Nominet UK - my new penpal

Have you ever wondered what sceptics do on a Saturday evening?

Yes, so have I.

Wherever they went tonight, they didn't invite me along, so I've had time for another complaint-a-thon.

Nominet is the body which "registers" all UK websites whose URLs end with .co.uk

Non-trading individuals are allowed to opt out of having their names and addresses on display for all the world to see, but that privilege doesn't apply to professionals.

An anonymous contributor recently pointed out that Michele Knight had incorrectly opted out. I'm delighted to say that, having been informed, she quickly corrected her mistake.

It got me thinking, though - how many of the woos featuring on this site have also "forgotten" to comply with Nominet's regulations?

(Image credit - this isn't a real form)

The answer is four. And here they are!

UPDATE, 12 Apr: Nominet took all of fifty-two minutes to investigate all four complaints. They reply "[we] have issued notice to the registrant and registrar that the address details for the domain name will be opted in to the WHOIS unless changes are made so that the domain name meets the opt-out criteria." Hats off to Nominet!

Bill Sohan (see my original complaint)

"Bill Sohan uses this site to promote his 'Psychic Readings' service.
Readings are provided by post, and in person.
The site does not list fees, but asks for 'Contributions)'
(see http://www.billlynneharry.co.uk/faqs/how-do-you-support-yourself-then)
Paid advertisements for the service have appeared in "Nexus" magazine"

Vanessa Jones (see my original complaint)

"Vanessa Jones uses this site to promote her commercial "reflexology" healing service. The site lists her fees (http://www.reflexologybyvanessa.co.uk/prices.php)"

Liz Levelle (see my original complaint)

"Liz Levelle uses this site to promote her services as a homeopath and a naturopath.
The site list her fee as £90 per hour.
Paid advertisements for her services have appeared in "Kindred Spirit" magazine."

'Geoffrey Ronning' (see my original complaint)

"This site promotes a miracle weight-loss cure.
The package sells for £69."

The next time you visit a pseudoscientific or supernatural practicioner at a .co.uk address, don't forget to check that they've revealed their name and address.

If they haven't, here's the form to help them rectify their "error"!

*Liz Levelle - can't make up her mind

Liz Levelle has trained as a gardener, horticulturalist, organic farmer, naturopath, homeopath, EFT expert, Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Technique specialist, Jaffe Mellor therapist and Theta Healing Practicioner...

UPDATE, 3rd June: ASA report the advertiser has stated the advert will not be repeated.

(Image credit)

...I wonder how long it will be before she realises that quackery doesn't heal people?

Theta Healing is a new one on me. In the US, its proponents claim it has cured hundreds of cases of cancer. Luckily, most snake oil saleswomen in the UK have heard of the Cancer Act 1939.

Liz makes no specific claims about healing any named disease, either in the advert or on her website. Still, her advert troubles me, so I've complained to the ASA.

"I write to complain about an advert in “Kindred Spirit” magazine (March/April 2010, page 36), which promotes a "Theta Healing" service by Liz Levelle, a "Theta Practicioner & Naturopath".

I suspect that the advert is in breach of two sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code.

I have submitted a scan of the advert. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.

1. The CAP Code, Section 3.1, states "Before distributing or submitting a marketing communication for publication, marketers must hold documentary evidence to prove all claims, whether direct or implied, that are capable of objective substantiation."

2. The CAP Code, Section 50.1, states "Medical and scientific claims made about beauty and health-related products should be backed by evidence, where appropriate consisting of trials conducted on people..."

3. I challenge whether the advertiser holds documentary evidence to prove the claim that Theta Healing technique "achieves profound, instantaneous healing", and I challenge whether the claim is backed by evidence, where appropriate consisting of trials conducted on people.

4. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser, with the magazine, or with the publishing and alternative medicine industries in general. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine.

5. I confirm that I am happy to be identified as the complainant."