Did you receive an email from Satscams about DISH Network?

Did you receive an email from Satscams attaching a letter from Nagrastar about DISH Network? Nagrastar is the entity used by DISH Network to curb piracy of DISH Network programming. It owns the domain satscams.com from which it operates a website and sends out emails to people it accuses of pirating its signals. Many people receive emails from Satscams or Nagrastar unexpectedly and do not know what to do. The purpose of this blog entry is to answer some frequently asked questions about these satscams emails

Is the email from Satscams a scam?

The word “satscams” itself sounds like a scam, but, sadly, it is not. I don’t know why Nagrastar chose the name “Satscams” for its domain; maybe no other domain it wanted was available. Regardless, it is legitimate. Since 2015, we have represented more than 200 people whom DISH Network or Nagrastar has accused of satellite piracy. I can assure you that the letters from Nagrastar — and emails from satscams — are very real.

I have had several clients who said that when they first received the email from Satscams or Nagrastar they deleted it, thinking it was someone trying to collect money from information obtained off the internet. Healthy skepticism is a good thing; there are many scammers out there. As with anything, it’s good to verify. This question is so common that Nagrastar on its own website tells people that it is not a scam. Nagrastar also, however, tells you you don’t need an attorney. (More on that below.)

Are you a scam?

One client said, “I am not even sure if you are legit since I found this [you] on the internet searching satscam.” I can confidently answer: I am not a scam. My name is Cynthia Conlin, and I am an attorney licensed by the Florida Bar. You can see my Florida Bar profile here. This is my law firm, which I have run since 2010. We are located in Orlando, Florida. I have no affiliations or associations with Nagrastar or DISH Network, and I do not, nor have I ever, represented them.

I’ve been practicing law since 2007 and am a proud graduate of Florida A & M University College of Law. I also have a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Central Florida. I practice only in civil matters, primarily civil litigation, with concentrations including infringement of intellectual property and defamation. I am admitted to all federal courts in Florida and the Eleventh Circuit. I’m a member of the Orange County Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association. You can find me on Twitter here.

What is in the letter from Nagrastar?

The letters have changed over the years, but generally contain the same elements. They are often sent in the email from Satscams and sometimes via postal mail. First, they start by addressing it to you, personally, and include your address and/or email address. Then it may say something like:

This correspondence is sent on behalf of DISH Network LLC and NagraStar LLC (collectively “NagraStar”) to individuals who receive DISH Network pay-television programming without authorization. The illegal reception of DISH Network pay-television programming occurs through the use of signal theft devices and pirate Internet Key Sharing (“IKS”) servers accessible via the internet.

NagraStar has obtained business records from an individual who sold IKS passcodes for pirate television services. These business records establish that you purchased one or more IKS passcodes, which provided you with unauthorized access to DISH Network television programming and decryption. codes needed to descramble that programming without payment of a subscription fee to DISH Network. Enclosed for your reference is some of the evidence that has been gathered, including the payment transaction information for your purchase and use of the IKS passcodes.

Then, usually, the letter in the email from Satscams contain a table showing information from a credit-card or Paypal transaction. This information is generally the most alarming because it contains real information. It may be from a date so long ago you don’t even recall, such as back in 2014, but you may recognize the credit-card number or other information. It will then go into some legal arguments, then it will present a demand for money, often $3500 but sometimes more.

How did Nagrastar get my information?

Nagrastar goes after a lot of people for its claims. When it finds an entity or person that is selling IKS passcodes, It often pursues them until it either enters into a settlement agreement or obtains an injunction against them. As part of the settlement agreement or injunctive relief, the other party will often be required to provide Nagrastar with information, including whom it sold the IKS passcodes to and the transaction information, which his how it got the information that it shares in the letter.

In my experience, the information in the letter is usually not everything Nagrastar has. They almost always have more. In the letter, they do not show all their cards but rather just enough to get your attention.

Should I do what Nagrastar says?

On its website, Nagrastar says, in relevant part:

To avoid litigation and a possible lawsuit, it is extremely recommended that you call one of the numbers listed on your letter. Please call [their number] or email us at [their email address]. One of our associates will gladly speak to you in either English or Spanish during 8 AM – 4 PM Mountain Time (UTC – 07:00). Choosing to ignore this letter will result in your referral to our legal team. This usually leads to a lawsuit, which results in a judgement that is public record. In court, every illegal purchase made can carry a hefty fine of up to $10,000. It is in your best interest, as well as NagraStar’s, to settle this matter outside of court with a pre-suit settlement offer to avoid heavy fines and to keep this matter confidential.

First — you’re likely already scared because, essentially, the email from Satscams comes off as a threat. If you, being already scared, call Nagrastar, it will not be difficult for them to pressure you into agreeing to pay a settlement and signing a settlement agreement that is written very much in their favor. However, ignoring it is also not a good idea. In any case, Nagrastar is not the best person to tell you what is in “your best interest” because it is only looking after its own best interest. Which brings me to the next question:

Do I need an attorney?

Nagrastar’s website also says, “You do not need a lawyer to settle this matter with NagraStar.” Technically, that is true because the only thing you truly “need” to do in life is die; everything else is optional.

OK, but should I hire an attorney?

I usually don’t like too tell clients what they should do because I want them to make that decision on their own. However, if you become my client, I will tell you your options and help you best evaluate any risks and make the best decisions. I look out for my clients as best as I can and present their position in the best way possible. Other benefits of hiring an experienced attorney represent you against Nagrastar include:

• We, your attorneys, will communicate with Nagrastar for you as your legal representative, and once we have told them that we represent you, they will direct their future communications to us. Otherwise, if you choose to represent yourself, you will be communicating with Nagrastar directly, and anything you say to them could be used against you in a court of law. (Nagrastar does ultimately file lawsuits against some people.)
• We will analyze your matter and determine whether your unique factual circumstances (because every case is different) gives rise to any legal defenses, and, if so, we will raise them to Nagrastar during our negotiating.
• We look at your matter holistically, including not only your factual circumstances and legal defenses, but also consider what financial hardships you may be experiencing, and we use all these factors when negotiating.
• If you reach a settlement with Nagrastar, we will review their proposed settlement agreement and suggest changes or edits to it that will be in your best interest. A settlement is a voluntary agreement, and Nagrastar is not a government entity (even though they may sometimes act like it), and we ensure that any settlement you agree to is reached voluntarily and that you’re not being forced into anything.
• We work to settle the case for the lowest amount possible, which varies from case to case depending on your unique circumstances. In every instance where we have negotiated a settlement agreement on behalf of a client, we managed to save the client money while protecting their interest. In just about every instance the client paid less money overall, including payment of our fees, than they would have paid had they just called Nagrastar like the letter says.
• In most cases, we work for a flat fee, except in a few cases, such as those involving litigation, where we bill for our time based on hourly rates. In any case, though, our fees are always reasonable.
• We are considerably experienced in this area, having represented more than 200 clients in pre-suit negotiations against Nagrastar. We have abundant experience litigating in federal courts, and are also among a small handful of attorneys nationwide who represent defendants accused in federal court of downloading content via BitTorrent.
• Your communications with your attorney are privileged and confidential, and protected from disclosure.
• Dealing with these matters is inherently stressful. Part of our job, as your attorneys, is to shoulder the stress for you. Many clients find that the first immediate benefit is a feeling of relief knowing that they have hired someone who can help them

How can I talk to someone about the email from Satscams?

For more information or to discuss your matter, please call us at 407-965-5519 or fill out our online contact form. Your reading this blog does not create an attorney-client relationship. Our firm does not represent you unless and until you have signed our retainer agreement and any applicable legal fees are paid. All initial conversations are general in nature. We look forward to helping you with your matter.