Nominet has recently become aware of attempts to persuade unsuspecting users to pay for domain name products which are not available yet and may not become so. Typical attempts use pressure selling techniques, claiming a very limited opportunity to secure a new version of a registrant’s existing domain name.
We have recently been consulting on the possibility of allowing registration of domains at the second level, i.e. internet.uk but the decision on whether or how to progress has not yet been taken. It has come to our attention that existing co.uk registrants may have been offered the opportunity to pre-register domains with just a .uk ending. This is not a genuine opportunity and should be rejected.
This type of activity is not new and similar methods may be used try to capitalise on the impending changes to the domain name market, including the launch of hundreds of new suffixes in the near future.
Registrants should always be wary of any unsolicited calls or emails regarding their domain name or web presence. If you have an existing domain name and you receive an unsolicited call or email about its registration, you should contact your registrar in the first instance and they will be able to give you advice and verify if any action needs to be taken.
It is also important to read the small print carefully to fully understand what is and is not included in the details of any promotion or offer before completing a transaction.
If you think that you have been the affected by internet fraud then you should contact your local trading standards service.
For more advice on avoiding internet scams please visit our education and information site knowthenet.org.uk.
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