Epik, We have a problem. Domain removed from account without permission.

[bmugford]

I am sure as many of you are aware I have had issues with Epik in the past, but decided to give them a chance when I saw a domain I wanted on Name Liquidate.

I purchased the domain PianoMoving.com on 7/20. It was transferred into my account then.
This was the only domain in my account.

It was in my WHOIS information.
I updated the nameservers.

When I just checked it is magically no longer in my account.
The nameservers were changed.
I received zero contact about the domain being moved.

I have all the receipts -

1.) The purchase/renewal from Epik.
2.) The Paypal charge.
3.) Email of when the domain was moved into my account @ Epik.
4.) Email when the nameservers were updated in early August @ Epik.

I don't see any indication that the domain was removed from my account.
On top of zero communication, there also appears to be nothing under "Outgoing Pushes" or "Task History".

I sent a DM to @Rob Monster about this earlier this morning, but have not received a response yet.

I was just notified I received a refund. I don't want a refund.

I want the domain I won, that was in my account, which I had full control over.
It was removed from my account without permission or even notification.

I do not find this acceptable in any way.

@Epik.com, you have some explaining to do.

Brad

 

[Daniel Owens]

Well, what I want is -

1.) An explanation of what happened.
2.) My domain returned to my account.
3.) The domain unlocked so I can transfer it out.

What Epik really needs to do is clarify what happened, because this opens up a big can of worms if a domain can just disappear without permission, explanation, or notification.

Brad

If they are like other registers it could take 3 days to hear back. That's not uncommon in this industry. I would have waited 3 days before opening the thread but that's my opinion and this thread could benefit if you get help keep us posted.

 

[bmugford]

If they are like other registers it could take 3 days to hear back. That's not uncommon in this industry. I would have waited 3 days before opening the thread but that's my opinion and this thread could benefit if you get help keep us posted.

Again, the domain was removed from my account without permission or notification.
I can find no record of it being moved.

I think that might be of concern for others.

Brad

 

[bmugford]

If they did nothing about it.....Would this fall under either an Unauthorized Transfer Complaint or TDRP with ICANN?

Well, it was in my account. It is no longer in my account.
I did not authorize it to move.

The domain is still @ Epik so it was moved internally without my involvement.

Brad

 

[branding]

So a near 1K purchase? Ridiculous. They certainly have some explaining to do.

I don't get they didn't look into it right after you made them aware of it.

Can't see anything good coming from this for them no matter how they spin it.

 

[Daniel Owens]

Again, the domain was removed from my account without permission or notification.
I can find no record of it being moved.

I think that might be of concern for others.

Brad

Yeah, after a few days if you don't hear back let us know. But, yeah is their a hotline you can call to hear back right away?

 

[bmugford]

Yeah, after a few days if you don't hear back let us know. But, yeah is their a hotline you can call to hear back right away?

I think this has bigger potential ramifications for others, if not resolved.

I have (1) domain there, and this happened. What are the odds?

The nameservers were updated around August 20th, to what they are now. At that point (I assume) the domain was not in my possession, though I only noticed this morning. Epik had ample time to notify me.

It was only after I sent them an email today, that they just processed a refund with no further contact or explanation.

The fact there was no permission, notification, or record (that I can find) of the transfer is rather troubling to me.

Brad

 

[branding]

 

[bmugford]

@Bravo Mod Team
@Alfa Mod Team

Why was this moved to "Domain Registrar Reviews"?

This is not a registrar review. It is a situation involving an unauthorized transfer of a domain name and should be left in "General", at least for now.

After it is resolved, maybe I will leave a review.

Brad

 

[bmugford]

Show attachment 222142
Show attachment 222143

Yes, August 2nd was my update to Dan.com nameservers.
It looks like nameservers were updated on 8/19 to Epik.

At some point between the two dates it appears the domain was removed from my account without permission. How the current owner "acquired" it, I have no idea.

I also have no idea where the $4,750 price came from.

I bought the domain, changed the nameservers to Dan.com and had make an offer.
Anything listing any price is not my listing. It has to be some orphaned sales listing.

Brad

 

[bmugford]

So a near 1K purchase? Ridiculous. They certainly have some explaining to do.

I don't get they didn't look into it right after you made them aware of it.

Can't see anything good coming from this for them no matter how they spin it.

Yes, this was not some $9 closeout. It was close to the max price on there.

Brad

 

[bmugford]

I just sent the following email to Epik support in response to their refund, which I did not request.
It links to this thread. They have no excuse to not respond.

Hi,

I did not request a refund.
I do not want a refund.

I want the domain I paid for, that was removed from my account without authorization, to be returned.

1.) I paid for the domain.
2.) The domain was transferred to my account.
3.) The domain was in my information.
4.) I updated the nameservers.
5.) I had possession until at least some time recently this month.
6.) The domain was removed from my account and now belongs to another party.
7.) I did not give permission for that.
8.) I was not notified of it.
9.) I can find no record in my account referencing the move.

https://www.namepros.com/threads/ep...oved-from-account-without-permission.1282400/

Thanks,
Brad

 

[Future Sensors]

I can't help but want to share this thought nonetheless. Could this be some sort of revenge for Brad being critical of Epik in the past? In addition, it may make sense to inquire with the owner of LocalTrucks, and ask how they acquired the domain, and at the same time inform them that the transaction probably was not justified.

 

[karmaco]

Sorry to hear about this Brad. Sounds like some sellers remorse or the owner changed his mind about dropping it. Either way unacceptable.

Names Con is going on so I expect they are not reading this forum right now. I would share this on social media where most in domaining community are and make a complaint to ICANN if you don’t get a satisfactory resolution.

 

[bmugford]

I can't help but want to share this thought nonetheless. Could this be some sort of revenge for Brad being critical of Epik in the past?

Well, that would be pretty stupid if they did that. I am not jumping to any conclusions, but it is simply undeniable that the domain was removed from my account without authorization.

The ball is in Epik's court to explain what happened, and resolve it.
It was not their domain to transfer.

In addition, it may make sense to inquire with the owner of LocalTrucks exactly how they acquired the domain, and at the same time inform them that the transaction probably was not justified.

Reasonable suggestion. I really want to see what Epik has to say first, but I might reach out to them.

The bottom line is this domain was transferred without my permission.

Brad

 

[Lox]

Maybe Braden sold "his" domain and E employees ... simply didn't press the panic button to call R.B. for help.

btw. Still listed under t Braden's AN account + LegalBrandDomains website. Contact Braden.

 

[Future Sensors]

Maybe Braden sold "his" domain and E employees ... simply didn't press the panic button to call R.B. for help.

btw. Still listed under t Braden's AN account + LegalBrandDomains website. Contact Braden.

Show attachment 222145

Show attachment 222146

https://twitter.com/x/status/1560451478778568704

 

[Future Sensors]

@Braden Pollock Your input is appreciated as well.

 

[Daniel Owens]

I just sent the following email to Epik support in response to their refund, which I did not request.
It links to this thread. They have no excuse to not respond.

Hi,

I did not request a refund.
I do not want a refund.

I want the domain I paid for, that was removed from my account without authorization, to be returned.

1.) I paid for the domain.
2.) The domain was transferred to my account.
3.) The domain was in my information.
4.) I updated the nameservers.
5.) I had possession until at least some time recently this month.
6.) The domain was removed from my account and now belongs to another party.
7.) I did not give permission for that.
8.) I was not notified of it.
9.) I can find no record in my account referencing the move.

https://www.namepros.com/threads/ep...oved-from-account-without-permission.1282400/

Thanks,
Brad

Usually, when a register makes a choice it is final and they will not allow you to change their mind. If this is just or not is up for debate. However, I seriously doubt you will get the domain again. When a register decides something is no longer yours or title is changed they usually don't take it back from the new owner and give it back to old owner. The only thing I could think of is when you got it is if epik automatically opted you into automatic transfer. Meaning someone could buy the domain and within seconds it would hit their account. I agree this is not fair. The only real thing that needs explaining is why did you get no notification and can they give you some $'s in exchange for the loss of domain (to compensate for your time acquiring etc.) What do you expect them to do? Do you really thing they would take it out of new owners account like they did to you?

 

[bmugford]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1560451478778568704

Yeah....

So someone sold a domain I owned for $12,000 then it magically was transferred from my account with no permission, notification, or record.

What else can I say but WTF.

Brad

 

[bmugford]

Usually, when a register makes a choice it is final and they will not allow you to change their mind. If this is just or not is up for debate. However, I seriously doubt you will get the domain again. When a register decides something is no longer yours or title is changed they usually don't take it back from the new owner and give it back to old owner. The only thing I could think of is when you got it is if epik automatically opted you into automatic transfer. Meaning someone could buy the domain and within seconds it would hit their account. I agree this is not fair. The only real thing that needs explaining is why did you get no notification and can they give you some $'s in exchange for the loss of domain (to compensate for your time acquiring etc.) What do you expect them to do? Do you really thing they would take it out of new owners account like they did to you?

Well, now we have a reported sale it is relatively easy to figure out the monetary damages - the difference between what I paid and the sale price when it was removed from my account without authorization.

Epik, Braden, Local Trucks are going to need to unwind this BS and figure out what happened.

The bottom line is I purchased the domain, owned it for about a month, then it was removed from my account without permission when Braden appears to have sold it.

How did his sale remove it from my Epik account? It was not even his domain to sell at that point.

So it was removed from my account and he gets to keep the sales proceeds? It makes no sense whatsoever.

Brad

 

[Future Sensors]

Well, now we have a reported sale it is relatively easy to figure out the monetary damages - the difference between what I paid and the sale price when it was removed from my account without authorization.

Did Epik earn twice from this domain?

 

[bmugford]

@Rob Monster
@Braden Pollock

I have no idea what went on here, but the fact I purchased this domain via Name Liquidate on 7/20 and it was removed from my account much later is not in dispute.

You really need to figure out what happened here, because it sure doesn't look too good that a domain is removed and transferred from my account without authorization after it is "sold" to another party.

How was it removed from my account?
Why was it removed from my account?
Why was there no notification?
Why is there no record of it?

I will reserve judgement, but at this point it seems like something stinks to high heaven.

Brad

 

[bhartzer]

First time I'm seeing this. Brad, have you addressed this directly with Epik Support? Usually that's the fastest way to get something like this taken care, rather than posting about it on Namepros and hoping that someone will see it.
I have no idea what happened, but will definitely make sure it's addressed ASAP by the proper Epik employees.
I suspect that others you've mentioned may not have seen this post yet because of the timing of it-- I know Rob is at NamesCon right now, for example.

 

[bmugford]

First time I'm seeing this. Brad, have you addressed this directly with Epik Support? Usually that's the fastest way to get something like this taken care, rather than posting about it on Namepros and hoping that someone will see it.
I have no idea what happened, but will definitely make sure it's addressed ASAP by the proper Epik employees.
I suspect that others you've mentioned may not have seen this post yet because of the timing of it-- I know Rob is at NamesCon right now, for example.

Bill,

I contacted Rob earlier this morning, no response. I emailed Epik support, no response...but then I did get a refund shortly after, that I did not ask for. There was no explanation, in fact there was no communication at all.

That is why I started this thread. It is simply not acceptable.

I am sorry, but when the issue involves the unauthorized transfer of my relatively premium domain, I am not willing to just wait around.

As the thread has progressed, you can see there are bigger issues at play now involving more people.

Brad

 

[bhartzer]

Brad, I'm not involved in Epik operations, as I run a separate company (DNProtect), but I will find out what happened.