Domain name scam
Domain slamming is a form of scam in which an internet service provider (ISP) or domain name registrar attempts to trick customers of different companies into switching from their existing ISP/registrar to the scamming ISP/registrar, under the pretense that the customer is simply renewing their subscription to their old ISP/registrar.[1]
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.[2] In 2003, VeriSign was found not to have broken the law but were barred from suggesting that a domain was about to expire or that a transfer was actually a renewal.[3]
Also in 2002, Register.com sued Domain Registry of America, claiming the company illegally lured away thousands of customers by tricking them into transferring their domains.[4]
In 2003, the Federal Trade Commission reached a settlement with the Domain Registry of America for practices such as transferring domain registrations to their service under the guise of domain renewal, a practice known as domain slamming, and having hidden fees.[5][6][7][8]
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. We do not consider this an acceptable situation. Accreditation processes must be reviewed, and that review must be released for public scrutiny".[9]
In 2009, OpenSRS reported receiving "calls daily from domain holders who have fallen victim to domain slamming".[10]
As of 2010, this company mailing as DROA, French Internet Registry, Domain Renewal Group or Company Directory, is doing so in order to achieve domain slamming.[11] McAfee Labs also reports that the domain slamming solicitations continue.[12]
References
- ^ DiscountDomainsUK.com: Want To Get Ripped Off By Domain Name Fraudsters?
- ^ TheRegister.co.uk: VeriSign hit with slamming lawsuit
- ^ TheRegister.co.uk: VeriSign slammed for domain renewal scam
- ^ Register.com says rival duped customers. By Lisa M. Bowman; Staff Writer, CNET News September 18, 2002 12:37 PM PDT
- ^ Federal Trade Commission v. Domain Registry of America, Inc.
- ^ Federal Trade Commission: Court Bars Canadian Company from Misleading Consumers in Marketing of Internet Domain Name Services
- ^ The Register: Court bars Canadian domain slammer
- ^ Stephen Lawson (31 December 2002). "Judge Halts Domain Deception". PC World. Retrieved 24 May 2008.
- ^ ICANN: ALAC Statement to the Board of ICANN on Amendments to the Registrar Accreditation Agreement Sun 14 Sep 2008
- ^ OpenSRS: Repost: Beware of Fake Domain Name Renewal Notices By: James Koole on June 22nd, 2009
- ^ Most of the renewal of a domain name Posted May 26, 2010 by Marina Legrand
- ^ Schmugar, Craig (30 March 2010). "Persistent Domain-Renewal Scam Alive and Kicking". McAfee Labs Blog. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
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