Geeks Bearing Gifts

Formerly “Domain Support Group”, they are sending out warning faxes labelled “FINAL NOTICE OF DOMAIN EXTENSION”

They are not an invoice scam like the DOA used (see previous thread on this or do a Google search). They are trying to sell you — at a rediculously inflated price — the variant of your domain under the “.US” TLD. In other words, if you own mainstreetagency.COM, they will try to trick you through fear and confusion into buying mainstreetagency.US.

The above example is what happened to me. They thought I was the owner and called me for my fax number out of need to send me an urgent notice. I ALMOST gave it to them, but they couldn’t tell me what was such an “important notice” from a company I didn’t already do business with.

They implied they were “THE” authority for domain registry, with direct relationships to all the big registrars, including mine, which they did not name. BUT, they refused to send me any information by email because their “email system is down.” How convenient. They eventually hung up on me after warning me I was missing their earthshatteringly important notice.

The fax one of my clients received is attached; a link to a discussion about this on a forum I am involved with is HERE.

Fax_11412454418014.pdf (43.1 KB)

From: Domain Listing Notification [notifyserv205@yahoo.com]

Message Subject: Domain Notification: Ken Stuczynski This is your Final Notice of Domain Listing

Please do NOT reply to this email, this email is not monitored and any replies sent will NOT be delivered, If you wish to register with us you must follow the instructions below

DOMAlN LlSTING CENTER[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]8171 Yonge St. Suite# 149
Richmond HiIl, ON L3T 2C6
CanadaNOTlCE (Please make necessary changes)ATT: Ken Stuczynski
ADMINISTRATIVE CONTACT
Ken Stuczynski
[EMAIL=master@kentropolis.com]master@kentropolis.com[/EMAIL]
P.O. Box 90
West Seneca , NY 14224 – US
www.OTHERFLOCK.org

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES:
Premium Package

ANNUAL WEBSITE SEARCH ENGINE SUBMISSION
FROM JAN 1,2006 THRU JAN 1,2007
TOTAL
$40.00
$40.00

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 [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]www.OTHERFLOCK.org
Amount
Requested Reply December 21st,2005

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
[ ] 1 Year ………. $40
[ ] 2 Years ………. $70
[ ] 5 Years ………. $150 (Recommended)
[ ] 10 Years ………. $200 (Best Value)

Total $ _______

[LEFT]

________________________________
Signature

________________________________
Date

Payment by Check or Money Order
Print and mail a copy of this order form along with a check or money order to the address listed below:
Domain Listing Center Inc.
8171 Yonge St. Suite# 149
Richmond Hill, ON L3T 2C6
Canada

www.OTHERFLOCK.org
By accepting this offer, you agree not to hold DLC liable for any part. Note that THIS IS NOT A BILL. This is a solicitation. You are under no obligation to pay the amounts stated unless you accept this offer. The information in this letter contains confidential and/or legally privileged information from the notification processing department of the Domain Listing Center Inc. This information is intended only for the use of the individual(s) named above. Email [EMAIL=domainlistingcenter@hotmail.com]domainlistingcenter@hotmail.com[/EMAIL] if you do not want to receive further updates from DLC. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents for this letter is strictly prohibited.

[/LEFT]
[/FONT]

* 100% satisfaction guaranteed, you may request a refund within 30 days if your are not satisfied with our services.

[/FONT]

Yes, they are honest as required by law to make clear it isn’t an invoice.

But no, they have no contact information except a place to mail payment.

Lesson to be learned?

NEVER do business with a company using the Internet unless they have verifyable contact information. If they ask you to print off and mail instead of using two way communication (phone, email, etc.), with rarest of exceptions, they are fly-by-night.