Website Domain Renewal Scams: Smart Ways to Protect Your Business
Protect your business from deceptive domain transfer schemes.
Just this week, a client forwarded me a concerning letter she'd received in the mail. The notice claimed her website domain was about to expire and urged her to send payment immediately to avoid losing her online presence. Fortunately, she reached out to me before sending any money.
This wasn't legitimate—it was a scam. And unfortunately, it's becoming increasingly common.
How the Domain Transfer Scam Works
Here's what makes this particularly deceptive: these letters often come from actual, legitimate domain registration companies. But using false information and scare tactics to trick you into transferring your domain and overpaying makes it a scammy, regardless of whether the company itself is "real."
These companies send official-looking letters to domain owners, using urgent language designed to create panic. Their goal? To trick you into "transferring" your domain away from your current provider to them at an inflated price.
Here's what makes these letters so convincing (and dangerous):
They Use Alarming Language
The letters are carefully worded to make you believe you're about to lose your domain. Phrases like "final notice," "immediate action required," and "expiration deadline" are designed to bypass your better judgment and trigger an emotional response.
They Demand Excessive Fees
While most reputable domain registrars charge between $10-$20 per year for domain registration, these companies often demand $265 or more—usually for a 5-year "lock-in" period. That's more than 10 times what you should be paying!
They List False Expiration Dates
Perhaps the most deceptive tactic: these letters show an expiration date that's much sooner than your actual renewal date. The client who contacted me? Her letter claimed her domain was expiring soon, but her actual renewal date wasn't until July 2026—more than eight months away!
This is false information designed purely to scare you into acting quickly.
They Hide Behind the Word "Transfer"
The key word in these letters is often "transfer." This doesn't mean renewing your existing domain registration—it means moving your domain from your current, legitimate provider (like GoDaddy, Porkbun, Squarespace Domains, or whoever you currently use) to their company. Once transferred, you'd be stuck paying their inflated prices.
They Look Official
These letters often mimic the look of legitimate correspondence, complete with official-sounding company names, legal jargon, and professional formatting. Some even include your actual domain information (which is publicly available through WHOIS databases), making them seem even more credible.
The company sending the letter might even be a legitimate domain registrar—but that doesn't make their tactics any less deceptive.
How to Protect Yourself
If you receive a suspicious domain renewal notice, here's what to do:
Don't panic. Take a breath. Your domain isn't disappearing tomorrow. Even if your domain were to actually expire, most registrars offer a grace period of 30-45 days during which you can still renew without losing your domain.
Check with your current provider. Log into your account with your actual domain registrar to verify your real expiration date. Most registrars also send legitimate renewal reminders via email to the address associated with your account.
Look for red flags. Watch out for urgent or threatening language, prices significantly higher than $10-$20/year, the word "transfer" instead of "renewal," and most importantly—check if the expiration date matches what's in your actual registrar account. If the dates don't match, it's a scam tactic.
Verify the sender. Compare the company name on the letter to your actual domain registrar. If they don't match, they're trying to get you to transfer away from your current provider. Your domain registrar information is listed in your original purchase confirmation email.
When in doubt, reach out. Contact your web designer, developer, or IT professional. We're always happy to verify whether a notice is legitimate. It's much better to ask than to accidentally transfer your domain or waste money.
The Truth About Domain Transfers
Here's what's important to understand: You can legitimately transfer your domain between providers if you're unhappy with your current service. That's a normal part of domain management, and sometimes it makes good business sense.
However, legitimate providers don't use scare tactics. They don't send alarming letters with false expiration dates. And they certainly don't charge 10+ times the standard rate.
A legitimate domain transfer is something you choose proactively, based on your needs—not because you were scared into it by misleading information. It's priced competitively, conducted through proper channels with verification steps, and completely transparent about costs and terms.
What Happens If You Fall for It?
If you do accidentally respond to one of these deceptive letters, here's what could happen:
You'll overpay significantly. Instead of $10-$20 per year, you'll be locked into paying $50+ annually for five years.
Your domain will transfer. Your domain will move away from your current provider to this new company, and while you'll still own it, you'll need to go through the proper transfer process (and possibly wait 60 days due to transfer locks) to move it back to your preferred provider.
You might face service issues. These companies often provide minimal customer service, making it difficult to manage your domain or make necessary changes.
The good news is that even if you fall victim to these deceptive tactics, you still own your domain—you've just overpaid and made things more complicated for yourself.
Stay Vigilant
These companies count on business owners being too busy to scrutinize every piece of mail they receive. They exploit the fear of losing something as critical as your website domain, and they use false information to create that fear.
The good news? Once you know what to look for, these deceptive practices are pretty easy to spot.
Setting Up Protection
Here are a few proactive steps you can take to protect yourself:
Enable auto-renewal. Most domain registrars offer automatic renewal options. This ensures your domain stays active without requiring manual intervention each year.
Keep your contact information current. Make sure your registrar has your current email address so you receive legitimate renewal notifications.
Set a calendar reminder. Add your actual domain expiration date to your calendar with a reminder 60 days in advance. This gives you plenty of time to renew without pressure.
Consider domain privacy protection. Many registrars offer privacy protection services that hide your personal information from public WHOIS databases, reducing the likelihood of receiving these deceptive letters in the first place.
Stay Informed and Protected
I hope this article helps you recognize these deceptive practices and feel more confident managing your domain registration. By knowing what to look for and taking a few proactive steps, you can protect yourself from falling victim to these scare tactics. Your domain is an important business asset—and now you have the knowledge to keep it secure.
About Dreamtime Marketing
Dreamtime Marketing designs Squarespace websites and creates branding for health and wellness professionals, counselors, and coaches. We help solo and small group practices build a professional online presence to attract ideal clients. Not ready to dive in just yet? Join our email list to explore expert marketing strategies, actionable tips, and valuable resources designed to help you maximize your marketing efforts. Don't miss out - subscribe today!
