I have a forum that went down while I was involved in a move.

When I got back online after the move my forum Admin had moved the domain name into her name and not only that moved the data from my host to her host.
This is a person that I have paid for work preformed.
She told me that she had to move them in order to fix things but I don't think it really needed to be moved.
She sent me an invoice for this move and told me it had to be done in order to save the forum. I paid the invoice.
Later I asked for the domain name to be changed back to me and I wanted new hosting account moved into my name.
She responded that she is not trying to steal my forum and wanted to know why I wanted it transfered back so fast.
She has several times in emails said it was my forum and that she is not trying to steal it but will not return them. In the latest emails she wants to know what my intent is after I get them back.
The last email she gave me a list to pick from if I want the name and the site returned to me. One of the options is to sign a contract for her have continued paid involvement in the forum. One of the other options is for me to pay her to return my property.
I think this smacks of extortion. I was going to do further business with her but her reaction to my request for the transfer makes me not want to deal with her anymore.
As an added note: She has replaced my paypal account on the forum with her own. Any thoughts on this situation?

I think this smacks of extortionI think you're right.

It looks like shes trying to steal your forum :/

Contact the registrar and attempt to prove that the forum belongs to you. You could cite the fact that it was originally in your name, as well as provide the correspondence in which your admin acknowledges that you are the rightful owner.

Lunar pages says I am stuck because the admin contact information was changed.

I have been talking to the Admin,

She is holding the site for ransom. She wants me to sign a contract or pay a ransom to get it back.

Lunar pages says I am stuck because the admin contact information was changed.

I have been talking to the Admin,

She is holding the site for ransom. She wants me to sign a contract or pay a ransom to get it back.

Is she in the same country/state/province as you? If so I'd contact the local authorities and talk to a lawyer.

I'd also contact the registrar and tell them she hijacked your domain name. I'm sure they have whois information history. Also send them your email correspondence with her.

You should contact the host support or as evolver said contact her local authorities.

You can prove with the invoices and payment history.

It's extortion. Take it to the police.

Contact the registrar and attempt to prove that the forum belongs to you. You could cite the fact that it was originally in your name, as well as provide the correspondence in which your admin acknowledges that you are the rightful owner.

Generally speaking, registrars don't get involved in ownership disputes like this one. I've handled one too many, and my peers more or less experience the same things.

Evolver gave the best "advice".

I don't think a lawyer is the answer for everything. That should be saved as a last resort. In most situations it is not feasible, or necessary. That goes for more than just domain names.

Kiss her ***, sign the contract and get your stuff back. Then tell her to get bent. When she threatens to sue you, tell her you'd welcome the chance to tell a judge how she tried to extort money from you. ;)

--Tina

Kiss her ***, sign the contract and get your stuff back. Then tell her to get bent. When she threatens to sue you, tell her you'd welcome the chance to tell a judge how she tried to extort money from you. ;)

--TinaYou took the words right outa my mouth.

She told me that she had to move them in order to fix things

this is a judgement call, and her saying it doesn't make it true.


let godaddy know their systems have been involved in interstate fraud. fax them the emails. they probably don't know, and they might help.

let lunarpages know their systems have been involved in interstate fraud. fax them the emails.


be prepared to take it to the FBI (sounds like interstate fraud to me)

if you were paying her, there are bound to be some more laws about employees and digital theft and networks and hacking and stuff.


** get moving on this **


oh, and don't get mad when you read this, but isn't this the second or third time you've been burned by not having secure control of a domain name? the people here at wht can offer suggestions on reducing the risk.

Yeah, always make sure domains are in YOUR name. Your developers do NOT need to be listed on there, no matter what they tell you.

Sign the contract. Do whatever it takes to get the domain name 100% back into your hands and control over your forum.

Then, after you have total control... remove her user from the forum and tell her to speak with your lawyer if she contacts you.

Any contract you sign under duress like this will never be enforceable.

Also, the registrar where the domain name is registered will have records of the previous WHOIS information. You should contact them and initiate a domain ownership dispute. Lunarpages is not a registrar. They are only a host. You need to speak with the domain registrar.

Good luck!