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Beware of Domain Renewal Scams

Domain renewal scams are a common tactic used by fraudulent companies to trick business owners, like financial advisors, into paying unnecessary fees or unknowingly transferring their domain to a new registrar. This article will help you recognize these scams and know what to do if you receive a suspicious renewal notice.

How these scams work

Scammers purchase publicly available domain information from data brokers who collect records via online domain lookup tools. This allows them to see when your domain is set to expire and time their outreach to arrive before your legitimate renewal notice does.

These fraudulent notices are designed to look official, often use legitimate-sounding company names and professional letterhead, and may even include a payment stub with your business name and domain pre-filled. Scam notices often include fine print stating that it is not a bill. 

This practice is known as domain slamming.

Here is an example of what these notices may look like:

ExampleDomainRenewalScam (2)

FMG-managed domains

If FMG manages your domain, you do not need to take any action to renew it. FMG automatically renews domains for all active subscribers in good standing before their expiration date each year.

If you receive any renewal notice by mail or email, it did not come from FMG. You can safely disregard it. If you're unsure whether FMG manages your domain, contact our support team at service@fmgsuite.com.

Self-managed domains

If you manage your domain independently through a registrar like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or another provider, legitimate renewal notices will be sent directly by that registrar via email.

🚩Here are some red flags to watch for:

  • Renewal notices sent by postal mail: legitimate registrars almost never send renewal notices by mail due to the cost and volume involved. A letter about your domain renewal is almost certainly a scam.
  • The company name doesn't match your registrar: check your records or previous billing statements to confirm who your actual registrar is.
  • Requests for payment by check or cash:  legitimate registrars process payments online by credit card, which offers fraud protections and the ability to dispute charges.
  • Vague or fine-print-heavy language: scam notices often bury the true nature of the transaction in fine print, making the notice look like a routine renewal. Sometimes the fine print even says the notice is not a bill. 

What to do if you receive a suspicious notice

  • Do not pay or fill out any forms included in the notice.
  • Compare the company name on the notice against your actual registrar.
  • Contact your registrar directly using the contact information on their official website, not the information in the notice itself.
  • If you're an FMG customer and are unsure, reach out to our support team at service@fmgsuite.com or (858) 251-2420.

How to protect yourself

  • Know your registrar: Keep a record of who manages your domain and when it's set to expire. Check out this related article if you need help finding who manages your domain: Finding Your DNS Provider
  • Lock your domain: Most registrars offer a domain lock feature that prevents unauthorized transfers. Check with your registrar to ensure this is enabled.
  • Train anyone who handles your mail or invoices: Scammers rely on busy office staff processing invoices without verifying their legitimacy. Make sure anyone who handles billing knows to flag domain-related notices for review.