Comparison site hacked as web developer demands $3000 from digital agency Dcodr
Electricity and gas comparison site Goswitch.com.au has been hacked by a disgruntled website developer claiming they are owed almost $3000 by the owner of digital agency Dcodr.
Visitors to the site this morning were greeted with the message ‘Pay Up Jamie’ emblazoned across the home page.
The message goes on to say “Jamie at DCODR didn’t pay the developer of this site and has an outstanding balance of $2975.00”.
Rihanna’s music video for the song Bitch Betta Have My Money has also been added to the site, while one of the links on news section of the site has been changed to ‘Pay up Jamie’.
It is believed it is directed at Jamie Silver, managing director and founder of the Melbourne-based agency.
On its own website, Dcordr lists Go Switch as one of its clients along with Need It Now, Arts Centre Melbourne, Monash University, Victoria Racing Club and the Australian Automobile Association.
The Go Switch site was temporarily taken down for “scheduled maintenance” later in the morning and while the ‘Pay Up Jamie’ message was removed, the site reappeared with the Rhianna video still showing.
Soon after, a red banner appeared warning that “until the outstanding balance is paid in full the intellectual property that powers this site is being stolen”.
The site was subsequently taken down again for “maintenance” as the developer – who is believed to be based in the US – and agency battled to take control of the site.
Dcodr says of its web development services: “Design and development of sophisticated enterprise level websites and campaign microsites. We utilise a phased a waterfall project management methodology that comprises strategy, wire framing, design, development, testing and launch.
“And we favour open sources content management systems (WordPress, Drupal), which provide flexible, scalable, cost effective solution”.
Calls to Dcodr and Go Switch had not been returned at time of publication.
Update: 2.15pm
The Go Switch website appears to be back up after being hijacked earlier today.
If you’re not gonna pay your developer, at least change your password…
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As of 09:26 they still have their SEM active. Shame to be paying money for those clicks…
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Jeez – lucky they had maintenance scheduled for this morning. Ahaha
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Not a fan of events like this being classed as “hacking”.
If you give someone the keys to your house then they come back and rob you, did they break in or just open the door with the key?
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Assuming Jamie has tried multiple times to seek payment, I applaud this. Clients who don’t pay must be punished.
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Evan, I think you may have missed the message.
The developer was seeking payment from Dcodr for the work they did on GoSwitch, not Jamie seeking payment from Goswitch. Just unlucky for Goswitch to be caught in the middle.
There are two lessons here.
1) Business relationships built on mutual trust and distributive justice are sustainable and scalable.
2) Don’t be a dick. Pay your bills, especially if they know where you live and have your keys.
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The other interesting thing for clients here, is ‘do you really know who is doing the work that you are paying an agency to do?’
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Brilliant.
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It’s Rihanna, not Rhianna.
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Ugly situation. Everyone’s diving in demanding Jamie pay. I want to know his side of the story. Jamie is very good to deal with and there’s no way he just wouldn’t pay.
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hah!
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Maybe, just maybe this is yet again another crappy offshore developer wanting to actually get paid for buggering another job up!
Perhaps the Agency has reasons for not paying.
Or is this simply a disgruntled ex employer of the agency?
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Is this really news? Why do i bother reading this shit?
Time to unsubscribe haha!
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Excellent, on-topic, valuable contribution JL.
Looking forward to seeing more of your work in this forum.
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I am sure that I can help you. – Amit
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Appears to be back up now, at the same host, and sans demands!
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Wish I could do this with clients!
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Can’t wait for Roc Nation to issue a take-down notice for unauthorised use of Rihanna’s music. Maybe a fee of $2,975 would be appropriate.
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The little guy at the bottom of the chain hits back. Ouch:-)
It’s time Marketing Managers start asking who is REALLY doing the work. Fashion isn’t the only industry with sweatshops.
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The website developer is somewhat reckless, possibly a moron and could get his arse sued big time.
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Umm, Young Developer (am assuming you are quite young) – paying $70 or so to put in a claim at VCAT might have been a more professional way to handle the situation – if you want to work again.
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Against the law. https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/managing-your-money/managing-debts/dealing-with-debt-collectors
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Pixel Light/DCODR winner for data at the mumbrella 2012 awards.
For the Go Switch website.
Great work.
Check link: 2012http://www.mumbrellaawards.com.au/2012-awards/2012-results/
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Always get paid first.
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