Drone Registration Scam Sites

10 comments

Shortly after the drone registration task force announced their recommendations to the FAA, fake registration websites began to appear. These sites are scamming model pilots to register in an attempt to steal personal and credit card information. Many of these fake sites look credible or appear to belong to the FAA. The FAA recently warning pilots to avoid sites that offer paid services assisting model pilots in the registration process in a post at https://www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=84245. Reports to the AMA about these scamming sites have increased since the FAA UAS Registration site launched on December 21.

As a reminder, the AMA suggests members hold off on registering with the FAA until advised by the AMA or until the FAA’s legal deadline of February 19. We are continuing to pursue legal and political remedies to address the registration requirement. You can learn more at https://amablog.modelaircraft.org/amagov/2015/12/17/hold-off-on-registering-model-aircraft/.

Thank you,
AMA Government Relations Team

10 comments

  1. Is AMA’s insurance carrier going to cover an un-registered model aircraft that crashes into a spectators car or a club members car? The FAA says failure to register can result in penalties and fines. Is there a clause in the fine print of the insurance that states they will not insure damage for criminal actions! Has the AMA concluded that AMA insurance carrier will cover an un-registered aircraft! Did not see that in the above statement.

    This is what the FAA says:
    Effective December 21, 2015, anyone who owns a small unmanned aircraft of a certain weight must register with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) registry before they fly outdoors. FAA Says BEFORE they fly OUTDOORS! No mention of Feb 19th, 2016.
    FAA also says: You will be required to have your FAA registration certificate in your possession when operating your unmanned aircraft.
    And FAA says; . Failure to register an aircraft may result in regulatory and criminal sanctions. The FAA may assess civil penalties up to $27,500. Criminal penalties include fines of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment for up to three years. Is this not correct?
    Plus; It will cost $5 when registering after the 21st of January 2016.
    I guess anyone can fly an un-registered model aircraft at their own risk?.

  2. Really….Seriously….and Mr. Foxx and Mr. Huerta still think its ok to put ages, addresses, phone and c/c information out there. What an unnessesary mess they have made.

  3. This scum bags got my info… name, address and phone number … fortunately I realized this was no official site (but a scam) before entering my Credit Card information.
    federaldroneregistration.com

    Because if you type “drone registration” in Google and they pop up first, it is easy to get into that site and not read all the fine print with lighter fonts (all done in purpose)

    It is very sad that people take advantage of the confusion and it may be legal to register that web site, and to do a page that looks “official” and scam the public… but it is not right! I reported this to the FAA but I doubt there is much they can do about it. I am not sure AMA can do much about this either… other than what you are doing by alerting the public.

    1. I just checked the scam site you mentioned. While I think they are “xxxxxxxxxxx’s” they do state that they are a “premier” service. They don’t actually state any untruths (that i could tell) I did include in my questions, why they wanted the specific drone info, date of purchase, retailer etc … and how much the final cost to me, their “client” would be. I can’t wait for their response

      1. UPDATE –

        I did not access the “home page” until just now and the lies/misinformation/errors on their website start there. They state –
        “The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) now requires every drone owner to register each drone that is purchased weighing over .55lbs. If your drone is NOT registered you may be subject to the consequences defined in the pending U.S. Government drone regulation terms.”

        The FAA does not require you to register any drone, no matter how many you have. You are registering yourself.

        You should also be aware the part where you enter your Name, address and everything except your CC info is a non secure, non encrypted non HTTPS connection and anybody can see what you are sending and therefor the “we respect your privacy and protect you info” statement means DIDDLE, as far as that information is concerned.

        Also be aware in the “Terms of Use” you agree to by using their service, you understand that anything that they do could be wrong, unreliable and not produce any results that they may claim you can achieve anywhere on their website.
        WHAT?

  4. My friend registered. He sent me a copy of his registration certificate . Is this legitimate?

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