I’m sharing this update to protect my clients, followers, and anyone searching for a legitimate web designer. Unfortunately, an individual has been impersonating me online, copying my work, and using my portfolio without permission. This post explains what’s happening, how it impacts you, and what steps I’m taking to resolve it.
Below is the video where I walk through exactly what I’ve uncovered. The written summary continues underneath.
What’s Happening
Over the past several days, my analytics and security scripts began flagging unusual traffic. These reports were showing referrals from a domain that I do not own and have never been associated with. When I dug deeper, I discovered a website operating under BrandonWheeler.org that had copied large portions of my content, portfolio, and work samples—word for word and image for image.
This wasn’t a coincidence. It was a deliberate impersonation attempt.
To be clear:
Someone has created a website pretending to be me, using my work, my brand, and my identity to mislead visitors.
Why This Matters
If someone lands on a website that looks like mine but uses a different domain, they could easily:
- Believe they’re working with me when they’re not
- Share sensitive information with an impersonator
- Send payments or deposits to the wrong person
- Receive stolen or misrepresented work
That puts both the public and my clients at risk. My work is my reputation, and misuse like this has real consequences.
What I’ve Done So Far
Here are the steps I’ve already taken:
- Identified the hosting provider
The domain is hosted through Namecheap. - Filed multiple takedown requests
I’ve submitted:- Copyright infringement notices
- Impersonation and fraud reports
- Requests for the hosting provider to remove the stolen content
- Escalated because this isn’t the first attempt
This individual previously copied my work under a different domain. That site was removed, but he has now switched to a new domain and hosting company to continue the behavior.
As of now, I’m still waiting for Namecheap to take action on the current site.
What You Should Know
If you’ve found me through a search for web design or digital marketing help:
- My official website is MatthewWoodard.com
- I do not operate under BrandonWheeler.org
- I do not authorize anyone to use my portfolio, work samples, or brand identity
- If something feels off, reach out to me directly—better safe than scammed
The impersonator’s website is clearly built using stolen content. It does not represent my business, my skills, or my services.
Stay Alert and Reach Out if Needed
I’m sharing this to keep my audience informed, prevent anyone from being misled, and maintain full transparency about what’s happening.
If you ever come across a site that resembles mine but uses a different name or domain, please contact me immediately. I want to ensure no one gets taken advantage of by someone pretending to be me.
I’ll post a follow-up update as soon as Namecheap responds or the situation changes.
Thank you for your continued support, and stay tuned for part two.
