Before you pay to “renew” your domain, make sure you know where your money is going.
Online business owners have been experiencing a slew of domain listings scams that appear to be legitimate invoices, yet are ploys to get you to spend money on a domain name that does not belong to the company that sent the email. When business owners receive this email, they immediately see the sender as “Domain Listings” or another domain-related title and think that this company must be paid in order to renew their domain name, when in fact this company is not a service at all. They may even trick you into believing that they are the company that keeps your name on Google.
Here’s how to spot a domain-related scam so that you don’t end up spending on an unnecessary expense:
Know the real cost
Before you send any money, you should be aware of the price you have usually paid for your domain name. While there is not a set amount for every website, it is generally around the same price each time. A scam will usually require an amount that is hundreds of dollars more than what you’ve typically paid.
It’s all in the details
Pay strict attention to the wording of the invoice you’ve received. Does it use vague language? Does it include hidden words and phrases such as “solicitation” or “this is not a bill?” Or how about any spelling mistakes? If you’ve answered yes to any (or all) of these questions, then this invoice isn’t real and should be sent to the trash can.
Use your resources, look up the company
If you’ve examined the cost and word choices and they still seem legitimate, double check the company online. Type in a quick Google search to find out who this company is and why they might be sending you this invoice. If the reviews are negative or customers describe their experience as fraudulent, then you should have your answer.
It is important to note that there is not one universal name for this scam. These domain listing websites can have all types of variations in their titles, but their goals are the same: to scam you out of your money.
In summary, make sure you look over any email invoices before you open your wallet.
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