Dangerous domains: beware of growing trend in URL scams
Web domain name scams are becoming more unscrupulous with companies selling URLs taking advantage of SMEs who lack knowledge and awareness of their deceitful activity. There are two prominent tactics used by these web address selling companies relating to ‘"expiring domains" and "in-demand domains". So what should SMEs look out for to avoid unnecessary expense on domain renewals and new addresses that aren’t required?
Prominent incidences of domain name scams relate to expiring domains. SMEs may receive an erroneous call or letter informing them that their domain is about to expire and that renewal is required immediately – if this is not done the SME may be threatened with losing it, their emails and website disruption. Rogue companies selling URLs are involved in the practice of then offering renewal at an inflated price, sometimes 10 – 20 times the original price.
What these companies are doing is not technically illegal. But fall into their trap and the expense can be more than noticeable.
Only your web designer or the company you originally registered the domain with can contact you with this news. They would either renew it for you automatically dependent upon your agreement with them or alert you when it’s due for renewal.
A second prominent scam is the "in-demand domain". This works in a similar fashion to the expiring domain. SMEs would be likely to again receive a miscellaneous call from a company selling URLs explaining that a third party or competitor wishes to register a domain name similar to or several variations of their own such as name.org, name.com or name.info. This tactic is used to panic SMEs into purchasing the URLs in order to avoid potential customers landing on a rival’s website rather than their own and lose out in revenue. Yet again, purchasing these domains would be at an inflated cost.
Be warned, this is always a scam. Unless you have expressly registered your interest in a particular domain, it is extremely unlikely that you will receive calls of this nature from a reputable company offering this service. Companies that cold-call and sell URLs are simply trying to sell you something you undoubtedly won’t need. If the domain they mention is of interest it is more secure to ask your web designers or service and support provider to register it for you or offer you the correct advice.
If you require any more information please contact us on 0121 248 7931.
2008.10.10 (LM)
