IP address makes websites think I'm in the USA

[#1]

The IP address I'm currently assigned by Plus.net makes it look to websites like I'm in the USA.

The address is in the range 146.198.110.X and is registered to "Info.net" with offices in El Segundo, USA.

This is stopping me from Banking online, using any geo services such as streaming video and imprtantly for me playing Poker on Pokerstars since online poker in the USA is illegal

This seems to be a recurrence of an issue from a few years ago judging by previous threads,

Any assistance on how to actually change my external IP address?

This is an extract from the "whois" of the IP address....

==============================================

NetRange: 146.198.0.0 - 146.198.255.255
CIDR: 146.198.0.0/16
NetName: PLUSNET3
NetHandle: NET-146-198-0-0-1
Parent: NET146 (NET-146-0-0-0-0)
NetType: Direct Assignment
OriginAS: AS6871
Organization: INFONET Services Corporation (INFO)
RegDate: 1991-02-28
Updated: 2015-03-12
Ref: https://whois.arin.net/rest/net/NET-146-198-0-0-1

OrgName: INFONET Services Corporation
OrgId: INFO
Address: 2160 East Grand Avenue
City: El Segundo
StateProv: CA
PostalCode: 90245-1022
Country: US
RegDate:
Updated: 2017-01-28
Ref: https://whois.arin.net/rest/org/INFO

==========================================================

[#2]

Getting a static IP address (one off £5 charge) appears the only way to avoid this.

[#3]

I think PlusNet should waive a £5 charge given the circumstances. I assume it is only a quick config change on their system.

The problem is I think companies are more reliant on external IP's and assume what is and isn't UK based. It is not an exact science. I think BBC (iPlayer) and the National Lottery do this too. Worth checking them out, see if they work and raising it with support.

[#4]

The details are correct, but whoever is providing the service must be using an out of date list, or using the wrong information for the blocking.  Lots more detail on 

https://community.plus.net/t5/Plusnet-Feedback/IP-addresses-not-UK-Can-customers-please-report-any-p...

We'll see if we can work out who needs contacting.  Are you seeing any other problems with that IP address?

[#5]

Kelly

For starters this has stopped my "Three in Touch" WiFi calling service since it only works in the UK. This means I've no mobile coverage at home.

Pokerstars have had me sign a disclaimer on line to assert I'm playing from the UK. I'd rather play without any shadows over my game.

Bizarrely my Facebook has become intermittent since this recent changeover to the new IP address. Not as important but annoying nevertheless

My Banking on an RBS subsiduary is now unreliable with random geo related security checks and queries on whether I am actually performing transactions or is it a hacking attempt.

Try that for starters if you can fix those then the rest will probably fall into place. I dont think its my place to tell Website service providers to update their IP records - wheres the credibility for me in that?

I've a JPG of a geo location whois service showing El Segundo as my location. Not sure if its safe to post the image here since it shows the full IP address.

Thanks

[#6]

Which WHOIS service are you using?   

It's likely someone has updated a geolocation database incorrectly and that's been picked up by those services.  We'll take a look.

[#7]

Why not start the move to IPv6 @Kelly and remove the reliance on 2nd User IPv4 address ranges. 

[#8]

---

@Alex wrote:

I think PlusNet should waive a £5 charge given the circumstances.

---

Agreed, even though it's not realy their fault it's others using out of date databases.

[#9]

@MauriceC  IPv6 will come after new billing system

[#10]

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@rongtw wrote:

.... IPv6 will come after new billing system

---

Now that is a meritorious piece of optimism. 

[#11]

Forget it.

I can;t carry on like this. This issue seems to have been kicking around since 2014 and is unlikely to be fixed satisfactorily.

Since I'm now out of contract I have instead placed an order to switch my broadband to an alternate provider.

If you want feedback,

It was two price rises during the contract period, this IP address issue and a meagre 2Mb/s upload speed that sealed the deal I'm afraid.

[#12]

Can't say I blame you, with two out of those three reasons, good luck with your new provider.

[#13]

Sorry to hear you're thinking of leaving us because of this issue

As an ISP, it's unfortunately out of our control that those geolocation databases are incorrect.

All the best with your new provider.

[#14]

Is it, is it really out of your control?.
So RBS systems, Pokerstars and everyone else has a problem... But not plus net despite that IP address being on record as being at an address in el segundo in california?

How's about something that is in your control? Maybe you could have forced my IP address to renew to a less ambiguous one?

[#15]

Hi @mikecro,

I've looked in to this and can confirm this has been flagged up with a few geolocation database providers/companies regarding the out of date data they have for some of our IP ranges. Hopefully we won't be waiting long for them to update their records.