If you own a domain name, some time prior to renew, you may received a letter in the mail from a company called the Domain Registry of Canada, Domain Registry of America, Domain Registry of Europe and possibility other such names. I just got one of these letters today, November 25, 2006. The letter looks like an official invoice with your personal contact information and name of your expiring domain(s).
Predominately displayed on the top right you’ll see:
“Domain Name Expiration Notice”
The letter has statements like the following indicating that urgent action is required:
“As a courtesy to domain name holders, we are sending you this notice”
“You must renew your domain name to retain exclusive rights to it on the web, and now is the time to renew your name from your current registrar to the Domain Registry of Canada” (could also be, Domain Registry of America, Domain Registry of Europe or other such names)
To simplify fulfilling the request, the invoice has a tear off stub to include with your payment along with a return envelope.
The letter is confusing and initially could make an inexperienced person feel they had to re-register with them. The logo and invoice looks very official along with the official sounding name. They even provide a phone number and web address making this all look very legal like.
The letter is intended to confuse and catch you off guard and get you to send your payment to them. It must work otherwise they wouldn't keep trying this kind of mail campaign (fraud). Even if everything else looks real, their over inflated rate of $40 Cdn ($35 US) for registering a domain should be a tip off. You can get a .com domain for around $4.95 US., or your hosting company may including domain registration as part of their package.
In an attempt to cover the company’s trying to scam you, the later make this statement:
“You are under no obligation to pay the amounts stated below, unless you accept this offer. This notice is not a bill, it is rather an easy means of payment should you decide to switch your domain name registration to the Domain Registry of Canada.”
Despite this, it is still an attempt to deceive and mislead you into switching to them as register of your domain at unreasonable over inflated prices. This company is sends misleading mail in an attempt to take business away from other domain registrars. This nothing new for them. A search of the net shows they have been doing this for many years. Some call this “slamming” but is is nothing more than mail SPAM and an out and out attempt to defraud people. A real scummy way of doing business!
If you get one of these letters, DO NOT SEND THEM MONEY. There is nothing official about this letter. Contact your domain register about your domain renewal! You can also report this to appropriated agencies in your country.
Additional information:
http://www.a1co.com/domainnames/domainfraud.html
http://support.easydns.com/domain.slammers/droc.php
http://support.easydns.com/domain.slammers
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2003/12/domainreg.htm
http://support.tigertech.net/droa
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/10/23/asa_slams_intimidating_domain_registry
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