Can you lose your domain if your WhoIs information is false?

[Phare]

Can you lose your domain name if your WhoIs information is false? For example, you don't actually put your real address and real name.

If you have a WhoIs protection enabled, then how can they find out?

 

[mis_chiff]

As long as you can be contacted through whichever means you have posted
then the information isin't false.
If you can't be reached because of bad information, then yes you could lose the domain.

With privacy - even with this on - if you can't be reached you could lose it.
If you like your domain, keep your info current

 

[nyse]

Happened to me with 1and1

My info was correct, except my phone number...I used 123-456-7890
They told me to correct it a number of times, I ignored it.

Then one time I checked my domains and they were frozen, I still owned them, but I couldn't access or edit anything with them.

 

[ngenme]

Happened to me with 1and1

My info was correct, except my phone number...I used 123-456-7890
They told me to correct it a number of times, I ignored it.

Then one time I checked my domains and they were frozen, I still owned them, but I couldn't access or edit anything with them.

Can you transfer it?

The thing is the phone can be correct. But who knows if it's dead or rarely checked.

They froze it. Can you transfer it or is it stolen? Is it a mass things?

Any other registrar actually enforce this rule?

 

[DU]

Can you transfer it?

The thing is the phone can be correct. But who knows if it's dead or rarely checked.

They froze it. Can you transfer it or is it stolen? Is it a mass things?

Any other registrar actually enforce this rule?

It is your responsibility to ensure that the whois is correct.

There IS a difference between a phone number that gets an answer machine and a phone number that is disconnected.

There IS a difference between an e-mail that isn't read often and an e-mail that no longer exists.

All registrars should enforce this. What is more concerning (if the name is valuable) is that anyone can question the validity of a whois. For example - if I like your domain and send you an email enquiry and the email bounces - I can file a whois complaint.

Some extensions are far stricter than this. For example... .us you can question the residency requirements in addition to basic accuracy.

GoDaddy will immediately charge the owner $10 - I don't know about other registrars.

I don't like Privacy so won't discuss it.

D.

 

[doomna]

Why are you using fake information, if you dont like to show your personal details, use whois guard. So that you never get any problems.

 

[ngenme]

Well, whois guard is important. That way if some jerk complain we can say the email bounce because of the whois guard.

Why fake info? The email must be real of course. However, say you do not want people to know you own certain politically incorrect domains.

Moreover, some registrar often remove privacy and ask question latter. What's scary is any regular joe can incite this.

They need to know you before they hurt you. Privacy protection is a MUST.

As for 1 on 1, I won't be using them. Does 1on1 ever mass suspend domains? If you're going to use fake phone, why make it too obvious though?

You see EVERYTHING is legal till you're caught. I am being cynical here. However, I won't count being innocent as my first and last defense against evil. That's why people build LLC.

Email must be correct so you get contacted. How many people would phone Hong Kong or go there to verify that the phone is correct? However, if it's 1234567890 well?

 

[h2o]

I understand your motives for such a number as 123-456-7890 I know get text spam because of my number being on the net. But there are better ways to deal with it.

For the phone number: You can use Google Voice so you can forward a screen number to your voice mail. It's free and you could use an area code that matches your location.

You could also use the service inumbr.com which pretty much gives you complete control over your throw away numbers so you can protect your real one.


For the address: You can use a Post Office box (if you are in the US). I don't know about otter countries.)

 

[lothos]

Can you lose your domain name if your WhoIs information is false? For example, you don't actually put your real address and real name.

If you have a WhoIs protection enabled, then how can they find out?

Yes, you can lose your domain(s) for having false whois information. I've seen it happen.

 

[DU]

Well, whois guard is important. That way if some jerk complain we can say the email bounce because of the whois guard.

You need to be contactable at the address. A failure to comply is a failure to comply.

If you are trying to sell your domain OR trying to setup an online business then I am of the opinion that WHOIS privacy backfires.

Most people here are domainers. There are better alternatives.

If you are a personal blogger or a small site with a touchy subject and not much value (race, religion, politics) then maybe it's ok.


BUT....

# You are no longer the “owner” or your domain name. Whoever is listed in WHOIS as REGISTRANT is the domain owner.

# If you are not listed in WHOIS, then you have no legal rights to the domain. The only way to assert your rights would be through your privacy contract.

Does this matter? I don't know... but imagine the fun that creditors could have if one of the privacy companies went Chapter 7.

Also - if you do something illegitimate - no company is NOT going to turn you over so it's a thin veil of security.

IF YOU WANT TO BE UNKNOWN ON THE INTERNET. DON'T PLAY ON THE INTERNET.

 

[namenut]

Not only can it be taken or held but it can be bought out from
under you. If I'm not mistaken .... A person can petition for the
name to be confiscated from the owner and then sold to the
petitioner. The name is considered abandoned and in direct
violation of user agreement.

You can put what ever information you want as long as you
respond to the contact info given during registration.

 

[Dave_Z]

How many people would phone Hong Kong or go there to verify that the phone is correct? However, if it's 1234567890 well?

At least one. I've done that in my ex-registrar life by phoning the number listed from an invalid WHOIS report on it.

Fortunately the Hong Kong-based registrant answered and understood what the call was for. All was good.

I won't speak for the other registrars, but you never know who's at least trying to verify. And there are easy ways to do that prior to calling.

 

[cache]

what situation is this $10 charge?

GoDaddy will immediately charge the owner $10 - I don't know about other registrars.

D.

 

[DU]

what situation is this $10 charge?

If I report an invalid whois - invalid email or invalid phone number... if either are invalid they will charge a $10 administrative fee to investigate the claim.

I think if you respond to both you don't get charged - but I'm not sure of the details. I got charged when I changed my phone number but forgot to update my whois.

 

[- me -]

For the address: You can use a Post Office box (if you are in the US). I don't know about otter countries.)

Can anyone supply an answer to this?

I'm a part timer in this game.

I use a mail drop for my address (only used for domains so that the whois does not show my actual house address.)

Again, I only use it for domain related mail and it gets forwarded to my home.

What happens, if you get certified mail and it's returned to sender because you are not there to sign for it?

Isn't it then the responsibility of the sender to contact you by email, or phone? Or, snail mail?

That's fine with me, I'd get it and be able to act accordingly.

 

[h2o]

Can anyone supply an answer to this?

I'm a part timer in this game.

I use a mail drop for my address (only used for domains so that the whois does not show my actual house address.)

Again, I only use it for domain related mail and it gets forwarded to my home.

What happens, if you get certified mail and it's returned to sender because you are not there to sign for it?

Isn't it then the responsibility of the sender to contact you by email, or phone? Or, snail mail?

That's fine with me, I'd get it and be able to act accordingly.

I know that if you pay hefty fees for a UPS store mailbox they will contact you every time new mail arrives. You can just verify your mail in person. But if you just have a regular P.O Box than it's pretty obvious that you are not going to be standing in front of it when the mail arrives. I don't think certified mail is applicable to P.O Boxes.

As a side note, if registrars really can confiscate a domain due to an invalid whois then these lovely names would have been gone from the owner a long time ago. I guess using the alias "DOMAIN ADMIN" is good enough for Tucows.

 

[lothos]

I don't think certified mail is applicable to P.O Boxes.

If you get mail to a PO Box that requires a signature, they will hold it at the front desk and have you sign for it.

As a side note, if registrars really can confiscate a domain due to an invalid whois then these lovely names would have been gone from the owner a long time ago. I guess using the alias "DOMAIN ADMIN" is good enough for Tucows.

Yes, "Domain Admin" or another job title like "hostmaster" is sufficient and is not invalid contact information. Moniker, Network Solutions, Godaddy, Fabulous, etc all do it. Even ICANN does it