Don't fall victim to this $289 scam.
There’s a new scam in town — and it’s targeting website owners.
Have you received a “bill” for $289 from US Domain Authority? Do NOT pay.
Here’s why not.
Meet the US domain authority scam.
Your domain name is how people find and access your site on the internet. Every website needs a domain, and every domain must be registered.
You purchase and register your domain with registrars like Namecheap or GoDaddy.
After you register, however, an ominous letter may arrive in your mail. Printed on official-looking stationery, this letter will claim to be a bill for “annual website domain listing” costing hundreds of dollars.
Be warned — this so-called “bill” is usually fake. Rather than a mandatory invoice, it’s almost certainly a paid advertisement.
This scheme is truly heartbreaking. It targets business owners who aren’t familiar with the website domain process, and it uses American flags to make the stationary look more legit.
Unfortunately, it’s easy to be fooled by these “bills.” Many people pay without realizing it’s a scam.
If you receive a suspicious "bill"...
If you receive a letter from US Domain Authority, you don’t need to pay.
If you receive a letter from another organization, spend time checking the letter’s authenticity. Look at the organization’s website, and check for language clarifying if this is a real bill.
For example, on the US Domain Authority website, they state that their letter is actually an ad:
Unfortunately, that info is buried in their FAQ and requires digging to uncover.
Do your research before paying. And if you’re still not sure? Contact us!
Domain scam FAQ:
Do I need to pay an invoice from US domain authority?
You almost certainly do not. At the time of this writing, US Domain Authority mails paid advertisements disguised to look like invoices. These so-called “invoices” can be tossed in the trash.
Unless US Domain Authority starts to actually sell domains in the future (unlikely), you will not need to pay them ever.
Is US domain authority legit?
Nope. US Domain Authority is not worth your time. This deceptive organization mails letters to real website owners, hoping that you’ll pay $289 without realized that their “invoice” is just a paid ad.
What happens if I pay US domain authority?
You’ll be included in their “online listing service.” Your domain will not be renewed, and you will still need to pay for the real domain renewal.
As always, if you have any other questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us here or contact your account manager for clarification!
