Domain Renewal scam going around

Forums › IT Pro and developers › Domain Renewal scam going around

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
58080 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9629

Administrator

Trusted

Geekzone

Subscriber

Topic # 62060 28-May-2010 16:21

Just a heads up that the famous "pro forma invoices" scam is doing the rounds again.

Today I received two "Domain Name Expiration Notice" from Domain Renewal Group. I do not own those .com domains (so no renewal) but do own the equivalent .co.nz... Obviously they are going throgh the NZ DNC WhoIs and getting domain owners' data to send these out.

If you receive those DO NOT PAY. The text at some point says:

"Privatization o Domain Registrations and Renewals now allows the consumer the choice of Registrars when initially registering and also when renewing a domain name. Domain name holders are not obligated to renew their domain name with their current Registrar or with the Domain Renewal Group. Review our prices and decide for yourself. 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 Renewal Group".

Mauricio Freitas (Geekzone Admin, Devil's Advocate, my blog, technology disclosure)

nate

I'm @nate
6271 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 366

Moderator

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 336001 29-May-2010 00:53

I'd had a couple of clients almost pay these, luckily they checked with me first.

I'm sure there's plenty of other people who have paid these without realising.

Custom software development | Mt Eden Cafe | Cafe Owner

alasta

3573 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 497

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 336021 29-May-2010 09:19

This particular notice has been circulating on and off for the last two or three years. Obviously anyone receiving an unusual or unexpected domain name invoice or renewal notice should consult with their existing registrar before paying it, but a lot of people don't even appear to know who their existing registrar is so it's easy to see how they get caught out.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
58080 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9629

Administrator

Trusted

Geekzone

Subscriber

Reply # 336022 29-May-2010 09:23

And in large companies the accounts depts doesn't necessarily check with IT depts, so accounts are paid just like that...

Mauricio Freitas (Geekzone Admin, Devil's Advocate, my blog, technology disclosure)

alasta

3573 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 497

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 336034 29-May-2010 10:47

freitasm: And in large companies the accounts depts doesn't necessarily check with IT depts, so accounts are paid just like that...

In my experience it's far more common for the accounts department to submit it to the IT manager for signoff, and then it ends up sitting on their desk for several weeks until the service expires or the account becomes overdue. SOEs and corporate monsters appear to be particularly notorious for this but surprisingly it's not quite as bad in government departments.

kyhwana2

2332 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 80

Reply # 336045 29-May-2010 12:12

These scams have been around for at least 10 years or so.. I remember working at a computer shop back in 99/2000 and my boss getting one of these.. He almost paid it too!

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
58080 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9629

Administrator

Trusted

Geekzone

Subscriber

Reply # 336069 29-May-2010 14:10

Yes, they are on and off. The people behind this get told off by the DNC and pause for a while. It seems they need some money again...

Mauricio Freitas (Geekzone Admin, Devil's Advocate, my blog, technology disclosure)

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
58080 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9629

Administrator

Trusted

Geekzone

Subscriber

Reply # 756012 5-Feb-2013 12:13

These guys are back. This time, after people got up in arms because of the pro-forma invoices they are now sending mail with this text:

"As a courtesy to domain name holders, we are sending you this notification of the domain name registration that is due to expire in the next few months."

The domain in the mail is a .com and doesn't expire until 13 June 2013. But that doesn't mean they can't say "Act today!" in the letter.

They are charging AU$45 (US$46) for a domain that I am currently paying US$12 with GoDaddy.

DO NOT PAY THOSE PRO-FORMA INVOICE AND NOTIFY YOUR ACCOUNT DEPARTMENTS OF THIS SCAM.

Mauricio Freitas (Geekzone Admin, Devil's Advocate, my blog, technology disclosure)