[conspire] Warning to domain owners: renewal/transfer scam

[Rick Moen]

I've altered the e-mail below to redact out details of the target
domain-owner, at whom this mail was aimed.  The outfit doing this is
notorious for bulk-sending notices, both via e-mail and USPS paper mail,
that closely resemble invoices from one's current registrar, until one
looks at them closely.  (I've never been fooled, but I keep hearing
about people who have.)

This Toronto-and-Buffalo-based (and sometimes, Jamaica, NY-based) firm
operates under a variety of names.  "Domain Listing Center" is a new one
on me:  It's usually "Domain Registry of America" / DROA / Domain
Registry of Canada and several other variations.  If you Web-search on
"droa scam", you'll find many people's complaints about the firm, and
discussion on the matter.

Apparently, many people are in the habit of paying off anything that
arrives and appears to be a bill.  Reportedly, many domain owners who've
paid DROA pseudo-invoices are then surprised to find out, later, that
they have inadvertantly transferred the domains _away_ from their
preferred registrars, and into DROA hands.

I'm not going to repeat the allegations I've heard about DROA _as_ a
replacement registrar, but they're not pretty (and include ridiculously
high rates for subsequent renewals).  In one case, I've heard it alleged
that the firm altered a domain's Registrant (owner) field to list itself
as the new owner, at the same time that it transferred the domain to
itself upon receipt of a response to one of its notices.  (I am not in a
position to confirm that claim.)  




 Subject: Domain Notification: [victim name redacted] This is your Final Notice of Domain Listing - [domain name redacted]
 Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 08:49:19 -0700
 From: Domain Srvcs <domain27472 at hotmail.com>
 To: [victim's address redacted]

DOMAIN LISTING CENTER
8171 Yonge St. Suite# 149
Thornhill, ON L3T 2C6
Canada
________________________________
NOTICE
WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY PAYMENTS FROM YOU
________________________________

(Please make necessary changes)
ATT: [name redacted]
ADMINISTRATIVE CONTACT
[organisation name, USPS address, e-mail address, and Web site URL redacted]


DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES:
Premium Package



        ANNUAL WEBSITE SEARCH ENGINE SUBMISSION
FROM OCTOBER 1,2008 THRU OCTOBER 1,2018
OR
FROM OCTOBER 1,2008 THRU OCTOBER 1,2013

TOTAL
        $295.00

$185.00



SUBSCRIPTION INCLUDES:





 *   Custom keyword research
 *   Optimized title and meta tags
 *   Submission to 900 search engines and directories
 *   safe follow-up re-submissions every 3 months
 *   Helpful professional support


THIS IS NOT A BILL. This is a solicitation. You are under no obligation
to pay the amount(s) stated unless you accept this offer.

________________________________
Domain Name

[domain name redacted]          Amount

        Requested Reply

September 30th,2008

THIS NOTICE IS A SOLICITATION AND A RECEIPT OF PAYMENT WILL CONFIRM YOUR
ANNUAL SUBMISSION
*100% SATISFACTION IS GUARANTEED OR YOUR MONEY BACK

Please select the number of years you would like to signup for
[ ] 10 Years .......... $295 (Best Value, Most Recommended!)
[ ]   5 Years .......... $185
[ ]   2 Years .......... $99
[ ]   1 Years .......... $75
If you have other domains you may list them below (please send a
separate check for each domain and write your domain name on the memo
section of the check)
Other domain(s) __________________ , __________________ , __________________