Many months ago we wrote a series of articles on the penny auction sites BidPax, BidVoo, and iPennyBid. We first found iPennyBid.com, and told you that it was of our opinion that they appeared to have bot bidders, soon after our initial posting we received a legal threat from them.
Then, we kept seeing negative comments from readers and iPennyBid was eventually gone, they closed “due to licensing reasons” here in the US, but we don’t think this stopped them from continuing their penny auction business. Shortly thereafter, we found their new sites, BidPax.com and BidVoo.com.
Not only were there negative comments on iPennyBid.com from angry users that never won anything, they even required users to scan in their ID cards. [pullquote]Be cautious of scams requiring you to provide your personal information.- IC3 – Identity Theft Prevention Tips:[/pullquote]
“iPennyBid being unable to verify or authenticate user identity using reasonable endeavours, then iPennyBid may ask users to provide photo ID, proof of address and other documentation as iPennyBid requires. Should such proof not be provided, iPennyBid has the rights to suspend or permanently remove such unverified user accounts and withdraw any auctions won by such users.”
After iPennyBid.com closed down, on the two new sites, BidVoo and BidPax, we were not able to see anything here in the US other than a page with Google ads on each, but our international readers were able to and they sent us screenshots showing that both ran auctions, and many simultaneously.
Now it looks like iPennyBid/BidVoo/BidPax is open again, this time with a new name, IceBidz.com
Today we received a comment in our forum from a reader, he said:
“Hey all, I just found icebidz.com and was wondering if anyone has any experience with it, good or bad. I bought some bids, but think I may have been ripped into a scam. Serves me right for jumping in I guess. The company gives an address in Sydney, and is hosted in Singapore, but I can’t tell if its legit.
Wondering if I should waste my time even using my remaining bids as from what I am reading here for every proper penny auction site there are another 2 that are dodgy. Did I just waste $66? How can you know if it is real or not?”
First of all, we knew Singapore sounded familiar (BidPax.com was hosted in Singapore), we then checked out IceBidz.com, if you’re in the US, you’ll only see a page with Google Ads that says:
“IceBidz – Bid, Win and Save! IceBidz provides exciting auctions of brand new products. Save up to 93% on new LCD-TVs or up to 95% on Game Consoles. This is your new home for entertainment shopping!”
Now, the page with the Google ads was definitely familiar, in fact, nearly the exact page we saw on BidPax.com many months ago.
We then viewed the source code and put their Google Analytics code: UA-11026471-1 into adsspy.com, what did we find? Sure enough, Bidpax.com.
Where is IceBidz Really Located?
With the help of two of our international readers we were able to receive current screenshots of IceBidz.com. It’s interesting to note that the address on the Australian site is much different from the site that our reader in Nicaragua sees, in Nicaragua IceBidz.com displays the address as being in Hong Kong, in Australia the address reads:
Our other reader sees an entirely different address:
“Yuen Shing Ind. Bldg. 1033,
Yee Kuk West Street,
Cheung Sha Wan,
Kowloon, Hong Kong”
IceBidz.com, just like iPennyBid/BidPax/BidVoo, are using Plimus as their payment processor, it also says they accept payment via PayPal.
Whois.DomainTools.com/icebidz.com shows the IP location for icebidz.com, “Singapore Vodien Internet Solutions Pte Ltd, Asia Pacific Network Information Centre- Milton, Queensland”
Previously, BidPax.com posted their location as:
Asia Pacific HQ
9 Hoi Shing Road
Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong
BidVoo, on the other hand, posted an address to a car lot in California and a contact in Canada.
BidVoo.com claimed to be Bidvoo, Inc., at the time we checked with the Secretary of State Bidvoo was not a real, active corporation in the state of California) The address that they posted was 4365 Lincoln Blvd, Marina del Rey, Los Angeles, CA 90292
IceBidz displays photo testimonials of smiling people from all over the world, yet none of the photos show anyone with actual items won.
- Luke & Sarah from Sydney said: “We were skeptical at first, but after several tries we won! Took delivery of new plasma today – Superb!”
- Ahmad from Malaysia, “I am still trying to get to know my iPhone that arrived yesterday! I can’t believe the price I paid for it!”
- “Thank you so much! I still cannot believe it” Melissa from Brisbane“,
- Deepa from New Delhi, India, “Hello and may I extend my sincere gratitude for the Apple Macbook. It is perfect.”
Awhile back we also told you how, this is in our opinion, that it seemed that BidPax had created a fake user testimonial blog entitled “BidPax Scam,” (for when users would search BidPax Scam they would find the positive review site). We also found it interesting that the only two users to comment here telling us they received items were on proxied IP addresses.
Icebidz.com has an Alexa ranking of 380,564, 21,884 in India, 5,623 in Australia, 19,596 in New Zealand, and 25,675 in Malaysia.
It is of our opinion that it looks to us as if iPennyBid, BidPax and BidVoo, seeing as there were so many complaints about them online, many of them were posted here, probably just saved their penny auction script and just moved on to a new domain name, this time IceBidz.com.
View our previous posts on iPennyBid, BidPax, and BidVoo and check out the comments to see what others’ experiences have been.
Related posts:
and 
Could BidNuke’s Name Be Fitting? We Found What Appears to Be Phony Video Testimonials
{ 51 comments… read them below or add one }
I'm glad I went looking for a review on IceBidz and found your site. What sounded too good to be true obviously is. It also seems that Facebook will let anyone advertise on their site!
Thanks for stopping by Myf, check out the forum!
Me too Myf! I thought it'd be legit seeing as they provided the Aussie address, even if it was just a PO Box number but I'm glad I digged around for a review first. Thanks!
btw, I found them on facebook too
Interesting.. Have you actually found any bot bidders? I've been trawling the net and can't find any solid proof.
I can't seem to access the site from here either.
Wish i had stumbled on to these reviews before investing my hard earned cash into this scam. I check out the sight and it look legit and got caught up in the bid. I've made the necessary complaints to econsumer.gov and also the Australian Authorities. Feel like such a fool and hope this is a lesson for everyone out there.
Thanks for your site, was trying to convince the gf that icebidz.com sounded too good to be true, but I finally showed her your site and she finally believed me, saved us both a lot of headache…
FYI,here's something that may assist you when you're examining the scams that claim to have an office/address in australia, you can search to see if a company registered to trade under that name on a government website. By Australian law, any company trading in Australia must be registered with the Australian Security and Investments Commission. Their website is http://www.asic.gov.au
You can search to see if a business name is registered using the boxes in the right hand column of the site. Hope this helps!
hay i'm so glad i searched on here for you guys.. thanks so much for the work you put into this…
i have been ripped off by swipe bids.. they have accessed my account many times without approval,, taking me for over $400
now i came across here,, seen the sydney adress thought woohoo found a great company.. hello..i researched first this time.. yeah
anyways does ANYONE KNOW AN ACTUAL SITE THAT IS LIGIT???
Thanks for stopping by! Check out our penny auction forum!
David, please take a look at the previous posts on ipennybid, the bidding patterns, names, volume & users experiences really made us think that they did.
I am in South Africa, and have just found Icebidz advertised on facebook, I took several screenshots if you need them, of the page source, and contact details.
They appear to have sprung up in Cape town now.
This was their entry website which I got to by clicking the facebook sidebar ad
http://www.icebidz.com/auctions/view/Njg5/iPhone-…
This is where you can look at my screenshots, but I can send them on in a higher resolution if you would like. http://s737.photobucket.com/albums/xx20/JustApple…
Jo
Thank you very much for the screenshots Jo. Please check out our forum! We're running a giveaway for free bids and gift cards from a few penny auction sites that we and forum members have tried and have received items from.
hello, i've also been watching IceBidz for a while now and finally decided to buy some bidz to try but luckily I found this before I buy! I've been a customer of another auction site which is legal and real and more exciting. I've bought a fee debit cards from it. Check this out: http://www.dubli.com/
just wanted to say thankyou
you saved my ass.
bloody dodgie websites
Thanks again most appreciated
Thanks heaps guys! I knew it was too good to be true…
Facebook really to check who they let advertise *shaking fist*
Hi,
I also found that website over facebook. I started to google for reviews before I register somewhere like on that website.
Great job,
Thanks a lot
Thank you! I just saw their ad on Facebook too (*shake fist* What's next, ads for me winning the lottery?!). Thought it looked too good to be true, and very relieved I found your site before I wasted any more time on their's.
What a scam. How come they are still operating? I find this very disturbing. I'm not on Facebook but how can they advertise something so corrupt?
Likewise, as above…just about jumped in and found your review…phew. Thank you for such a well written article and taking time to protect us.
Thank you, I 'm glad I checked! Seeing the Paypal really made me think it was legit! How does that work anyway?
I found this on facebook and had never heard of anything like it. Seemed like fun so I "bought" some bids without investigating anything. Stupid me! Anyway, won't bother with it again. Thanks for your confirmation that it was too good to be true. Facebook should remove the ad/link ….
I am truly sorry to all of you who have been swindeled by icebidz.com and their judgement day will come hopefully sooner than later! Now, with that said I have found a fairly new penny auction site called http://www.emaja.com that is truly a unique concept. Their auctions have definite start and end times(no resetting of a timer), winners are determined by a points system instead of a highest bidder, there is a cash-out option that can be chosen from any auction won that is worth 80% of the retail value of the product, and various other perks. Check out the site http://www.emaja.com see what you think. I registered for free (maja4me36) and received 5 free bid credits!
hey guys if you paid by credit card you can get your money back . just contact you back and they will investigate
HI, Yes, What a scam. I only came through to the site because Facebook introduced it and as they are the largest Friggin company I thought they would be doing all they can to protect their people. How dissapointing!
Hi all
Thank God I only wasted a minimal amount of money! Another fraudulent part of this site is that bidders using "bid buddies" frequently use 60, 70 or 80 bids in a row despite the site stating you can only use 50. I seriously can't believe I let myself get sucked in!
I too, got sucked into this scam. is it true that you can reclaim your money if paid by credit or debit card?
I so wish I had read this first!!!! I started looking for reviews after spending hours watching the auctions and trying to win one… the going going gone is erratic and I noticed that similar names start appearing in auctions as soon as one is over, and started to think why would that person be using up so many bid buddies again… Anyhow it seems more like a gambling site than a legit auction sight. Should have realised too good to be true is just that… sadly I paid by paypal.. I suppose that is wasted money then?! DON”T GO THERE!! Don’t suppose they have a refund policy?! ….
You can always call the number in Australia (61-2-80034230) and vent on their answer phone, eventually it will fill up with messages and do their heads in for a change. I got a phone call reply from them after reading this first (so didn't get screwed) and by $@#* they got an earful! I ring them regularly (its free for me) just to keep them reminded about the fact that they are a Bunch of Arseholes, helps me and must annoy them (oh dear never mind). Get into them… its a great way of relieving stress….. hahaha good job.
Yes I have lost money also on this site , is it true you can get your money back if you paid through paypal? Some people have no care for others , and it is too good to be true!
hi i wish id seen this site even just a few hours ago as i have just wasted most of my morning trying to win stuff and i have paid $168 bucks for nothing hopefully i wont ever be as dumb again
I found a site called quibids.com. the give an address in oaklahoma city.
Is the same scam?
If you have paid with a credit card, call your card provider and request a refund!
yes i did lost money to icebidz, i realized that there are number of dodge bidders
taking turn in and out as far as you could bid until you run out of your bids,then item won by their own set up members. They refused giving me the winner and bidders that competed with me all night. And challenge me take legal action.
i sucked into this scam because saw the Address in sydney.
I paid by credid card too.
Has any one tried the bank and get the refund back?
Should we report this to police for Investigation? any suggestion?
I got sucked in too but I lodged a dispute with Paypal and my credit card company and got my money back! For anyone who bought bids where the Sydney PO Box address is visible – you definitely have grounds to have the transaction reversed. There is no Icebidz, icebidz.com nor Icebidz Entertainment Shopping Inc. registered as a business name in Australia and therefore it is illegal for them to trade while listing an Australian address. ALSO the 'Inc.' part of their 'business' name is extremely questionable. Please everyone who has been ripped off – DISPUTE! Get your money back from these dirtbags! I did!
Found the advert. for a New Zealand IceBidz site as a Google ad. in my email today. Thank goodness I Googled for a scam and found your site! You're doing a great job! Keep up the good work!
Andy, NZ
I to fell into the trap, if it seems to good to be true it most likly will be a scam if on the net. I have put in a dispute with my bank ETA 4-6 weeks will advise on outcome. good luck to me and a truck load of bad luck to icebidz.
Maybe I should just suck it up for being an idiot.
Thank you for all the work you put into researching this…has made it really easy for a IT numpty like me to check out if this company was for real. Like I always say…if it is too good to be true…it usually isn't!
Like others above the ad came up on Facebook…they need to be a littl emore careful as to who they promote.
Good work guys.
NZ
Cheers for guys, I was just about to buy some bids and then realized that I should look into it. Thank god I did.
I clicked on the ad link on ebay!!
Thanks for being there, like Mark, I’m very grateful to find this site before I actually bought bid package.
At the very least, it seems the way Icebidz is set up, for every winner there are a lot who miss out and spend a lot of their hard-earned cash in the process.
Was definitely skeptical when I first saw them, because based on the prices of the items going, you never had to use more than 700 to 800 bids to secure the item ie. 46″ Samsung TV, and my country 1000 bids cost $500.. Then I found another site sharkybids.com, and what do you know, exactly the same!!! Thats when I knew they were dodgy!!
Hi all! Wished i've read this site before i bought bids
I tried to dispute with paypal and my bank..no luck..paypal's respond was because the item i bought was intangible,they cant do anything and i was asked to call my bank. Bank couldnt help either. If anyone had success in getting your money back, please tell me how it was done? Thanks heaps!
I posted July 03 2010 that put in a disput with my bank to recover monies lost due to icebidz been a scam, well true to there word they looked in to it and my money was credited back onto my credit card a few days ago. You should all give it a go, just contact your bank and request for a dispute because icebidz is a scam and they do the rest. Good luck!
I too have been sucked in to this and only today thought to Google the site and found you guys. I've called my bank who are going to look into it but it didn't sound too promising admittedly. Will no for next time so thanks for your vigilence.
NZ
I got sucked in too. I have raised a complaint to paypal and my bank and hope they can see it to issue a credit. Bad work facebook allowing this to be listed on your site and also to paypal who should make sure they are dealing with credible companies not assisting scammers! Wish I had found this site first! Thanks heaps!
Hey there, I have just lodged a complaint via Consumer Affairs Victoria. Hopefully they can help. Feel free to do so yourselves as I am sure that the more complaints CAV receive, the more notice they'll take. Good Luck!
I purchased 200 bids from penny auction in the past, did not get the time to use it and now realised its fake! i tried to go back to icebidz.com but now the website no longer exist?!!!!!
i am so angry, is there anywhere i can complain and get my money back?
Phew! That was close. I had been watching prices and logging items I was interested in on Icebidz for a couple of months. I’ve also been procrastinating about getting started. As soon as I decided the time was right to buy a package and commence bidding, my bookmark said the link appeared to be broken. It was then I came across this site – thanks guys! The list of stuff I wanted was pretty big and I would have bought a large package of bids. Can’t blame facebook for posting the ad – the whole scam is very convincing.
thank you so much for posting this mates! I was conned of much money last year, as i clicked the facebook link like so many others, i was like fully addicted i guess not fully adddicted but like i wanted to get some reward for my investment. well, me christian friend,dear mr steve thanabalan, was conned too and told me that these sites worked on greed and the human condition of desire. so true, but I was lke i can stll win some if i bid more like! He too had bid on a site called bidpax too with 144!! and lost to the bots, as apparatenly they work by computer bidders, its all so very clever ay because there are still truths to it and some winners here and there and they get em thinking you get more with more quid, odds and ends and really a scam really. i think this is tragic also because them innocent uns cannot go to the bobbys and the barristers, and the internet fraud agencies are tied coz the site is fully legit like! and they did not put a gun to yer head!
heres the interesting bit, coz the thing is right, thanners went down to the office as he worked in the cbd of sydney a few blocks awawy from the address listed on the penny auction site, and this was in sydney right next to the law firms in the heart of the city, and fully sick, there was no company there! we wanted to sue but they are not even listed officially with ASIC as every company has to be registered and the company is offshore, so like fully sick mate, no recompense ay, nuffin we can do…jeez…not a crime but definitely as thannners says misrepresentation but you cant estop them or file a suit because they are all over da world and like internet crime there is no stopping the international limits for now, like i mean youd have to be fully thick mate, like where’d you sue…for that matter, who’d you sue! these guys are pros with sick ideas for money spinnin….fully legit…but also, am sure many lads wished they were the uns to have come up with this crock to bang a fast buck…listen, us humans are all greedy, tis trend wont be ending too soon me thinks..recently have you seen the founders of skype buy shares in like Madbid in me native UK, so some are fully even backed by the big corps, fully like! havent played that un for a few quid yet, no chance for me to fall for it again, besides its lottery/gamblin innit, reeally! me final point is that these sites shift from one site to another just like you all have discovered with this great post mate, technically there is a breach somewhere for shure…but we cant get them…yet! hang on mates! one day they will pay!
Thanks for stopping by, please join the forum http://PennyAuctionWatch.com/forum Very sorry to hear this is happening!
Hi,
Looks like we have the same problem in South Africa, only the local watchdogs aren’t so quick to step in.
Here’s the site: http://www.smokoo.co.za/
Here’s the UA: UA-16995628-1
but AdsSpy comes up empty handed.
Any help?
.d
Please join us in the forum! http://pennyauctionwatch.com/forum Let’s see what we can find out!
Would also like further authentication on smokoo.com before communicating