Domain name scams
In the past 12 months, there has been an alarming increase in Domain name scams.
In the past 12 months, there has been an alarming increase in Domain name scams.
There is a growing trend for some interstate and even international IT companies to directly post you or email you an invoice for a web address that you don’t even own. e.g: You may own the .com.au version of your website address but they are invoicing you for the .com version that you have never agreed to purchase. The result, you end up paying a premium for the second website address, that you do not need, and usually, it is never pointed to your existing website, so you never derive any benefit from it.
Another popular scam is offering you a free gift, like an ipod shuffle, with your domain name purchase or renewal. Avoid these promotions. Firstly, you should not pay any more than $20 for a .com web address or $45 for a .com.au web address. Secondly, the gift is not actually a gift, you are paying for it, and at a premium. You would be better off going and buying it direct. Thirdly, I have heard stories of people having to chase up getting their free gift as well as proof that they actually own the new website address.
Here are some ways to check you are not being ripped off or scammed –
- If you receive an invoice, talk to your original person who set up your website. Make sure you are meant to be receiving it.
- Visit whois.domaintools.com and type in your website address to determine when your website address was last ‘modified’ (purchased/renewed). The date to renew your web address will be 2 years from this date for a .com.au and 1 year for most .com addresses.
- Read your invoices carefully. Double check the website address and match it to your own. Keep an eye out for alternative spelling too.
- If you do decide to purchase these new domain names, talk to your website designer or go online and buy direct from an Australian supplier. You could possibly find a cheaper offer.
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Domain name scams - Part 2
Back in 2010, the US Federal Trade Commission stopped a group had reportedly made $4,261,876US from email scams targeting domain name registrants (www.netregistry.com.au).
This is alarming as scammers in Australia continue to target small and big business using sneaky tactics.
Your domain name information is available to the public making it easy to create unsolicited correspondence directed at you. These are usually a request to renew an existing domain name (transferring it to a different company) or to purchase a new domain name that you do not need (a slight variation from your existing domain).
These types of scams, now being delivered via email and the post, are targeting those who fear loosing their website and website address. Of course any small business owner or big business employee is fearful of loosing their presence online. Imagine your website being temporarily (or even permanently) “switched off”.
How do you protect yourself?
- Keep in touch with your web designer – make sure you are aware of where your website address ‘came from’ and how much you paid for it.
- Keep a note of when your website address is due to be renewed. (.com addresses are yearly and .com.au addresses are every 2 years).
- Read any invoices and emails carefully – if in doubt, talk to your web designer. Scammers have been reported offer you other web services you may already have or do not require like Hosting.
- If you want to change who your domain name is with – compare the price and the company. A lot of these scammers charge a premium and sometimes do not even register your domain for you.
Another scam involves overseas companies send you an email claiming that one of their clients wish to use your business name as well as purchase a collection of domain names similar to yours. E.g. www.yourbusiness.com, www.yourbusiness.co, www.yourbusiness.asia and so on. They basically seek your permission offering you first dibs on the list of domain names. Not only can you purchase those same domains from most domain name companies, you may not need them in the first place AND, I always question wether or not their client actually exists.
A few minuets to check your records and/or to speak to your web designer my save you money AND even your website.
Webgirl
If you have a web question or would like further information, email karen@web-sta.com.au.
Ignorance is not bliss
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Ignorance is not bliss
Web address ownership is a tricky topic, however one not to be ignored. Imagine you have “purchased” your website and website address. Everything is fine…until you get a massive renewal bill from your supplier. How can they do this?
Some website designers (and only some) are on the less-than honest side of the coin and register domain names under their own business names, individual names or ABN/CAN. Not that of their client. In some instances, this is okay, but legally, who ever the ABN belongs to, owns the domain name and can do with it as they want.
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| Don't Get Stung |
To avoid being stung. If you are looking to get a website address…ensure you or your website supplier use your name or ABN/ACN to register it. You can ask for proof in the form of a Domain name registration certificate which is usually supplied upon original registration. This should state your name/business name as the owner. If not, request that it is transferred immediately if you have any worries about the future ownership of your domain name.
To check to see if your domain name is registered in your business name, go to http://whois.domaintools.com and type in your website address. In most cases, you will be able to view who your domain name is registered to amongst other information.
