Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Domain Names : Domain Registry of America? Snail Spammers!

[ScottD]

I just received a an "important notice" from Domain Registry of America that looks almost like an invoice. These silly people are spamming people who's domains are about to expire and trying to get them to 'switch'.

Is it me, or is this really really annoying? Email is bad enough, what with all of those helpless electrons and photons being forced to take shape through fiber pipes and copper tunnels. But now the trees are suffering as well.

A sad day...

[cperciva]

Originally posted by DizixCom
But now the trees are suffering as well.

Umm, junk mail has been around for much longer than spam email...

[SumBodyElze]

Originally posted by DizixCom
I just received a an "important notice" from Domain Registry of America that looks almost like an invoice. These silly people are spamming people who's domains are about to expire and trying to get them to 'switch'.

A client of mine got the same junk in the mail a few days ago. Unfortunately they fell for it before I could get to them. They sent in a check thinking it was a legit renewal from either me or the current registrar.

Just what I need... another skanky registrar to deal with.

---------------------------------------
Eugene Barnes

<<Please set up an signature (see PROFILES button above)>>

[batcavenet]

Has anyone else thought about just mounting a trash can on a pole by the curb and writing mail on it?

[thewitt]

The False Billing tactics being used by a number of domain registration companies right now amount to US Postal Fraud, so if you receive one of these and want to stop this from happening, report it to your local post office, or through the web interface on the US Postal Service website.

Though there are rumors flying around of class action suits, the Postal Service route is probably faster and more economical.

There are specific rules and regulations that must be followed for sending advertising in the form of an invoice through the US Mail service - DRoA and Verisign both appear in my opinion to be in clear violation of these regulations.

-t

[SumBodyElze]

I wish I hadn't thrown my DRoA, Interland, and Verisign "renewal" forms away... oh, well.

[WildWayz]

I have had a *lot* of this - just tore up one - got one unopened if u need it.

James

[bok]

Register.com Sues Rival For Alleged Customer Deception
Tuesday September 17, 11:46 am ET

By Ross Snel, Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES


NEW YORK -(Dow Jones)- Register.com Inc. (NasdaqNM:RCOM - News) is suing competitor Domain Registry of America Inc., alleging it used deceptive practices to try to win over Register.com customers.
The complaint adds to the list of legal battles in the highly competitive Internet registrar business. VeriSign Inc. (NasdaqNM:VRSN - News) , for example, has been the focus of several lawsuits related to the way it sought new customers.

Register.com, New York, is an Internet registrar, which means it sells Web addresses, or domain names, on a retail basis.

Its complaint, filed last month in federal District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleges that Domain Registry of America and its affiliates improperly gained access to Register.com's database of customer information.

Domain Registry of America, Markham, Ontario, resells Internet addresses on behalf of registrar eNom Inc. It has been sending direct mail promotions to Register.com customers, advising them to "renew" their domain names before they expire, the complaint alleges.

The promotions fail to mention that Register.com, and not Domain Registry of America, is the original registrar, according to the complaint. Domain Registry of America attempts to deceive customers into believing the promotions were sent by or on behalf of Register.com, the complaint alleges.

After Domain Registry of America receives payments from customers, it then sends them e-mails with links to its Web sites to confirm the order, according to the complaint. Register.com says the e-mails and Web sites are deceptive, and designed to appear as if Domain Registry of America is allied with, or acting on behalf of, Register.com.

Among other things, the complaint alleges that Domain Registry of America infringed on Register.com's trademark, engaged in unfair competition and interfered with Register.com's customer relationships.

Representatives of Domain Registry of America didn't return phone calls seeking comment.

Brett Lewis, assistant general counsel with Register.com, said the plaintiff has lost thousands of customers to Domain Registry of America as a result.

He added that the damage to Register.com goes beyond that. He said many customers have been confused and don't realize the promotions weren't sent by Register.com.

"The biggest harm from this type of conduct is what it can do to your brand and reputation," he said.

Shares of Register.com recently changed hands at $3.97, down 20 cents, or 4.8% , on volume of 85,400. Average daily volume is 173,200 shares.

[SpocksBrain]

Domain Regiistry of America also operates as Domain Registry of Canada (www.droc.ca) from Markham Ontario Canada.
They are also violating Canadian laws, http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/scams/bfraud.htm,
and can be reported to the Competition Bureau

"The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency that ensures all Canadians enjoy the benefits of a competitive economy, low prices, product choice and quality service. It oversees the application of the Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, the Textile Labelling Act and the Precious Metals Marking Act.

The Competition Bureau examines complaints of suspected misleading representations in the marketplace. Businesses and consumers who believe they have been misled should contact the Bureau toll free at 1-800-348-5358 or visit the Bureau's web site located at: www.competition.ic.gc.ca ."
File a complaint at: http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/SSG/ct02107e.html

[RMF]

I get spammed by them all the time "DROC". Its annoying. I never falled for their tactics cause you don't need to be a genius to figure out what there trying to do.

RMF

[WildWayz]

In the UK it is
Domain Registry of America
56 Gloucester Road,
Suite 526,
London,
England.
SW7 4UB