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'''Domain name scams''' are types of [[Scams in intellectual property|Intellectual property scams]] or [[confidence scam]]s in which unscrupulous [[domain name registrar]]s attempt to generate revenue by tricking businesses into buying, selling, listing or converting a domain name. The [[Office of Fair Trading]] in the United Kingdom has outlined two types of domain name scams which are "Domain name registration scams" and "Domain name renewal scams".<ref name=oft>{{cite web|title=Domain name scams|url=http://www.oft.gov.uk/business-advice/protect-your-business-from-scams/types/domain|work=Types of business scams|publisher=[[Office of Fair Trading]]|accessdate=27 July 2011|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010102229/http://www.oft.gov.uk/business-advice/protect-your-business-from-scams/types/domain|archivedate=10 October 2011|df=}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Richardson|first=Tim|title=Three domain name scams|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/07/12/three_domain_name_scams/|accessdate=27 July 2011|newspaper=[[The Register]]|date=12 July 2002<!-- 15:31 GMT-->}}</ref>
== Domain slamming ==
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=== Prevention ===
In 2004, [[ICANN]], the domain name governing body, made changes to its policy for transferring domains between registrars. They introduced a single protective measure that can help prevent unauthorized transfers: [[domain locking]]. Critics, although advising owners to apply the new feature, said that this was an "unnecessary and customer-unfriendly change".<ref>{{cite news|last=Rohde|first=Laura|title=ICANN domain transfer policy takes effect|url=http://www.infoworld.com/t/platforms/icann-domain-transfer-policy-takes-effect-409|accessdate=22 July 2011|newspaper=[[InfoWorld]]|date=November 12, 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Lake|first=Matt|title=Why it's easier than ever to lose your domain|url=http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6028_7-5581289-1.html|accessdate=22 July 2011|newspaper=[[CNET]]|date=November 22, 2004|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101211003443/http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6028_7-5581289-1.html|archivedate=11 December 2010|df=}}</ref>
== False offers to buy, or to find buyers ==
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* In 2001, the federal [[Competition Bureau]] (of Canada) issued a warning about documents that appeared to be invoices sent out by a business called the ''Internet Registry of Canada'' (a [[Brandon Gray Internet Services|Brandon Gray]] reseller{{Ref label|BrandonGray|1|a}}).<ref>{{cite news|last=MARRON|first=KEVIN|title='Domain slamming' surfaces on the Web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/domain-slamming-surfaces-on-the-web/article1048676/|accessdate=12 July 2011|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=Nov 6, 2002 <!-- 9:03PM EST --> }}</ref>
** "Complaints received by the Competition Bureau indicate that the mailings from the 'Internet Registry of Canada' give the impression that it is affiliated with the Government of Canada or that it is an officially sanctioned agency registering domain names in Canada. The 'Internet Registry of Canada' is not associated with any government agency," the Competition Bureau advisory stated.<ref>{{cite web|last=Charles|first=Bergeron|title=Competition Bureau Issues Warning to Canadians about Misleading Mailings for Internet Domain Name Registrations|url=http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/eng/00528.html|publisher=[[Competition Bureau]]|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824074521/http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/eng/00528.html|archivedate=2011-08-24|df=}}</ref>
* [[VeriSign]] was sued in 2002 for their actions in sending ambiguous emails informing people, often incorrectly, that their domain was about to expire and inviting them to click on a link to renew it. Renewing the domain resulted in the registration company being transferred to VeriSign from the previous registrar.<ref>[https://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/05/14/verisign_hit_with_slamming_lawsuit TheRegister.co.uk]: VeriSign hit with slamming lawsuit</ref>
* In March 2002, the FTC shut down "TLD Network Ltd", "Quantum Management (GB) Ltd.", "TBS Industries Ltd." of London, England for selling bogus domain names ".USA", ".BRIT", which they deceptively marketed as usable suffixes.<ref>[http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2002/03/tld.shtm Federal Trade Commission: Court Shuts Down Website Selling Bogus Domain Names ".USA," ".BRIT," Deceptively Marketed as Useable] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425231621/http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2002/03/tld.shtm |date=April 25, 2012 }}</ref>
* In April 2002, the FTC charged ''National Domain Name Registry'', ''Electronic Domain Name Monitoring'', ''Corporate Domain Name Monitoring'', and owner Darren J. Morgenstern, with making false and misleading statements to domain name holders whereby they duped consumers into needlessly registering variations of their existing domain names by deceptively contending that third parties were about to claim them.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2002/04/morgenstern.shtm |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2012-02-25 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120416014721/http://www.ftc.gov
* On 2 July 2002, the "Domain Registry" served papers against Canada-based domain registrar [[Tucows Inc]] for alleged defamation and sought $21 m in damages.<ref name="droe" /><ref name=tucows_court_case>{{cite web|last=Michener |first=Lang |title=1446513 Ontario Limited v. Tucows Inc. et al. |url=http://comingsoon.tucows.com/.court_case/ |publisher=[[TuCows]] |accessdate=13 July 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030810122021/http://comingsoon.tucows.com/.court_case/ |archivedate=August 10, 2003 }}</ref> Tucows later said: "The Company (Tucows) does not believe it will be liable for any damages and accordingly has not accrued any amounts at June 30, 2002."<ref name=tucows_report>{{cite web|last=COOPERMAN|first=MICHAEL|title=Legal Proceedings|url=http://markets.financialcontent.com/stocks/action/getedgarwindow?accesscode=91205702031385#toc_dm1459_1|work=QUARTERLY REPORT|publisher=Tucows Inc.|accessdate=13 July 2011}}</ref>
* In 2002, [[Register.com]] sued ''Domain Registry of America'' (a Brandon Gray reseller{{Ref label|BrandonGray|1|b}}), claiming the company illegally lured away thousands of customers by tricking them into transferring their domains.<ref>[http://news.cnet.com/Register.com-says-rival-duped-customers/2100-1024_3-955733.html Register.com says rival duped customers. By Lisa M. Bowman; Staff Writer, CNET News] September 18, 2002 12:37 PM PDT</ref>
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* In April 2005, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission warns of a domain name renewal scam where domain name holders have received a letter that looks like an invoice for the registration or renewal of a domain name, where the domain name in question is very similar to your actual domain name except has a different ending, for example it will end in “.net.au” instead of “.com” <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/tag/domainnamerenewalscams#h2_10|title=False billing|first=Australian Competition and Consumer|last=Commission|date=14 May 2015|publisher=|accessdate=3 June 2017}}</ref>
* In March 2006, Consumer Fraud Reporting reports about a company called “Domain Listing Service” sending out emails to domain name holders that look like a bill to register/renew their domain name listing a “final notice”.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.consumerfraudreporting.org/domainnamescams.htm|title=Domain Name Registration Scams|website=www.consumerfraudreporting.org|accessdate=3 June 2017}}</ref>
* In 2006, reports appeared from New Zealand that Blair Rafferty had resurrected his bankrupt brother Chesley's domain name service, "domain slamming" New Zealand and Australian registrants.<ref>{{cite news|last=SAARINEN|first=JUHA|title=Rafferty brother continues domain slamming scam|url=http://pcworld.co.nz/pcworld/pcw.nsf/feature/0B56ACE3E2A579C7CC2571C30007FDE7|accessdate=12 July 2011|newspaper=Fairfax Media Business Group, Fairfax New Zealand Limited|date=August 7, 2006|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001065509/http://pcworld.co.nz/pcworld/pcw.nsf/feature/0B56ACE3E2A579C7CC2571C30007FDE7|archivedate=1 October 2011|df=}}</ref>
* In 2007, a company known as "Domain Renewal SA" operating from Brussels was sending out emails that told you that you need to renew your domain.<ref name=eweek>{{cite news|last=Seltzer|first=Larry|title=Beware Fake Domain Renewal Notices|url=http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/Beware-Fake-Domain-Renewal-Notices/|accessdate=21 July 2011|newspaper=[[eWeek]]|date=2007-07-16}}</ref>
* In August 2007, the Internet Centre reports of a wave of emails originating from China from “Asian Domain Registration Service”, implying that a domain name will be lost, or all Asian TLDs of the domain name will be taken away shortly by a foreign company. The Internet Centre has found no indication that any of these are valid, and in fact they appear to be a scam.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.incentre.net/content/view/113/1 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2012-02-29 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211194446/http://www.incentre.net
* In 2007, it was reported that a company under the name of ''Liberty Names of America'' (a Brandon Gray reseller{{Ref label|BrandonGray|1|g}}) had been sending out "Domain Name Expiration Notices", which one expert said is "not exactly ''domain name slamming''. But it is sleazy marketing."<ref>{{cite news|last=Mitchell|first=Robert|title=The not-quite-domain-name-slamming school of marketing|url=http://blogs.computerworld.com/node/6503|accessdate=13 July 2011|newspaper=Computerworld Inc.|date=November 7, 2007}}</ref>
* In March 2008, PC News Digest reports “Network Solutions Scam”. When searching on the Network Solutions website to see if a name was available for registration, Network Solutions was actually registering the name and then attempting to sell that name at an inflated price.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pcnewsdigest.com/network-solutions-scam/|title=Network Solutions Scam|date=7 March 2008|publisher=|accessdate=3 June 2017}}</ref>
* In 2008, [[ICANN]] said: "we are aware of accredited registrars in North America with officers that have been convicted of mail fraud, that continue to be associated with the deceptive marketing practices employed by the ''Domain Registry of America'' (a Brandon Gray reseller{{Ref label|BrandonGray|1|h}}). We do not consider this an acceptable situation. Accreditation processes must be reviewed, and that review must be released for public scrutiny".<ref>[[ICANN]]: [http://www.atlarge.icann.org/en/correspondence/correspondence-14sep.htm ALAC Statement to the Board of ICANN on Amendments to the Registrar Accreditation Agreement] Sun 14 Sep 2008</ref>
* In 2009, [[American Student Assistance|ASA]] released an [[adjudication]] on ''Domain Registry of America'' t/a ''Domain Renewal Group'' (both Brandon Gray resellers{{Ref label|BrandonGray|1|i}}).<ref name=asa>{{cite web|title=ASA Adjudication on Domain Registry of America|url=http://www.asa.org.uk/Asa-Action/Adjudications/2009/11/Domain-Registry-of-America/TF_ADJ_47583.aspx|publisher=[[American Student Assistance|ASA]]|accessdate=15 July 2011|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807045218/http://www.asa.org.uk/ASA-action/Adjudications/2009/11/Domain-Registry-of-America/TF_ADJ_47583.aspx|archivedate=7 August 2011|df=}}</ref>
* As of 2010, the company mailing as ''DROA'', ''French Internet Registry'', ''Domain Renewal Group'' or ''Company Directory'', is doing so in order to achieve ''domain slamming''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.micro-entreprise.info/essentiel-renouvellement-nom-domaine-n25981.html|title=L’essentiel sur le renouvellement d’un nom de domaine -|date=26 May 2010|publisher=|accessdate=3 June 2017}}</ref> [[McAfee]] Labs also reports that the ''domain slamming'' solicitations continue.<ref>{{cite web |first=Craig | last=Schmugar | title=Persistent Domain-Renewal Scam Alive and Kicking | work=McAfee Labs Blog | date=30 March 2010 | url=http://www.avertlabs.com/research/blog/index.php/2010/03/30/persistent-domain-renewal-scam-alive-and-kicking/ | accessdate=6 May 2010 }}</ref>
* In September 2010, ''Brandon Gray Internet Services Inc.'' had its licence with the authority responsible for Canada's [[.ca]] domain names, [[Canadian Internet Registration Authority]] terminated as a result of ''domain slamming'' carried out under the name of ''Domain Registry of Canada''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jackson|first=Brian|title=Alleged 'domain slammers' lose dot-ca licence, sue CIRA $10 million|url=http://www.itbusiness.ca/it/client/en/home/News.asp?id=59307|accessdate=12 July 2011|newspaper=ITworldcanada|date=2010-09-22 <!-- 5:57:00 AM --> }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Shea|first=Dave|title=Domain Registry Scam|url=http://mezzoblue.com/archives/2008/07/16/domain_regis/|work=mezzoblue|publisher=[[Dave Shea (web designer)|Dave Shea]]/[[mezzoblue]]|accessdate=15 July 2011}}</ref> The officer registered with the Ontario government for Brandon Gray Internet Services is Marilyn Benlolo.<ref name=itbusinessca-59307-p3>{{cite news|last=Jackson|first=Brian|title=Alleged 'domain slammers' lose dot-ca licence, sue CIRA $10 million|url=http://www.itbusiness.ca/it/client/en/home/News.asp?id=59307&PageMem=3|accessdate=7 August 2011|newspaper=[[ITworldcanada]]|date=2010-09-22}}</ref>
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