Archive for August, 2010
Domain Name Scams
There are many variations of this domain name scam but the goal is always the same whether you intend to sell a domain or not. Its only purpose is to seperate you from your money.
It's called the "I'm interested in buying your domain" scam and it works like this.
The most common method used is where you receive an unsolicited email from what appears to be a company interested in buying one or more of your domain names.
It can be an exciting feeling when you receive an email from what appears to be an established business wanting to buy your domain name. Unfortunately, this is exactly the emotion that these scammers are looking to take advantage of.
The email often goes something like this:
Dear Webmaster,
It has come to our attention that you are the rightful owner of yourdomain.com
On behalf of a privately held domain investment firm i would like to know if you are interested in selling this domain name?
Our company has more than 10 years experience in the domain brokering industry and see a potential value in your name. We value a fast and easy communication.
If you are interested in selling yourdomain.com, please send an email to: xxxxx@xxxxxx.net with subject line "Interested in selling yourdomain.com" including your asking price and prefered payment method for further considerations.
Thank you.
Regards,
Scammer
So, you get even more excited, reply with a price, and are thrilled when they promptly accept the price! But in order to "protect themselves", they ask you to get a professional appraisal. If the domain appraises at an amount near the price you quoted they promise to pay that price.
They are even provide you with a link to an appraisal site and a forum where people are raving about this great service. The site, forum and everything associated with it is all fake of course.
Their goal is to get you to order an appraisal. Once you do that, you'll never hear from them again. They've got your money and are on to the next victim.
Pay attention to this warning:
NO LEGITIMATE BUYER will ask you to get an appraisal first!
If someone is interested in your domain, THEY will get an appraisal on their own if they're really interested in your domain. Or, they already know what the domain is worth to them and be more than willing to pay a fair price for it.
If a buyer really wanted an appraisal, the best way to respond is to tell them to get their own appraisal from a place that they know and trust and you can always deduct their cost from the purchase price.
There are also many legitimate buyers who might approach you out of the blue and ask to buy your domain name. It can happen fairly often, especially if you are in the business of buying and selling domains.
It that ever happens, take the time to do your own research before responding to the request. Search their email address in Google, search their name, their company name, their URL, phone number and whatever other information they have provided to you. It doesn't take much checking to find out if you're dealing with a scammer or not.
So, remember, NEVER purchase an appraisal in hopes of selling your domain. Nearly all legitimate buyers will know what they are willing to pay you regardless of any appraisal.
Finally, if you're looking for a great way to sell domains where you're always in control of the entire process, see how the professionals do it and how you can too here.
