Small business operators and individuals with their own internet sites continue to be confused and caught out by unsolicited letters warning them that their internet domain name is due to expire and must be renewed, or offering them a new domain name similar to their current one.
Domain names are the letters and numbers that refer to an internet address (such as 'scamwatch.gov.au'). If you have registered a domain name, be sure to check any domain name renewal notices or invoices that you receive carefully. While the notice could be genuine, it could also be from another company trying to sign you up, or it could be from a scammer.
SCAMwatch offers you the following tips to help you avoid making unnecessary payments, or even being scammed.
- Check the details of your current domain name: does the renewal notice match this exactly? Look out for small differences, for example .com.au instead of .net.au
- Check who sent you the renewal notice: is it from the company that you originally registered your domain name with?
- Check your records for the actual expiry date for your existing domain name: is it really due to be renewed?
Read more tips on how to avoid domain name renewal scams. The ACCC's fact sheet Domain name renewal/registrations—don't get caught is also a great source of information on domain name issues.
Back to the SCAMwatch Radar
