Domain Registry of America Scam

A customer of mine recently received a deceptive notice from Domain Registry of America. The "notice," which looks more like a bill than a notice, gives the impression that the domains he owns are about to expire and must be renewed. Domain Registry of America's notice informed him that, "Failure to renew your domain names by the expiration date may result in a loss of your online identity making it difficult for your customers and friends to locate you on the Web." Unfortunately, my customer like many others believed this to be a legitimate invoice and paid it. I only found out when the registrar sent a notice of an attempted transfer.

The scam is nothing new. In 2003, the Federal Trade Commission slapped the Canada-based Domain Registry of America (DROA) on its wrists for deceptive practices and

"Under the terms of the stipulated final order announced today, Domain Registry of America (DROA), based in Ontario, Canada, may be required to provide redress to up to 50,000 consumers, is prohibited from engaging in similar conduct in the future, and is subject to stringent monitoring by the Commission to ensure its compliance with the court order."

On top of Domain Registry of America's deceptive practices, its domain prices are outrageous (sometimes 2 to 3 times higher than the industry norm). If you receive a notice from Domain Registry of America, DO NOT SEND MONEY. It is a scam.

Here are some other references:

• http://blog.tigertech.net/posts/droa-scams-continuing/
• http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2003/12/domainreg.shtm
• http://www.webmasterworld.com/webmaster_business_issues/4105205.htm
• http://www.websourcellc.com/blog/domain-registry-of-america-scam.htm
• http://www.searchengineoptimizationjournal.com/2008/03/18/domain-registry/
• http://blog.forret.com/2004/12/domain-registry-of-america-scam/
• http://www.gn.apc.org/support/domain-registry-america-scam
• http://support.4domains.com/KB/a24/are-you-affiliated-with-domain-registry-america-why.aspx