Domain Name Registration Scammer Hit By ACCC Action

If you have a domain name registered in Australia you’ve probably received what looks like a renewal notice telling you you need pay a few hundred bucks for that domain you registered for $20 a year or two ago. The ACCC is taking action against Domain Name Corp Pty Ltd and Domain Name Agency Pty Ltd over this scam.

I’ve received a few of these over the years. They look like renewal notices but the prices are greatly inflated. For example, a quick check on GoDaddy revealed you can register a .com.au domain for $9.99. And while renewals often cost more the markups aren’t in excess of $250 – which is what the ACCC alleges these guys have been trying.

It’s been a good earner with ACCC Deputy Chair Dr Michael Schaper saying “The ACCC believes that Australian businesses and organisations paid approximately $2.3 million to the Domain Companies as a result of receiving the notices”.

It’s really important to check all bills carefully. This scam should fail at the first hurdle – whoever pays the bills for your business should know who your domain registrar is.