FriendPC claims to connect people with virtual friends to provide companionship and support. But is this platform the real deal or just a scam? With broken pages and missing registration emails, let’s investigate the truth about the viral site.
Overview of the FriendPC Platform
FriendPC positions itself as a way to “rent a friend” by booking services with virtual friends who can listen, teach skills, or provide coaching. According to the site, you can choose a virtual friend to chat with via phone, text, video, or in real life. They states it is strictly for platonic friendships and not a dating site.
The site explains that virtual friends on FriendPC are independent contractors who set their own schedules and rates. As a subscriber, you can browse profiles and book services ranging from someone to talk to when lonely to tour guides in a new city. They takes a cut of payments as a platform fee.
Examining FriendPC’s Company, Domain, and Ownership Details
A first step to vet an online platform is looking at the company details and domain registration info. The website provides limited information about the company itself and who owns it.
The domain whois records show friendpc.com was registered in November 2018 and expires in November 2024. It uses HostGator as the registrar and name servers. The domain cannot be transferred between registrars. The site copyright in the footer still shows 2022, not updated for 2023.
There are no links to social media profiles or clear information about physical addresses or company leadership. The domain does not have DNSSEC enabled for security. Overall, the domain history and technical details do not provide strong signs of credibility.
Analyzing Negative User Reviews and Complaints
While FriendPC describes an ideal virtual friend service, user reviews paint a different picture. Analysis of comments on the site and other review platforms expose recurring issues users have experienced.
Many people report never receiving the registration confirmation email after signing up:
I haven’t received any emails when registering for an account or have a password set please help.
Others mention the website does not function properly:
I went to the website it was not working.
Some ask basic questions about how to register or become a virtual friend, with no answers from the site:
How can I be a virtual friend? I can’t register…
Several users attempt to connect directly with others in the comments, indicating they could not use the platform:
Please contact me. I need a friend.
These complaints persist over the course of a year or more, suggesting major issues. The lack of registration emails and non-functional site stand out as red flags.
Is FriendPC Real or Just a Virtual Friend Scam?
Given the marketing claims versus user experiences, is FriendPC a legitimate service or a scam? Several factors indicate it is likely a scam and bogus site.
Personal Experience Trying the Platform
I registered an account to test the platform firsthand. After signing up, I never received the promised confirmation email. Trying to access the blog and help center resulted in 403 forbidden errors. The home page itself displayed code errors rather than loading properly.
Attempting to use the FriendPC platform directly exposed that core functionality like registration and account creation simply does not work.
Signs Point to a Scam
The domain details, technical errors, restricted pages, lack of transparency about the company, and most importantly, the inability to actually sign up or use the site reveal the site is not what it claims.
The consistent complaints about lack of email confirmations and site problems going back over a year solidify that this is not merely a temporary glitch. Everything points to FriendPC being a false front scam site collecting user data without providing services.
Red Alert – Warning Signs of a Fake Site
| Sign | Example |
| Broken pages and errors | Some pages won’t load properly |
| Lack of working registration | No confirmation email sent |
| Missing basic functionality | Can’t post listings or services |
| No transparency about company | No business info, contact number or addresses |
| Lack of customer service | No responses to questions |
Tips to Stay Safe from Fraudulent Sites
This example provides some tips for spotting and avoiding fake sites:
- Do research – Search for reviews and complaints before sharing data
- Test functionality – Register an account and verify emails/features work
- Check whois info – Domain details can reveal problems
- Beware too good to be true – Extreme claims merit skepticism
- Seek contact info – Legitimate sites have real ways to get help
What To Do If You Get Scammed by a Fake Site
If you shared personal or financial information with a scam site, take these steps:
- Contact your bank if you paid via credit card
- Change passwords on any connected accounts
- Monitor your credit if financial data was exposed
- Report the site to the FTC and cybercrime authorities
- Leave reviews to warn others of the scam
Though disheartening to realize, reporting and warning others can at least stop the scam from victimizing more people.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is FriendPC free to use?
No, It charges service fees and a percentage of payments according to their explanation. But in reality, the site does not function so users cannot book or provide services.
2. Can you be both a client and virtual friend on friendpc.com?
Allegedly members can be both subscribers and virtual friends with one account. But again, since the site does not work that is not feasible.
3. How does the payment process work?
They claims funds are held securely and paid out after services rendered. However, users are unable to actually connect or pay for services based on the non-functional site.
4. Are the virtual friends vetted or background checked?
The site says they work to ensure safety. But in reality, there is no registration process or ability to create an account. Safety measures appear non-existent.
5. Is there customer support if issues arise?
No – friendpc.com does not respond to user questions posted publicly or through the contact form.
The Bottom Line
Based on the domain history, restricted pages, lack of transparency, consistent user complaints, missing functionality, and personal experience attempting to use FriendPC, this platform does not operate as a legitimate virtual friend marketplace.
Some key red flags you should know:
- The website has telltale signs of being a fake site
- Registration and site functionality do not actually work
- Long history of complaints about lack of email confirmations
- No transparency about company or way to get real support
- Warning signs like errors, lack of contact info, too good to be true claims
The evidence overwhelmingly points to friendpc.com being a scam site falsely promoting services that do not exist while collecting user data and payments. Avoid sharing any personal or financial details with the sites that share similar red flags.
