Over the weekend, I received two emails allegedly from support@codero.com stating that my domain, docboxconsulting.com, needed to be submitted to search engines. If you read the email quickly, it sounds like the domain needs to be renewed and I should fill out the form and fax it to the phone number provided before the offer expires.
Um. No.
I had all kinds of alarms going off. First off, what hosting company in their right mind would set up a fax number instead of a web form? Also, my domain wasn’t set to expire until May (it’s renewed now, so no problem). I certainly wasn’t going to send someone $75 for search engine submission when I can do that myself.
Research
How did the email have my name and address? The information was publicly available as part of my domain registration: anyone could find it using nslookup. The people sending this email probably scraped email addresses from the domain registrations. (This is a very good reason to use a service that protects your personal information and instead only displays the domain registrar. I activated this service on my domain yesterday.)
Searching on the fax number turned up a bulletin on 800notes.com where other people have received the same warning and reported it as a fraud.
According to a Codero sales representative, Codero is aware of the spoof and is working with the FBI to track down the individual or parties involved in this scam. Codero’s COO has posted about the email and the steps the company is taking.
What should you do?
- Do not reply to the Domain Notification email. Do not send or fax any information.
- Read the Codero blog post and follow the recommendations in their post.
Copy of the offending email
Domain Services <support@codero.com> wrote:
Attention: Important Notice | DOMAIN SERVICE NOTICE | Complete and return by fax to:
1 (646) 783-3687 |
| 2885 Sanford Ave SW
Suite # 19746
Grandville, MI 49418
United States of America |
|
ATT:
ADMINISTRATIVE CONTACT
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(info from nslookup)
–
WWW.DOCBOXCONSULTING.COM
| Domain Name: DOCBOXCONSULTING.COM
Search Engine Submission Requested Reply
FEBRUARY 06,2012 |
|
PART I: REVIEW SOLICITATION |
Attn:
As a courtesy to domain name holders, we are sending you this notification for your business Domain name search engine registration. This letter is to inform you that it’s time to send in your registration and save. Failure to complete your Domain name search engine registration by the expiration date may result in cancellation of this offer making it difficult for your customers to locate you on the web. Privatization allows the consumer a choice when registering. Search engine subscription includes domain name search engine submission. You are under no obligation to pay the amounts stated below unless you accept this offer. Do not discard, this notice is not an invoice it is a courtesy reminder to register your domain name search engine listing so your customers can locate you on the web. This Notice for: WWW.DOCBOXCONSULTING.COM will expire on February 06, 2012 Act today! |
——————————————————————————————– DETAIL OF SERVICE: ANNUAL WEBSITE SEARCH ENGINE SUBMISSION FOR DOMAIN NAME WWW.DOCBOXCONSULTING.COM |
|
Detail of Service:
SEARCH SUBMISSIONS |
| Reply by Date:
02/06/2012 |
| For Domain Name:
DOCBOXCONSULTING.COM |
| | Select Term | Your Existing Domain | Period Covered | Price |
| | DOCBOXCONSULTING.COM | | | | [ ] 1 year | | 02/06/2012 – 02/06/2013 | $75.00 | | [ ] 2 year | | 02/06/2012 – 02/06/2014 | $119.00 | | [ ] 5 year | | 02/06/2012 – 02/06/2017 | $199.00 | | [ ] 10 year | -Most Recommended- | 02/06/2012 – 02/06/2022 | $295.00 | | [ ] Lifetime (NEW!) | Limited time offer – Best value! | Lifetime | $499.00 |
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| | Please ensure that your contact information is correct or make the necessary changes. | | Full Name: | Email: Email 2: ____________________ Phone: _____________________ | Want to receive this notification for other domains you own? simply list them below:
_____________________ __________________________________________ _____________________ | | Today’s Date: _____________________ | Signature: _____________________ |
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| Payment by Credit Card
PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN BY FAX: 1 (646) 783-3687
(Please do not include your credit card number on this form just fill the information above and fax it to us, once we receive your fax we will send you instructions on how to make a payment by credit card) | |
DOCBOXCONSULTING.COM
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| By accepting this offer, you agree not to hold DS liable for any part. Note that THIS IS NOT A BILL. This is a solicitation. You are under no obligation to pay the amounts stated unless you accept this offer. The information in this letter contains confidential and/or legally privileged information from the notification processing department of the DS. This information is intended only for the use of the individual(s) named above. There is no pre-existing relationship between DS and the domain mentioned above. This notice is not in any part associated with a continuation of services for domain registration. Search engine submission is an optional service that you can use as a part of your website optimization and alone may not increase the traffic to your site. If you do not wish to receive further updates from DS send an email to unsubscribe@sesubmission.com and in the subject line only put remove to unsubscribe. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents for this letter is strictly prohibited. * 100% satisfaction guaranteed, you may request a refund within 30 days. |
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