The following provides answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the domain name registration solicitation mailings.
What is Fraudulent Invoicing for Domains?
We want to help you prevent your domain name registration from being moved to another company by being tricked into renewing with another 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:
- Internet Registry of Canada (IROC)
- Internet Registry of America (IROA)
- Domain Registry Of America (DROA)
- Domain Registry Of Canada (DROC)
- Verisign/Network Solutions
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.
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.
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.
