Hypothetical Question

Lets say someone operating an online software business is actually located in Brazil, Mexico, Peru, etc., for example yet lists their physical address as in the USA on their site, which is most likely a house or apartment of someone they know or possibly bogus as its difficult to be certain. They make no effort whatsoever to disclose this fact.

This business is also using a virtual phone number to help mask their physical location. Question is, if they were a competitor of yours, would you use this information against them?

Granted, there's nothing wrong with living outside the USA and operating a software business although I think if you're operating from another country and doing your best to hide behind a bogus USA location using a fake address and virtual phone, that's a problem.

 

This doesn't seem a very hypothetical question

 

I wouldn't. We don't know all the details as to why they are "hiding" behind the US address, etc. If it's a decent business and they have simply outsourced their stuff (and their staff) to, let's say, Brazil - well, more power to them. I don't think slamming a business because they are trying to get and work with US customers is a good idea, no matter where they are located. On the other hand, if it's a business that has dishonest practices or been known for taking advantage of their customers, then it doesn't matter where it is located, it should be exposed as such.