As a business owner or website manager, you may receive official-looking letters in the mail warning you that your domain name is about to expire. These notices often urge you to take immediate action and send payment to “renew” your domain. But be cautious—these are not legitimate renewal notices from your current domain registrar.
What to Watch Out For
These letters are typically sent by third-party companies that are not your actual domain registrar. They use scare tactics and formal formatting to pressure you into transferring your domain to their service—often at much higher prices than you’re currently paying.
Look carefully at the fine print, usually found at the bottom or back of the letter. It will often state something like:
“This is not a bill. You are under no obligation to pay the amounts stated unless you accept this offer.”
Or:
“We are not your current domain registrar.”
While legal, this tactic is intentionally deceptive.
How to Check Your Real Domain Registrar
To verify who your actual domain registrar is:
- Go to https://whois.domaintools.com or https://lookup.icann.org/
- Enter your domain name (e.g., yourbusiness.com).
- Look for the Registrar section—this will tell you the company that currently manages your domain.
Common registrars include GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains, Bluehost, and others.
What You Should Do
- Do not respond to these mailers or send payment unless you’ve verified it’s your actual registrar.
- Log into your registrar’s account directly (never use links in a letter or email unless you’re sure of the source).
- Set a reminder on your calendar for your real domain expiration date. You can find this under the “Expiration Date” field in a WHOIS lookup or in your registrar dashboard.
- Enable auto-renewal with your real registrar if available. This can prevent accidental expiration.
Final Thoughts
Scammers rely on confusion and urgency. Don’t let your domain—one of your most valuable digital assets—fall victim to a deceptive marketing tactic. Always verify your registrar, keep your login information secure, and stay informed about when and how your domain is set to renew.
If you’re unsure about a notice you’ve received, contact your me for assistance. 541-961-1889