As a Web Developer, I have many domain names out there that I either own or control.
I got a letter in the mail today from Internet Domain Name Services stating that one of these domains (carcoscleaners.com) is do to expire soon and all I got to do is cut them a check or write my credit card number on the form and send it back to them..
Now I have control of that domain, I have an account with AQW Network Services and I know the man there personally. So why would I be getting a notice that my domain is up for renewal when it would be my hosting guy’s business sending me the notice?
What really is taking place here is something called “Domain Slamming”. Where they try to make it look like they are already your domain registrar and for busy people trying to get the bills paid, they may assume this and just fill out the form. The price is also high enough ($45 per year) that it looks like they could be talking about the hosting account, but they are not.. Hosting is usually another price from $60 to $200 per year.
It’s like stealing candy from a baby, from the moral perspective also.
Lets all unwelcome these guys by making sure you are not their next victim, or if you did fall into this by accident, or should I say trap (stepping on a bear trap is not an accident, it is a trap that was set with intention to trap you), force yourself out of the trap.
If you see the following form in the mail, you are either about to be or already have been slammed.
Whenever you put yourself out on the internet there is always some risk of someone taking advantage of your information. In this particular case , they use a innocent service like Who Is , a reputable domain name look up service, to look up your domain’s information so that they know your name, address, phone, who to send the form to, when the domain expires etc. Here is the who is lookup for Carcos Cleaners LLC:
Name
ENOM, INC.
Whois Server
whois.enom.com
Referral URL
http://www.enom.com
Status
clientTransferProhibited http://www.icann.org/epp#clientTransferProhibited
Important Dates
Expires On
October 01, 2015
Registered On
October 01, 2012
Updated On
February 26, 2014
Name Servers
Raw Registrar Data
Registry Domain ID: 1749015055_DOMAIN_COM-VRSN
Registrar WHOIS Server: whois.enom.com
Registrar URL: www.enom.com
Updated Date: 2014-01-16T10:31:42.00Z
Creation Date: 2012-10-01T01:00:00.00Z
Registrar Registration Expiration Date: 2015-10-01T01:00:00.00Z
Registrar: ENOM, INC.
Registrar IANA ID: 48
Domain Status: clientTransferProhibited https://www.icann.org/epp#clientTransferProhibited
Registry Registrant ID:
Registrant Name: MIKE COPSEY
Registrant Organization:
Registrant Street: 1014 SOUTH 7TH STREET
Registrant City: PRAIRIE DU CHIEN
Registrant State/Province: WI
Registrant Postal Code: 53821
Registrant Country: US
Registrant Phone: +1.6083062127
Registrant Phone Ext:
Registrant Fax: +1.
Registrant Fax Ext:
Registrant Email:
@GMAIL.COMRegistry Admin ID:
Admin Name: MIKE COPSEY
Admin Organization:
Admin Street: 1014 SOUTH 7TH STREET
Admin City: PRAIRIE DU CHIEN
Admin State/Province: WI
Admin Postal Code: 53821
Admin Country: US
Admin Phone: +1.6083062127
Admin Phone Ext:
Admin Fax: +1.
Admin Fax Ext:
Admin Email:
@GMAIL.COMRegistry Tech ID:
Tech Name: AARON WESTER
Tech Organization: AQW NETWORK SERVICES
Tech Street: PO BOX 519
Tech City: OXFORD
Tech State/Province: WI
Tech Postal Code: 53952
Tech Country: US
Tech Phone: +1.6085864954
Tech Phone Ext:
Tech Fax: +1.6085865247
Tech Fax Ext:
Tech Email:
@AQWNET.COMName Server: NS1.DATAINN.NET
Name Server: NS2.DATAINN.NET
DNSSEC: unSigned
Registrar Abuse Contact Email:
@enom.comRegistrar Abuse Contact Phone: +1.4252982646
URL of the ICANN WHOIS Data Problem Reporting System: http://wdprs.internic.net/
Last update of WHOIS database: 2014-01-16T10:31:42.00Z
purposes only, that is, to assist you in obtaining information about or
related to a domain name registration record. We make this information
available “as is,” and do not guarantee its accuracy. By submitting a
whois query, you agree that you will use this data only for lawful
purposes and that, under no circumstances will you use this data to: (1)
enable high volume, automated, electronic processes that stress or load
this whois database system providing you this information; or (2) allow,
enable, or otherwise support the transmission of mass unsolicited,
commercial advertising or solicitations via direct mail, electronic
mail, or by telephone. The compilation, repackaging, dissemination or
other use of this data is expressly prohibited without prior written
consent from us.We reserve the right to modify these terms at any time. By submitting
this query, you agree to abide by these terms.
Version 6.3 4/3/2002Get Noticed on the Internet! Increase visibility for this domain name by listing it at www.whoisbusinesslistings.comInformation Updated: Thu, 25 Jun 2015 21:47:08 UTC
You’re thinking “oh my, he put his information out here in front of us so he’s just asking for someone to scam him.” You are right, but at the same time, in order to be a responsible business and to be responsible about your website, that information is put to public on purpose.
If you want to read more about this topic, go here.
