Boom Visibility scam graphic

If you are a small business owner who has purchased a domain name, then you may have come across a domain listing scam invoice. The documentation looks legit—the invoice has a logo, and an account number, and includes your contact information and domain name.

But beware, these statements are designed to mask their true intentions. The statement may claim to be a registration for your domain name, ensure your site remains active, or optimize your website- however before you write a check, do some investigating!

A quick search of the company name or text from the letter might give you some insight into the legitimacy of the message.

A Closer Look

There are several companies that run similar website scams that have deceived many people; most scam statements follow a particular format. Check out some examples we have seen.

Domain Listings

Domain Listings Statement

The following text is pulled from this domain listing company based in Las Vegas, NV:

This website listing offer is provided to leading websites throughout the United States to enhance their Website exposure and to expose them to new customers through our directory. We are not a Domain Registrar and we do not Register or Renew Domain Names. The listing period is for 12 consecutive months and must be renewed annually if you wish to renew your Domain Listing and keep it active on our online website directory.

THIS IS NOT A BILL. THIS IS A SOLICITATION. YOU ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO PAY THE AMOUNT STATED ABOVE UNLESS YOU ACCEPT THIS OFFER.

MainStreet Web Pros

MainStreet Web Pros Statement

The following text is pulled from this web hosting company based in Wilmington, DE: 

Hosting your website with us will ensure your website remains active, that you retain exclusive rights to it on the Web and now is the time to transfer your web hosting from your current provider to MainStreet Web Pros LLC. Failure to renew your web hosting by the expiration date may result in website outages and a loss of your online identity making it difficult for your customers to reach you on the Web. Privatization of web hosting and renewals allows the customer the choice of web hosting providers when initially establishing a website and also when renewing web hosting. Web hosting customers are not obligated to renew their web hosing with their current provider or with MainStreet Web Pros LLC. We would like you to renew your web hosting with MainStreet Web Pros LLC. There are no contracts and you are under no obligation to pay the amount stated here-within. This is a solicitation for the order of goods or services, or both, and not a bill, invoice, or statement of the account due. You are under no obligation to make any payments on account of this offer unless you accept this offer. This notice is not a bill, it is rather an easy means of payment should you decide to renew your hosting with MainStreet Web Pros LLC.

Internet Domain Name Services

iDNs scam

The following text is pulled from this domain provider company based in Jersey City, NJ: 

You must renew your domain name to retain exclusive rights to it on the Web, and now is the time to transfer and renew your current Registrar to Internet Domain Name Services. Failure to renew your 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.

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. Review our prices and decide for yourself. You are under no obligation to pay the amounts stated below, unless you accept this offer. This notice is not a bill, it is rather an easy means of payment should you decide to switch your domain name registration to Internet Domain Name Services.

United States Domain Authority

domain listings solicitationThe following text is pulled from this domain listing company based in Hendersonville, NC:

This website listing offer is provided to leading websites throughout the United States to enhance their Website exposure and expose them to new customers through our directory. We are not a domain registrar and we do not Register or Renew Domain names. The listing period is for 12 consecutive months and must be renewed annually if you wish to maintain your Domain listing and keep it active on our online website directory. 

THIS IS NOT A BILL. THIS IS A SOLICITATION, YOU ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO PAY THE AMOUNT STATED ABOVE UNLESS YOU ACCEPT THIS OFFER.

Domain Networks Scam

domain networks scamWebsite managers and business owners are now the targets of a Domain Networks scam. Similar to other domain scams, the target will typically receive a letter in the mail with a false invoice from ‘Domain Networks’ – a fake company with deceitful goals. Many times, the invoice will be for $200+, much more than you will typically be paying for services for GoDaddy and your website hosting fee (which usually only totals about $100 each year).

The following text is pulled from this domain listing company based in Hendersonville, NC:

This website listing offer is provided to leading websites throughout the United States to enhance their Website exposure and expose them to new customers through our directory. We are not a domain registrar and we do not Register or Renew Domain names. The listing period is for 12 consecutive months and must be renewed annually if you wish to maintain your Domain listing and keep it active on our online website directory. 

THIS IS NOT A BILL. THIS IS A SOLICITATION, YOU ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO PAY THE AMOUNT STATED ABOVE UNLESS YOU ACCEPT THIS OFFER

Tips for Avoiding Domain Scams

Read the Fine Print

If the format looks authentic, focus on the verbiage. Often, these forms use similar phrases.

Look out for the following claims:

“This website listing offer is provided to leading websites throughout the United States to enhance their Website exposure and to expose them to new customers through our directory.”

However, if you continue to read, the document will usually include:

“We are not a Domain Registrar and we do not Register or Renew Domain Names.”

Generally, the invoice will state:

“This is not a bill. This is a solicitation. You are under no obligation to pay the amount stated above unless you accept this offer.”

This last statement will appear toward the bottom of the last paragraph of the text. Many content in the fine print is meant to help the scammer avoid legal ramifications.

6 Tips for Determining If a Domain Renewal Letter Is Legitimate

Still unsure? We recommend:

  1. Thoroughly examine all paper domain statements. Usually, domain name registration renewals will come via email.
  2. While scanning the invoice, take note: does the invoice have a contact number? Generally, scammed documentation will not include direct contact information. If it does, try calling the number.
  3. Do a web search. Does the company have a website? Most of these scams are heavily documented on the internet, which can help you determine the validity of the source.
  4. Remember where you purchased your domain name. If you used a reputable company like GoDaddy, you will receive an invoice directly from the company. Normally, you will be charged $15-$20 a year for your domain name- an invoice for more is questionable.
  5. Track the date you are up for renewal. If you purchased your domain name for a year in December of 2018, you should expect to receive a reminder sometime in November of 2019.
  6. If you are still unsure, take a picture and call your digital marketing company.

What kinds of scams have you come across? We’d love to hear about it!


  • Paige
  • Paige | Account Manager & Copywriter

    Having originally interned as a copywriter at Boom, Paige joined the team full time as an account manager after receiving her bachelor’s degree in web design, business and technical writing, and contemplative studies from West Chester University. Her passion for learning, experience in small business management, and interest in web development make her an ideal fit for Boom’s growing client base.

    Paige currently resides in Philadelphia where she enjoys volunteering with a global music community, discovering new breweries, and meeting cute dogs.

Posted In: Security, Web Design

4 thoughts on “Beware of Scam Domain Listing Invoices

  1. Tak Joon

    We have received an invoice from Domain Listings for the amount of $228. for the annual listing of our website. today and the invoice has a due date to pay them this amount ../../2019. Our small business has no business with this company. Our web site is hosted with another company. I do not understand why our authorities do not try to stop these kind of internet or mailing scams. My staff almost was ready to pay for it but then we understood that invoice is nothing but an internet or mailing scam. If this mailing is a solicitation it should be very clear to the receiver, it looks like an invoice and I think many people would be misled by seeing these kind of invoices.

    Reply
    1. boomadmin Post author

      Unfortunately it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to get reimbursed. If you do find a way to get reimbursed, we would love to hear what happens.

      Reply

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