not necessarily the end of the road.

[brummielad]

i am a disabled user and i told platte that i was paying for nothing as i used nothing i even gave them the address of the nearest court to me as i was very happy to sort it out in a court of law i had told police and trading standards so well done everyone it has made me aware of the scams on the internet so will be even more vigilant it is thanks to sites like yours that gave me the will to fight so a massive thank you

[Steve]

This great news will, I hope, stop the thoughts about Platte coming into my mind. Have not heard from them or Oriel for about two months now but at least I might be able to turn on the computer without wondering if they have written again!!
Thanks to all of you out there, it's great to know we are not alone 

[ScumHater]

Brilliant news - Well done to all involved.
I could write a whole page of thank you's but I think everyone has already done that. 

[Mister Cinema]

Thank you Forum Friend, Thank you MIchael Pollitt, Thank You EVERYONE involved.

I managed to clear all traces of Platte from my PC several months ago -- don't remember when or how, but it worked -- and what a relief, even although I'd no intention of sending them a bawbee. Good to know other victims won't be bothered now. Life really IS too short to waste time dealing with infuriating cowboys. What a pity OFT decided it was all legal and above board.    Ha!!