We’ve received a number of calls from our clients over the past few weeks concerning domain renewal notices from companies such as Domain Registry of America and Liberty Names.
The renewal notices look like invoice, but in small print indicate they’re not. Be careful, because these notices are a scam to try and get you to switch your domain registration service to these companies, usually at much higher fees than are normal for domain registration.
One of our clients received two letters from them on the same day, urging them to transfer domains from my current registrar to their bogus service. If you receive one of their letters or emails, our advice is to throw it away – and let everyone that handles the mail at your company to throw them away as well.
If you read the notice VERY carefully, these companies are trying to convince you to transfer your domain to them by using threatening language and misleading information. If you use magnifying glass to read all the fine print on the back of their letters, the alarm bells will ring. Here’s an extract:
“You agree that you may not transfer your domain name registration to another domain name registrar during the first sixty (60) days from the effective date of your initial domain name registration with DRoA. You agree to provide written, signed authorization to DRoA for the transfer of the domain name to another registrar and agree to pay any and all fees that may be charged by DRoA to effect the transfer. Your request to transfer to another registrar may be denied in situations described in the Dispute Policy…”
“You agree, during the period of this Agreement, that we may (1) revise the terms and conditions of this Agreement; and (2) change the services provided under this Agreement. Any such revision or change will be binding and effective immediately on posting of the revised Agreement or change to the service(s) on DRoA’s web site, or on notification to you by e-mail or Canadian mail. You agree to review DRoA’s web site, including the Agreement, periodically to be aware of any such revisions.”
We interpret this to mean that if you mistakenly fall for their letter and sign up for their service, you are stuck with it for 60 days, must pay any transfer costs back to your own registrar and could end up paying for expensive services you didn’t agree to.
Domain Registry of America has been taken to court and rapped over the knuckles several times by the Federal Trade Commission for misleading consumers, but they’re still at it, trying to get people to switch their domain name registrar and usually pay a higher price in the process.
Our advice: If you haven’t already, move your domain registrations to our service. We charge a very reasonable $15/year per domain name, and as a courtesy, provide Domain Privacy Service to you at no charge. This means that domain scammers like Domain Registry of America and Liberty names won’t have access to your mailing and personal information.
That way, the only renewal notices you’ll receive for your domains will come directly from Tech Experts. For more information about our domain registration services, call (734) 457-5000.