Several of our clients have recently shared a scam that’s worth flagging for everyone. They received an official-looking bill in the mail from a company claiming to be their domain name provider, asking for payment to “renew” their domain.
Here’s the thing: it wasn’t from their actual domain provider. It was a completely separate company hoping they wouldn’t look too closely.
How It Played Out
Our clients could have paid the “bill”. The letter looked legitimate enough that they double-checked with us first. We knew the sender was not their actual domain provider, so we dug into it a bit more. We’ve included an example of the actual documents below for you to review but have redacted our client’s information for their anonymity.
If you’re reading the letter carefully, the signs are there. The document even says that it is a solicitation, not a bill. But at a glance, especially if you’re busy, it’s easy to see how someone could mistake it for a real bill.
Why This Scam Works
These letters are designed to look like routine paperwork. They often:
- Use generic, official-sounding company names like “Domain Name Services” that could be mistaken for any provider.
- Mimic the format of a real invoice or renewal notice.
- Include your actual domain name and registration details (often pulled from public WHOIS records) to seem credible.
- Create urgency with renewal deadlines.
- List a price that’s often inflated compared to your real renewal cost.
- The website on the bill looks like it was built to look official without actually being tied to any real service.
How to Protect Yourself
- Know who your domain provider actually is. If you’re not sure and we manage your website please ask us.
- Never pay a domain renewal notice you receive by mail or email without confirming it first. A quick call or email to your actual provider takes a few minutes and can save you from paying the wrong company, or worse, accidentally transferring your domain to a bad actor.
- Check the sender closely. Vague, generic company names are a red flag.
- Look at the website behind the letter. If it feels thin, generic, or doesn’t match up with a real registrar you recognize, that’s a sign to dig deeper.
- When in doubt, reach out to us. If you ever get something that looks like a domain or hosting bill and you’re not sure if it’s legitimate, send it our way before doing anything else. We’re happy to take a look.
The Bottom Line
Scammers count on people being busy and not reading the fine print. A little diligence goes a long way. If a bill or renewal notice doesn’t add up, or if it’s coming from a company you don’t recognize, pause and verify before you pay.
If you ever receive something like this, feel free to forward it to us. We’re always glad to help you figure out what’s real and what’s not.
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