Watch Out for Internet Slam Scams

The Domain Slam

June 2003
Over the past few months I've seen and heard about companies sending out solicitations that look deceptively like invoices. Usually these "bills" relate to renewing your domain name or submitting your site to search engines.

The domain renewal notices tend to be very official looking using headings like "FINAL Notice". At a quick glance you might think that if you don't respond quickly with payment you'll lose your domain. When in reality, all they're doing is transferring your domain to their account. It's the internet version of long-distance phone service "slamming" that has occurred over the past several years.

Internet Marketing "Services"

The internet marketing "invoice" solicitation offers to submit your web site to 14 major search engines. While their service seems legititmate—I'm sure they do submit your site to 14 SE's—I'd hesitate to do business with a company that uses such deceptive practices to get your business. Besides, chances are your site has already been submitted to at least the "14 major" search engines--if not far more than that.

We're all busy, but please take the time to review any invoices related to your website. If not, you could end up transfering your domain to a company whose services you've not requested or paying for search engine submittals that have already been done. If you have any questions about any website or domain related bill, please contact me.