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

 

[alcy]

so where did it move.. epik...rob..prev owner..

never used nameliq and dont plan to but maybe it's in terms the prev owner can change mind and get back name for say month. who knows. lame I know but who said some tos arent lame

 

[NickB]

That's messed up - can't think of any any logical reason why that's happened, it needs an answer otherwise it just comes across as theft.......

The domain now forwards to a website called Local Trucks .com ?

 

[bmugford]

That's messed up - can't think of any any logical reason why that's happened, it needs an answer otherwise it just comes across as theft.......

The domain now forwards to a website called Local Trucks .com ?

Yes, I have no idea how they "acquired" it.

When I checked my account it was in some type of escrow lock, otherwise I would have just transferred it out ASAP.

The fact it was removed without permission or notification is obviously a major issue. The fact there doesn't appear to be any reference to it happening is another major issue.

Again, I don't want a refund. I want the domain I paid for that was removed from my account without permission and magically transferred to another party.

Brad

 

[cooljub]

This featured on Domain Sherpa a couple of weeks ago (about 21 or so minutes in). It seems Braden Pollock has had it for years so not sure what's happened here?

 

[bmugford]

Well, it appears it went from Braden Pollock to me via Name Liquidate, then magically moved to a 3rd party recently without permission or notification.

This was not some cheap purchase. It sold for around the same price range it did in the past.

Here is a screen shot from it using my nameservers on 8/18, or around a month after purchase.

 

[DigiNames]

This is crazy, please keep us posted. I have a lot of names at Epik.

 

[Future Sensors]

@bhartzer What happened? You're the domain recovery specialist.

 

[jhm]

Shocking, sorry Brad. Hope you get this mess sorted out

 

[bmugford]

There are (32) NamePros account representatives listed as as "Epik.com Staff".

Anyone want to look into what happened here? Why was my domain removed from my account without permission, and somehow handed over to another party?

Brad

 

[Steven McEvoy]

Ever since Epik.com purchased their own domain forum they dont really come here anymore... might be better to go to their forum

 

[bmugford]

Ever since Epik.com purchased their own domain forum they dont really come here anymore... might be better to go to their forum

Thanks, but I would rather post it on this forum as it is far more popular and relevant.
I have no interest in using DNF.

@Rob Monster just posted here a few days ago.

Brad

 

[Future Sensors]

Ever since Epik.com purchased their own domain forum they dont really come here anymore... might be better to go to their forum

I have the impression that they only respond when it is "convenient" for them.

 

[bmugford]

I have the impression that they only respond when it is "convenient" for them.

Well, I won't be letting this one go. A refund is simply not going to work.

You can't have domains just disappearing from your account.
No permission. No notification. No record of it.

I have been in the industry for almost 20 years, used dozens of registrars, and never once had this type of issue.

This is just not acceptable.

Brad

 

[Future Sensors]

Related, in the context of other ambiguities that take place at Epik regarding domain ownership, I advise members to carefully read section 7 of this WIPO decision:

https://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/search/text.jsp?case=D2021-1050

 

[bmugford]

@Rob Monster or others @ Epik are clearly aware of this. It was only after I noticed this morning and DMed Rob and sent an email to [email protected] that I was sent a refund.

There was no contact. There was no explanation.
I did not request a refund.

This is around (6) weeks after I purchased the domain and it was transferred to me.

Return the domain that was removed from my account without permission.

Brad

 

[moale]

I would call a lawyer.

 

[bmugford]

I would call a lawyer.

We will see what happens. Again, I have all the receipts.

There is absolutely no doubt that -

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.

Brad

 

[moale]

We will see what happens. Again, I have all the receipts.

There is absolutely no doubt that -

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.

Brad

Honestly, I know it sucks going through the legal proceedings, but you should be able to sue them for this, just need a lawyer that specializes in this type of case. It's work, but these folks deserve to be made to answer.

I will never do a drop of business with epik now, and sure others will retreat or stop as well.

Even if you don't get the domain, you still have a voice that has an effect. Good luck.

 

[twiki]

We will see what happens. Again, I have all the receipts.

There is absolutely no doubt that -

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.

Brad

If they are ignoring this / going moot, it's a big mistake on their part.

You carry weight around here.

This issue has to be solved ASAP by them, whatever the solution is. Or it will have consequences - regardless of whether you go into legal proceedings or not.

Word travels fast. And it's already traveling at lightning speed. I've noticed, noted. So have others.

Epik's staff silence has an impact already.

 

[bmugford]

If they are ignoring this / going moot, it's a big mistake on their part.

You carry weight around here.

This issue has to be solved ASAP by them, whatever the solution is. Or it will have consequences - regardless of whether you go into legal proceedings or not.

Word travels fast. And it's already traveling at lightning speed. I've noticed, noted. So have others.

Epik's staff silence has an impact already.

When I initially sent Rob a DM this morning I was going to try to work this out behind the scenes, but after receiving some random (unrequested) refund without any information or explanation, I think this public thread is necessary.

I own (1) domain at Epik and this happened. It was only dumb luck I even noticed it was gone after I typed it into the browser to check the loading speed of Dan.com landers, and another webpage loaded.

Whatever happened here could happen to others.

Again, I have never seen this with any other registrar in my long time as a domain investor.

Brad

 

[Daniel Owens]

That's why it's good to move-out. But, if there was an auction lock on the domain I could understand not moving out. All you can do is reach out to epik, unless you want to spend xx,xxx taking them to court.

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

the

 

[Future Sensors]

I own (1) domain at Epik and this happened. It was only dumb luck I even noticed it was gone after I typed it into the browser to check the loading speed of Dan.com landers, and another webpage loaded.

So much for the "Swiss bank of domains" that Epik so desperately wants to be, but often fails.

 

[bmugford]

That's why it's good to move-out. But, if there was an auction lock on the domain I could understand not moving out. All you can do is reach out to epik, unless you want to spend xx,xxx taking them to court.

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

 

[NickB]

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