Have you ever received a “Domain Name Expiration Notice” from either the Domain Registry of Canada or the Domain Registry of America such as the one shown here to the right?
If you do get one, just shred it!
The letter will be addressed to you, and opens with “As a courtesy to domain holders we are sending you this notification of the domain name registration that is due to expire in the next few months“.
It also advises that “You must renew your domain name to retain exclusive rights to it on the Web” and “Failure to renew yur domain name 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”.
Hmmm… that could cause some concern, right?
Well, pay attention to those sections that read “transfer and renew your name from your current Registrar” and “THIS IS A SOLICITATION FOR THE ORDER OF SERVICES AND NOT A BILL“, or you may get tricked into transfering and renewing your domain for 1, 2 or 5 years at exorbitant prices — $160.00CDN for five years.
Don't get fooled!!
If you get a letter or email from the Domain Registry of America, trash it and file a complaint with the FTC. If you get one from the Domain Registry of Canada, please read and follow the information supplied by the Competition Bureau all the way back in 2001.