On 10th December, 2013, I received an email from NameCheap stating "It has come to our attention that your hosting account is involved into phishing activity." This resulted in ALL my hosting for ALL my domains being "SUSPENDED".
They provided a quote from an email from (what I presume) is an automated bot for a web security company that falsely accused my URL of being a phishing website.
My website was strategy guide and forum for video game fans, and the page accused of "phishing" was an external Norton and McAfee verified, SSL safe, Clickbank order form for my Video Game Ebook.
I explained to the support staff that the claim was wrong, and that the Clickbank page (one of the largest online retailers and payment processors in the world) was just an order page that was completely safe (not even hosted by me!).
The NameCheap staff didn't seem to understand that and still insisted I "prove" it wasn't a phishing page. (I don't even collect ANYONE'S information - it's all through the payment processor on another site)
I talked to the support chat for HOURS trying to resolve it and, waiting and waiting for their slow responses. I even offered to remove the link to page for the time being until we resolve their confusion on what a "phishing" page is. WHEN FINALLY - NEXT THING I KNOW - MY ENTIRE NAMECHEAP Account is locked!
I had to wait hours for an explanation, and apparently now they wanted photocopies of ID and to talk on the phone to "verify payments". Well, sorry NameCheap, I'm not keen on sending my ID half way around the world to people called "Bogdan" and "Olya". It doesn't exactly resonate security to me. All my purchases of NameCheap products are 100% legitimate - there have been no chargebacks - NOTHING!
I now just want to LEAVE Namecheap completely. I have no interest in remaining after this horrible experience. I want to get my domains, and get out of that hell hole.
I didn't realize that all you had to do to shut down a website, and all associated websites is email the host with a fake report saying "This is a phishing page. Shut it down".
I thought they would have used logic and sense to see that a Norton and McAfee safe SSL certified page is not a "phishing page". I've lost tons of business from all my other sites, my reputation has been damaged, and losses so far are significant.
I've been consulting with some solicitors (attorneys), and one thinks we could have a case against NameCheap for loss of revenue, libel, reputation damaged, and a broken contract if NameCheap refuses to release the domains to me within a reasonable period of time. There is also the possibility of a class action if enough people have been found with similar experiences.
So, that has been my experience with NameCheap.
THIS IS A WARNING TO YOU - ANYONE CAN EMAIL NAMECHEAP SAYING YOUR DOMAIN OR HOST IS DOING "PHISHING". THEY WILL NOT EVEN INVESTIGATE PROPERLY. THEY WILL SIMPLY SUSPEND EVERYTHING AND POTENTIALLY DESTROY YOUR BUSINESS. WATCH OUT! THE SAME COULD HAPPEN TO ANY OF YOU!
CLIFFS:
- Hosting and Domains with NameCheap.
- Someone emails NameCheap with a false report about my harmless gaming site being a "phishing" site.
- NameCheap shuts down all websites.
- I explain to them that it's false and even try placate them by offering to remove supposed "phishing" site for the time being.
- Next thing, ENTIRE NAMECHEAP account locked.
- Can't touch domains. Disgraceful. Want to leave NameCheap.
- Legal action being considered - currently being worked on.
They provided a quote from an email from (what I presume) is an automated bot for a web security company that falsely accused my URL of being a phishing website.
My website was strategy guide and forum for video game fans, and the page accused of "phishing" was an external Norton and McAfee verified, SSL safe, Clickbank order form for my Video Game Ebook.
I explained to the support staff that the claim was wrong, and that the Clickbank page (one of the largest online retailers and payment processors in the world) was just an order page that was completely safe (not even hosted by me!).
The NameCheap staff didn't seem to understand that and still insisted I "prove" it wasn't a phishing page. (I don't even collect ANYONE'S information - it's all through the payment processor on another site)
I talked to the support chat for HOURS trying to resolve it and, waiting and waiting for their slow responses. I even offered to remove the link to page for the time being until we resolve their confusion on what a "phishing" page is. WHEN FINALLY - NEXT THING I KNOW - MY ENTIRE NAMECHEAP Account is locked!
I had to wait hours for an explanation, and apparently now they wanted photocopies of ID and to talk on the phone to "verify payments". Well, sorry NameCheap, I'm not keen on sending my ID half way around the world to people called "Bogdan" and "Olya". It doesn't exactly resonate security to me. All my purchases of NameCheap products are 100% legitimate - there have been no chargebacks - NOTHING!
I now just want to LEAVE Namecheap completely. I have no interest in remaining after this horrible experience. I want to get my domains, and get out of that hell hole.
I didn't realize that all you had to do to shut down a website, and all associated websites is email the host with a fake report saying "This is a phishing page. Shut it down".
I thought they would have used logic and sense to see that a Norton and McAfee safe SSL certified page is not a "phishing page". I've lost tons of business from all my other sites, my reputation has been damaged, and losses so far are significant.
I've been consulting with some solicitors (attorneys), and one thinks we could have a case against NameCheap for loss of revenue, libel, reputation damaged, and a broken contract if NameCheap refuses to release the domains to me within a reasonable period of time. There is also the possibility of a class action if enough people have been found with similar experiences.
So, that has been my experience with NameCheap.
THIS IS A WARNING TO YOU - ANYONE CAN EMAIL NAMECHEAP SAYING YOUR DOMAIN OR HOST IS DOING "PHISHING". THEY WILL NOT EVEN INVESTIGATE PROPERLY. THEY WILL SIMPLY SUSPEND EVERYTHING AND POTENTIALLY DESTROY YOUR BUSINESS. WATCH OUT! THE SAME COULD HAPPEN TO ANY OF YOU!
CLIFFS:
- Hosting and Domains with NameCheap.
- Someone emails NameCheap with a false report about my harmless gaming site being a "phishing" site.
- NameCheap shuts down all websites.
- I explain to them that it's false and even try placate them by offering to remove supposed "phishing" site for the time being.
- Next thing, ENTIRE NAMECHEAP account locked.
- Can't touch domains. Disgraceful. Want to leave NameCheap.
- Legal action being considered - currently being worked on.