Misuse of name--is this fraud?

[Medici1]

What is the name of your state? WEst virginia

The situation:
A friend of mine was in a start up company that
specializes in proof-editing admissions essays for highschool
students. As a favor to my friend, I talked briefly to the team to
learn more about their business as it became clear they were
interested in having me on their team. However, I wasn't so much
interested in joining them but I wanted my friend to succeed with her
start up and volunteered 2 or 3 hours out of my day to help proof-edit
2 essays. I never signed up for any payroll or employment with my
friend and her colleagues. My friend eventually parted ways with the
start up and left on pretty sour terms with the rest of the group a
few months later. I've never been in contact with the group since...

Fast forward to the present. I decided to google my
name and lo and behold--I see that I am listed on as a part of the
management team for the company!

I was not notified of this, nor did I ever agree to it. Not only is
the use of my name for their company a pretense but the information
they placed on their is incorrect!

I contacted my friend to get the email address of the person who is in
now in charge of the company and emailed him yesterday--telling him to
remove my name from the site. It was a short and sweet note, but then
I realized they may also falsely list me in some promotional
materials. So I had my friend email them with the addendum that they
should take my name from any other business or promotional materials.

I have yet to hear from anyone associated with this company and my name is
still on the website.

Any advice on how I should proceed? I talked to some friends who are
technically-savvy and they said removing data from a website is a very
simple and quick procedure. I talked to my friend and she mentioned
that given the shady characters involved, they will probably keep my
name on the site for as long as possible. I think it clear these
people have no consideration of what using my name in this way could
do to my reputation and my professional career and it is in poor service to mislead their clientele.

I have been very careful to not be a victim of identity theft, but
ironically, I have become a victim of professional identity theft! Is there a name for this--fraud?

What are the legal measures or options I can take in my case, as well as any precedents or proceedings I can use to support me?What is the name of your state?

 

[cbg]

Hmmmm.... you e-mailed him yesterday and today, when it's not even noon on the East coast as I answer this, your name has not yet been removed.

Not everyone checks their e-mail hourly, particularly on the weekend. Don't you think your expectations of the speed at which they can even notice your request, let alone get the website updated, are maybe a tad excessive?

You have not explained what damages you have been caused, or even anticipate, by having your name on this website. Not to the point why I can understand what your hurry is, at any rate.

Give them a chance!

 

[Medici1]

Shady business dealings is one of the reasons my friend parted ways with the company--I certainly do not want to be associated with that. Also, the information on that website associated with my name is incorrect. For example, they claim I attended an Ivy League university for undergrad--which I did not! I am applying for schools next and coincidentally it to the school they claim I attended...can you imagine the legal ramifications against me as a result if this school finds out? All because they want to make themselves look better they are not thinking of the damage it will do to my reputation beyond their company. Also, the certain sector of the job market I work has very strict rules and regulations regarding outside work--what if my current employer sees my name attached to this company and assumes I'm on their payroll (which I am!) I stand to lose more out of this than they do! They have stolen my name and I want to know what legal rights I have to make sure all proper and protective actions are taken. Please help!

Thanks

 

[Medici1]

Sorry--I was re-reading the previous post I made and notice I forgot the letter "T" in parenthesis so it should read as ("i am not!"). I AM NOT ON THIS COMPANY'S PAYROLL!

for the record

 

[Zigner]

Maybe it's not you - just someone with the same name. I mean, you never attended the schools shown for the guy on the web site!

 

[Medici1]

No, it's definitely me. This is a small start and I have a very unique name, which is culturally specific.

I need to know some legal terms that fit my case here--when I have my consultation meeting with the lawyer, I want to start from a knowledgeable place.

Again--any pointers? Is this technically "fraud" or "libel"?

Thanks!

 

[Zigner]

No, it's definitely me. This is a small start and I have a very unique name, which is culturally specific.

I need to know some legal terms that fit my case here--when I have my consultation meeting with the lawyer, I want to start from a knowledgeable place.

Again--any pointers? Is this technically "fraud" or "libel"?

Thanks!

Sarcasm doesn't come through easily sometimes...
You have no damages. Give them a chance to respond, but I wouldn't sweat it too much either way.