Another Domain Solicitation Scam to 'watch out for'

  • Tuesday, 1st July, 2014
  • 11:11am
There is a newish scam going around which is a solicitation for "search engine registration".

It's cleverly worded and resembles a domain name registration renewal invoice and has illegally used the publicly available WHOIS information to obtain your details. 

This solicitation with warnings that you must answer before a certain date etc etc. is designed to catch you on the hop of your busy life and they get up to $499 of your money for doing absolutely nothing.

It looks like the  example  copied below:

Please contact us if you are ever unsure about any notification you receive about your domain name or hosting.

It is important that you do not overlook a recent ICANN requirement to verify your domain name details  that will be sent from  Oceania (domains@oceania.com.au) if you qualify to receive one. ( Read more at foot of page: http://www.oceaniawebhosting.com.au/Domain_Names.php)

The Oceania Team.
 

================================ E X A M P L E   O F  S C A M    E M A I L ==============================

From: Domain Services <notices@freevu.org>
To: YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
Subject: Domain Notification: REGISTRANT'S NAME This is your Final Notice of Domain Listing - Domain Name

Attention: Important Notice , DOMAIN SERVICE NOTICE
Domain Name: example.com


Complete and return by fax to:
1-716-242-0416

ATT: Registrant Name
ADMINISTRATIVE CONTACT
PRIVATE
Your email address
PO BOX xxxxx - - BRUxxxxxEADS - NEW SOUTH WALES - xxxxx
AUSTRALIA
WWW.example.com
Please ensure that your contact information is correct or make the necessary changes above

Requested Reply
JUNE 30,2014


PART I: REVIEW SOLICITATION


Attn: Registrant's Name
As a courtesy to domain name holders, we are sending you this notification for your business Domain name search engine registration. This letter is to inform you that it's time to send in your registration and save.

Failure to complete your Domain name search engine registration by the expiration date may result in cancellation of this offer making it difficult for your customers to locate you on the web.

Privatization allows the consumer a choice when registering. Search engine subscription includes domain name search engine submission. You are under no obligation to pay the amounts stated below unless you accept this offer. Do not discard, this notice is not an invoice it is a courtesy reminder to register your domain name search engine listing so your customers can locate you on the web.

This Notice for: WWW.example.com will expire on JUNE 30,2014 Act today!


Select Term:


[ ] 1 year   06/30/2014 - 06/30/2015 $75.00
[ ] 2 year   06/30/2014 - 06/30/2016 $119.00
[ ] 5 year   06/30/2014 - 06/30/2019 $199.00
[ ] 10 year -Most Recommended- 06/30/2014 - 06/30/2024 $295.00
[ ] Lifetime (NEW!) Limited time offer - Best value! Lifetime $499.00

Today's Date: _____________________ Signature: _____________________

Payment by Credit Card
Select the term above, then return by fax: 1-716-242-0416

example.com



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By accepting this offer, you agree not to hold DS liable for any part. Note that THIS IS NOT A BILL. This is a solicitation. You are under no obligation to pay the amounts stated unless you accept this offer. The information in this letter contains confidential and/or legally privileged information from the notification processing department of the DS 3501 Jack Northrop Ave. Suite #F9238 Hawthorne, CA 90250 USA, This information is intended only for the use of the individual(s) named above. There is no pre-existing relationship between DS and the domain mentioned above. This notice is not in any part associated with a continuation of services for domain registration. Search engine submission is an optional service that you can use as a part of your website optimization and alone may not increase the traffic to your site. If you do not wish to receive further updates from DS reply with Remove to unsubscribe. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents for this letter is strictly prohibited.

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