DOMAIN NAME FRAUD

Occasionally our clients get "reminders" about renewing their domain name - from companies they do not know. The following provides answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the domain name registration mailings.

What is Fraudulent Invoicing for Domains?
Which companies are making these solicitations?
What should I do to avoid being tricked into transferring my domain away from my current provider?
What can I do if I'm already a victim?
How can I help make sure this doesn't happen to anyone else?
How can I combat an incident of solicitation?

It is the sending out of mail that appears to be an invoice, which is in fact a solicitation for business. It is easy to be decieved into thinking it is an official document from your domain name register.

It is a solicitation for business - its aim to get you to transfer your business to their company.

There are a number of domain registration companies looking to grow their businesses by stealing business from other companies.

While we welcome fair competition in the marketplace, some companies believe the best way to win business is to solicit existing domain name registrants from other companies.

Wherever possible, these companies will target registrants and trick them into moving their domain registration business.

Some companies recently reported to have been involved in this type of activity are:

The best way to combat this is to simply IGNORE all communications regarding your domain name that do NOT come from your current provider.

The first thing you should do is contact your payment authority. In all likelihood, these transactions will not be processed if the company is not able to secure payment for the transaction.

If you have already sent money to one of these companies, we suggest contacting your bank or credit card company immediately regarding your options to have any payment you may have authorized either stopped or reversed.

Report the incident to your current provider and the appropriate authorities!! Proactively combating these sorts of unscrupulous business practices is the only way to ensure these companies are stopped.

This will not only help you, but all registrants, to enjoy the freedom to choose your provider and to be free from solicitations designed to deceive or trick you. It will also help us aid you in the recovery of your domain.