Don't Be Fooled By Fake DNS Services Bills

Some of our clients have recently received what appear to be bills from purported DNS Services companies.  These bills ask that you pay for what they call Managed DNS Backup Business Services.  If you've received one of these “bills” - DON'T PAY IT.  This is a scam that's designed to dupe you out of your domain name (and a few bucks in the process).

"How did they get my information?" you might ask?  By accessing public records (WHOIS Domain Lookup, for example), these companies make it appear as if they hold proprietary information about you, your company, your domain and your DNS.  They hope that by including this information on the “bill” that you will be compelled to pay them their asking fee (usually around $65).  Do so and you’re likely to lose your domain name (and maybe even your website).

One way to prevent scammers from accessing your WHOIS information is to purchase domain privacy from your registrar (GoDaddy, Network Solutions, etc.).  With domain privacy the registrar substitutes your WHOIS information with the info of a forwarding service, thus removing your information from the visible record.  While this method is not foolproof (some forwarding services will release information with a simple phone request), it is another layer of protection in maintaining your privacy.

If you receive a “bill” for DNS services please read it over closely.  It’s likely that buried in the verbiage is a line stating that it’s a solicitation for services and not a “bill”.  If you still have questions, contact wddonline before you cut a check.  We’re looking out for you and we’ll help to determine the legitimacy of the statement.

Contact wddonline:  

(PH) 330.334.3132

(EM) social@wddonline.com

Your Domain Name Is Like A Car. Is The "Title" In Your Name?

Your domain name is an asset like a car and needs to be controlled and protected.

And, just like a car, your domain name has a Title.

If someone other than you (your website provider, an employee or former employee) is listed as the Registrant of your domain name you don’t own it, they do!

It’s very easy, and free, to check. Just go here: http://www.networksolutions.com/whois/index.jsp

Type your domain name in the “Search all WHOIS Records” box and click the “search” button.

The results will display three contacts:

• Registrant (or owner)
• This should be you.
• Administrative contact
• Anyone the owner designates to manage the domain name, pay for renewals, designate technical contacts and keep the contact information up to date.
• This is usually someone in your organization or your IT or website company.
• Technical Contact:
• Anyone the owner or administrator designates to “point” your domain name to the proper servers for your website, web services and email.
• This is usually your IT or website company.

If you are not the Registrant you need to work with the current owner and the Registrar (this is just a fancy Internet name for “title agency”) to get ownership.

While you at it, be sure that all three contacts have current information (Names, addresses, email) are up to date.