Re: domain slamming(?)

[Bob Jones <lists () pavlodarproductions com>]

Edmund,

Our business (providing systems and network administration services to 
small businesses (< 40 users)) has been dealing with these scams and 
similar ones for several years now.  In our cases, there was nothing 
about China in the letters and faxes, just that the domain name was 
going to expire 'soon'.  Usually, these notices come out in the 3-6 
months before current registration expires (as gleaned from whois).

Our solutions were:
1) move domain registration to one of a few places -- ISP for those that 
had webhosting through their ISP, Networksolutions.com, or through us
2) educate the contact person at each client about what to look for -- 
mostly, which registrar is being represented, and is that different from 
the regular registrar.

Another thing to note, coming from the experiences of the first of our 
clients to be hit with the domain slammers and falling for it, is that 
when you are slammed and fall for it, there is generally a large amount 
of headache and extra work that was never done before -- you have to 
fill out statements on company letterhead and fax them to the 2 
different registrars, answering questions like mother's maiden name, and 
the tip-off, being contacted by the current registrar being asked to 
confirm the registration transfer.

Hope this helps anyone else on the list.

Bob Jones,


cc wrote:
> Dear All,
>
> Awhile back, I received an e-mail and fax from this guy supposedly
> representing this CNNIC accredited registrar stating (along the
> lines of an unnamed Mainland China company submitting an application
> to register some Internet Keywords and chinese domain name using
> my company's (the company that I work for) English and Chinese name.
> The guy even faxed a 'certificate of authorization' to me to 'prove'
> that his company was accredited.  (This supposed certificate,
> which I haven't bothered verifying its authentication, looks quite
> 'legit-like'. (think: Photoshop))
>
> The letter appeared very 'urgent' and required 'immediate' attention.
> (Reminds me of Nigerian Scams, btw).   I got a few responses here
> but thought the better of it and ignored the guy completely.
> He called and I just said we weren't interested.
>
> Well, just recently another guy from the same 'accredited' registrar
> called (and faxed) about another company (sister company to the
> first one).  Again. Same M.O.
>
> I did a search and came up with the following site:
>
> http://www.legitiname.com/article.php3?id_article=152
>
> The M.O. in the 'sample' letter in this site is similar to
> the one I received, including the wanton sprinkling of the
> CNNIC name in the letter.
>
> While I doubt anyone in Europe or North America will have any
> troubles with this CNNIC issue(unless your company's thinking
> of moving into the Chinese market), it is still worth
> paying attention how 'time-pressure' tactics work.   To
> be truthful, I nearly did get fooled by the initial letter;
> that is, until I read carefully and thought about it more.
>
> So, the aforementioned site does makes a good suggestion.
> Don't Panic.  Even if the letter gives the impression that
> it's a do-or-die situation, calm down and think.
>
>
> Edmund