Are You Being Scammed?
Is that Bill Real? Chances are, the bill you receive in an email regarding your domain or website is not what you are lead to believe it is!
You are being fooled into buying something you don’t want or need!
Recently, WebAuthorings has seen a big rise in companies attempting to take advantage of our clients. Often times technology moves so fast that many of us can’t keep up. We get involved with work, family, friends and life in general. Paying attention to the newest changes that have to do with Internet protocols and SEO practices just seems to fall through the cracks.
Predators have been taking advantage of the fast-paced changes in technology and preying on your lack of comprehension…
Here are some real-life examples of how these companies make themselves look like they are selling legitimate services. Using company names and industry terminology, these companies are smart and spin words and use language that says exactly what it is they are doing, without it sounding like they are taking advantage of you… which is what is really happening.
From a client email, see the below for actual wording, (Names and Dates may have been changed to protect the innocent):
Hi, Howard: Got a bill today from a company called IDNS (Internet Domain Name Services) saying that registration for exampledomainname.com will expire on July 9, 2016.
Privatization of Domain Registrations and Renewals now allows the consumer the choice of Registrars when initially registering and also when renewing a domain name. Domain name holders are not obligated to renew their domain name with their current Registrar or with Internet Domain Name Services.
If this is correct and this company is legitimate, this will be my way of fixing the website and facebook which I have not had access to. Please let me know.
They want for exampledomainname.com….1 year $45.00 and 2 years $80.00
In this example, the company name IDNS (Internet Domain Name Services) sounds real, something we recognize. It should sound like something you have heard of before because the name IDNS (Internet Domain Name Services) is very similar to the widely know Acronym DNS as in (Domain Name System) link to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain_Name_System. A DNS is a hierarchical decentralized naming system for resources connected to the Internet, it associates information with a domain name.
Now that they have a company name that you subconsciously may associate with your domain name and the internet, they compound it further by talking about some factual information “Privatization of…allows the consumer the choice of Registrars when initially registering …. renewing a domain name.” Then they suggest that you should pay for something if your URL is legitimate this way something that may be broken can be repaired.
In this case, the fee they wanted was more expensive (HOWARD CONFIRM THIS IS TRUE) than what is currently being charged by the Domain Name Registrar, an example of one of the largest Registrars is GoDaddy, also WebAuthorings’ favorite registrar!
When done “correctly”, these solicitations and notices look so convincing that even people who know the business and the lingo can be fooled if they don’t read carefully.
From a client email, see the below for actual wording, (Names and dates may have been changed to protect the innocent):
From Actual customer correspondence:
Domain Notification for exampledomain.com : This is your Final Notice of Domain ListingFrom: [email protected]Subject: Domain Notification for exampledomain.com : This is your Final Notice of Domain ListingDate: Sun, 13 Dec 2015 15:15:34 +0200Attention: Important Notice , DOMAIN SERVICE NOTICEDomain Name:exampledomain.comATT: Your Nameexampledomain.comResponse Requested By14 – Dec. – 2015PART I: REVIEW NOTICEAttn: Your NameAs 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.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 registration includes domain name search engine submission. 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: exampledomain.com will expire at 11:59PM EST, 14 – Dec. – 2015 Act now!Select Package:https://www.domainsubmit.link/?domain=exampledomain.comPayment by Credit/Debit CardSelect the term using the link above by 14 – Dec. – 2015https://exampledomain.com
In this example, this solicitation makes it seem like they are helping you avoid domain name expiration, warning you of a possible interruption in service. What these artists are doing is trying to get you to switch to their Registrar provider services. I call them artists because they are skilled in the area of conniving. The practice they are using to have you switch to their service is sometimes referred to as “Black Hat”. It’s called black hat because you would not switch to them because of merit and a great service track record, therefore the only thing they have left in their arsenal is trickery and deception.
Sadly, this is a perfectly legal practice.
From a client email, see the below for actual wording, (Names and Dates may have been changed to protect the innocent)
This is my favorite example. They start by throwing out a term we have started to hear about recently, SEO Optimization. They use it everywhere in this message, in the company name, all over and throughout the body of the message. SEO Optimization is a real thing. SEO Optimization , when done correctly can increase the visibility of a business on search engines such as, but not limited to Google, BING and Yahoo. It can not just bringing more clients to your site but more relevant clients who are more likely to purchase goods or services. It’s suggested that if you don’t jump on-board and pay, something will expire, you are lead to believe it could be something with your domain, but then slide in there its for “search engine optimization submission”. In the fine print all the way at the bottom, finally in plain English, it’s stated how this is not a bill, but a notification offer.
Want to know more about SEO?
We Rock SEO is a division of WebAuthorings, LLC which uses White Hat Methods to increase your website’s visibility to search engines and rankings within search engines. Getting you to higher search engine rankings takes thought, planning, and consistent practices. There is no magic wand you wave to get front page organic rankings. As a matter of fact, if too many “Black Hat” Methods are used, it will do the opposite of getting you to page one, it will get you blacklisted.
Buyer Beware
In the buyer beware time we live in today, WebAuthorings, LLC is looking out for your interests. We understand that you have busy lives. We want to make you aware of what’s going on out there so that no one takes advantage of you or your business. Know what your domain names are, who your registrar is, know when your domain name expires/renews. Never give out your passwords to untrusted and unknown entities! When in doubt, reach out to us and ask us the questions just as these clients did. It just may save you time, money, and a big headache. No question is too small or too stupid.