Domain Fraud FAQ
The following provides answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the domain name registration solicitation mailings.
What is a Domain Scammer?
A Domain Scammer is a domain name registration company that uses deception to lure you away from your current registration provider.
What is Fraudulent Invoicing for Domains?
Domain Scammers are misleading consumers, organizations and businesses. Some report having received official-looking renewal notices, supposedly from their domain registrars. The documents are actually solicitations for business that are disguised as invoices.
The letters, some of which are designed to resemble official government notices, inform recipients that their website domain name registrations are about to expire and that they risk losing their Internet domain names if they do not send a payment immediately. These mailings are carefully designed and worded so that they appear to be renewal invoices, without violating Canada Post regulations concerning solicitations.
A Domain Scammer wants you and your domain name registration to be moved to their company. They use the word 'renew' to imply that you are currently serviced by their company. They are trying to trick you into signing up with them as the regsitration provider and transfereing you away from your existing registration provider. If you receive mail that appears to be an invoice, which is in fact a solicitation for business, you may be the target of a fraudulent or false invoicing scheme.
Which companies are making these solicitations?
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:
- Domain Registry of America (DROA)
- Domain Registry of Canada (DROC)
- Internet Registry of Canada (IROC)
- Internet Registry of America (IROA)
- Verisign/Network Solutions
How does the scam work?
The Domain Scammers acquire the domain owner's address information from the public record of domain names. The Domain Scammers then sends direct mail pieces warning you that you must “protect your domain” and other jargon that insinuates the Domain Scammers site is an official or safe place (it is - but so is every other one). It's done to lure you onto the Domain Scammers site. Their materials even look like a Government affiliated agency.
Is the Domain Scammer able to take my domain registration?
Yes. The truth is the Domain Scammer is a legitimate registrar (albeit expensive) and they even include a return envelope and a tear-away stub for payment renewal (how convenient). They prey more on uncertainty than anything else.
What should I do to avoid being tricked into transferring my domain away from my current provider?
The best way to combat this is to simply IGNORE all communications regarding your domain name that do NOT come from your current provider. Only accept domain renewal notices from the company with whom you have registered your domain name. Educate bookkeepers, accounting staff, and web site managers to beware of "domain registration" solicitations designed as invoices. If you doubt the legitimacy of any invoice, check your records to confirm claims of previous business dealings with the company or seller.
What can I do if I’m already a victim?
The first thing you should do is contact the 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.
Major Credit Card Company Contact Numbers:
Visa Global Customer Assistance: 1-800-847-2911
Mastercard USA: 1-800-MC-ASSIST (1-800-622-7747)
Mastercard Canada: 1-800-307-7309
American Express: 1-800-528-4800
Diners Club USA: 800 2 DINERS (1-800-234-6377)
Diners Club Canada: 1 800 363 3333
How can I help make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else?
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.
I'm being contacted to buy a domain name similar to mine, is this ligitimate?
A second type of domain scam advises that another company is trying to register "an alternative version of your domain name." This particular message offers the chance to register the domain name at a high price in order to "prevent the other person from taking your domain name." The communication urges the recipient to act quickly in order to prevent a competitor from taking its domain name.
How can I combat an incident of solicitation?
Incidents of solicitation should always be reported to your current provider. Additionally, the following resources can be used to help combat these practices in general:
In the United States:
- Report your incident at the United States Postal Inspection Service On-line Complaints web site.
- You can also complete the PDF Form and send the completed report to your Postmaster or mail to:
- INSPECTION SERVICE SUPPORT GROUP
222 S RIVERSIDE PLAZA STE 1250
CHICAGO IL 60606-6100
- Check out http://www.domainscams.com for the latest information on these sorts of solicitations.
In Canada:
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