Domain Renewal scam going around

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freitasm

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#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".

nate

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#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.

alasta

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#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

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#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...

alasta

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#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.

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#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

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#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...

freitasm

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#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.

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#1904210 19-Nov-2017 20:54

Received this yesterday & deleted it. Unfortunately a more trusting neighbour who I'd grabbed a domain for also got one, thought it was a renewal and paid.
Both with freeparking, details sourced from their WHOIS
As has been pointed out - not a renewal scam, a SEO scam. Horrible people.

freitasm

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#1904220 19-Nov-2017 21:20

Report this to hosting provider.

irpegg

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#1905168 21-Nov-2017 11:47

Did the email include the companies letterhead or a valid email from them e.g ending in @freeparking.co.nz? If not, then yeah flag as spam and report it to the hosting provider.

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#1905186 21-Nov-2017 12:13

I would have just ignored it - obviously an obvious scam - like the many other scams that show up in the inbox daily.
Except a friend, who I had helped get a .co.nz domain name then mentioned she'd 'paid the overdue bill'..

I did report it to freeparking via their "abuse" contact. Haven't heard anything more. Don't suppose there's much they can do.