Google the domain (also try adding words like stolen, scammed, help, missing, etc), asking other domainers about the domain in question, checking the various marketplaces and making sure things add up... The biggest single indicator of a potential scam is the price. A scammer will want to price the domain low enough that it sells before he gets caught. Keep a watchful eye on new members. Recently modified whois is another warning sign. If other indicators are present (ex. extremely low price), proceed with extreme caution.
Some known scams:
1. Appraisal Scam -- If they ask for an appraisal, it's probably a scam.
2. Snail mail scam letters -- Letters through the mail reminding you to renew your domains from companies which aren't your current registrar
3. Compromised web-based email accounts and keyloggers -- Using an email provided to you by your Internet Service Provider is generally safer than web-based email solutions. There have been known security flaws in certain webmail applications in the past (ex. Gmail) which made compromising member accounts considerably easier than guessing a password. Understand the risks involved with using a web-based solution. Download spyware software such as Adaware Lavasoft and scan your computer daily. Keyloggers are A) easy to put on someone's computer and B) potentially catastrophic to a web based business.
4. Unauthorizing funds (particularly bad with Paypal). Paypal makes it very easy to create chargebacks. Don't accept large amounts by Paypal unless you're dealing with people you absolutely trust. Moneybookers/Escow.com are a step above Paypal, however the best option would be to go with a true escrow service such as Sedo Escrow, Moniker Domain Escrow Service or EscrowDNS.
5. Emails saying your domain requires renew/transfer/you to take a certain action. Check the email and make sure that A) it's from your registrar and B) the url mentioned matches what your registrar's would be. Safer to just visit the registrar than click the links in the email.
6. Incorrect Whois emails -- if your whois isn't incorrect, beware. Phone your registrar if you think they made a mistake.
7. Traffic/Click Fraud -- Self explanatory. If it isn't direct navigation it shouldn't be sold as such. Due diligence is required here.
8. Hijacking -- If you use one of your own domain names as the nameserver, be sure to make sure it doesn't expire or someone could fraudulently gain control of your domains.
9. Escrow.com is NOT 100% safe. They do not cover stolen domains -- buyer beware. Don't think processing a "bargain" through Escrow.com won't potentially end in you being out money. In the event a domain is stolen from someone's account, the domain WILL be returned to the original owner and you'll be out whatever you paid for the domain.
10. One thing I should add: Most free webmail providers will delete accounts after certain periods of inactivity. A clever scammer could notice that your Hotmail/Yahoo/other webmail account had expired, register that same email address (which is now available) and then proceed to "Request Password" at various registrars using what was previously your email address. If you plan on using your webmail infrequently, it's recommend you verify what amount of inactivity is tolerable and won't result in email account deletion.
I posted this here (and paid for a sticky) because it seems like this guy is preying on Namepros members.. With how fast he's targetting them, having merely a post in the Warnings and Alerts section just won't get the word out soon enough...
Anyone with more info on this guy, please let us know. As EG.Domains, the NPer who alerted me to this scammer told me -- it's very probable that large holders of LLLL.coms are at the very top of his list of people to scam.
thanks for the headsup! i actually received a bulk offer on my names from this person last night by email using the kevnospam account. i had an odd feeling, Declined his offer, and told him (since the text from my LLLL offers thread was pasted into the email) to please make future offers via pm or post OVER the forum, for both of our safety, as it includes a level of 'identity' and credibility. He made a second offer anyway via email which i declined. havent heard back since! thanks again for the info and i hope everyone gets their names back! sp
It always stinks how a few bad seeds ruin it for the rest of us!
Thanks for the heads up Reece,
Without your warning, Many would probably fall victim of this scam. The odds always are... & with so many attempts...
Be on the lookout.
__________________ For Sale: TAUNTER.NET XIMP.NET ADBuster.Net CHEAP! U-P-Z Domain Combinations! TasteDrop Lists Of Expiring Domains. Schedule Your Drop Catching!
So he broke into someone's paypal account and purchased a name with someone elses money? And slimpickins can you post his email account so we can investigate.
Hmmm....word of advice. Last night someone posted an unbelievable offer for a great domain at a fantastic price here at Namepros. However, the ad said NO PM'S and he stated that you needed to send him and email. He then spelled out his email with the dot etc.. The person was a member since 2004 so I thought, it was a little strange, but, o.k.
Being a dummy late at night (12:00 am in California) I opened up my email program and sent them a letter saying I'd take the name. However, now looking back I realize this person has my personal email addres. So exercise caution not only if someone contacts you through your email, but, when responding to great offers for domains with a message that they won't accept PM's and that you need to email them.
As long as you pay with Paypal, you're covered should the seller choose not to follow through. The burden is on the seller to provide proof that he "shipped" the item in question.
I've never been a big fan of selling domains using Paypal tbh -- and I'm sure some of you have seen one of my many rants on here about it. I was the victim of a similar scam (nothing to do with LLLL.coms though) in December of 2006 and am surprised at how little Paypal did to investigate the situation or even give me the time of day to tell my side of the story... They're clearly focussed on being "Buyer Safe" rather than "Transaction Safe" like Escrow.com would be...
I never do any transactions through Paypal with people who send emails to my whois listed email address. I'm very cautious about even doing Paypal transactions with newer Namepros members or members with little feedback. You can never be too safe... That $25 escrow fee is really worth the peace of mind... I do every transaction over $500 via escrow except when I have a good relationship with the buyer.
