Domain Scams

Have you received a letter from Domain Registry of America, Domain Listings, Domain Registry, or an email from Domain World/visitmydomain.com or a similar company with a message telling you need to act fast? You may not even recall ever doing business with this company, or are pretty sure we provide this service for you.

Well you aren't alone. Domain name registration and renewal scams are pretty common. In this article we will explain what they are and share examples.

What is a Domain Listing Scam?

A domain listing scam involves a company that sends out letters to unsuspecting website or domain owners to try to get them to either switch their domain name registrar or subscribe to junk services. They do so with higher prices, and confusing tactics. What's worse, the letters and invoices look very official and contain details which would lead many unsuspecting individuals to believe that they do owe money to this company.

Examples:

Always Read These Carefully! Including the Fine Print.

The most important piece of advice we can share is for you to read the fine print! Pay attention to details and avoid taking action out of fear. Feel free to contact us if you are unsure or have questions.

Tips to Spot Fakes:

• Actual domain invoices typically come via email, not snail-mail.
• Look for a contact phone number. Fake notices don't usually include a phone number. If yours does, call it.
• Turn to the web and do a Google search for the company name that sent you the notice. Take notice if search results include the word "scam".
• Perform a WHOIS search to see who your current domain registrar is.

What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Notice About Your Domain

First, do not pay!

If you have an accounting department, let them know that the letter/invoice may be a scam and to hold payment until you investigate.

Notify us so we can help you determine if it is a scam or a legitimate bill.

Don't hesitate to contact the FTC, BBB, and ICANN Complaint Department (https://www.icann.org/compliance/complaint) and let them know about the letter or email you've received. Be sure to include a copy of the letter or the email so they can have all the necessary information to take legal measures.

What If We Have Already Paid?

If your domain name hasn’t transferred away from your current domain registrar, then I would recommend contacting the scam company and ask them to cancel the transfer. In addition, contact your current registrar and have them cancel any active transfers and lock the domain from transfer. You may also be able to contact your bank and flag/dispute the payment.

If your domain has already been transferred, you will then need to pay to have the domain transferred back to a reputable registrar. We use and recommend GoDaddy.