Network Solutions nightmare...

[missylis]

Hello!

I would really appreciate any thoughts and advice on the following quandary.

I registered a domain 27 years ago with Network Solutions. My company at the time was the registrant of record, I was listed as administrator and the technical contact was a friend who was assisting me set up my website.

The domain was in use for about 15 years. I’ve been paying the yearly registration ever since as I figured I’d eventually want to sell it.

Now that I do, there’s a problem. The registrant details have changed - I am now the tech contact and the registrant is listed as the email address of my aforementioned friend.

This is very mysterious. He has never accessed the account and I definitely didn’t make the change. I’ve accessed WHOIS history and there is a definitive change.

My friend doesn’t have access to his email account from 27 years ago and the only records I have from my company at the time are really old.

As I’m now merely the tech contact, I am unable to update the registrant information or authorize a transfer.

I’ve chatted with Network Solutions and they are insisting I produce company documents that are current or get access to the email that’s listed, both of which are impossible.

Has this happened to anyone else?

 

[DomainNature]

Let them prove with palpable data of who exactly did the changes in backend, even if it was someone internally, maybe they want to steal your domain, this considering that your friend is trust worthy and is not the one who did the changes.
Can't say anything more, never used this dubious company.

 

[winst]

Not sure if this helps. Network Solutions is hard to deal with; ultimately, they don't want to give access to anyone claiming to be the original owner. I suggest asking NS if they accept old company records, company registrations, company stationary, old email from NS, or any documents that prove you are who you say you are.

This happens to larger companies quite often, as many people don't stay with the same companies, and companies merge, change names, are being acquired, etc.

 

[forge]

I suggest asking NS if they accept old company records, company registrations

NetSol worked with me 24 years ago when an eBay seller bailed on me before the transfer (back then I had to fax the verifying documents). No love affair but I won't join the bashers either.

OP, I hope you can recover your domain.

 

[forge]

Of course, it's not the same company it was 27 years ago, or 24, or even 15.

 

[enterscope]

I don't know if you're leaving out details, but I really doubt Network solutions is trying to steal your domain in this scenario. If you've been renewing your domain all these years then why can't you login to your account and update the whois info?

If it was your friends account, then how have you been paying renewals? Or were you paying to your friend? How does he not have access to the account if renewals have been paid.

Or did you register the domain for 25 years and it expired, now your friend doesn't have access to his account? That is more likely. It just doesn't make sense that Network Solutions would swap your Tech and Registrant details (knowing that he doesn't have access to his email?) with the intention of locking you out from your domain to hijack it in the end.

 

[forge]

I really doubt Network solutions is trying to steal your domain

Of course they're not. To imply such a thing is ludicrous.

 

[missylis]

Let them prove with palpable data of who exactly did the changes in backend, even if it was someone internally, maybe they want to steal your domain, this considering that your friend is trust worthy and is not the one who did the changes.
Can't say anything more, never used this dubious company.

Thank you! I will keep trying.

 

[missylis]

I don't know if you're leaving out details, but I really doubt Network solutions is trying to steal your domain in this scenario. If you've been renewing your domain all these years then why can't you login to your account and update the whois info?

If it was your friends account, then how have you been paying renewals? Or were you paying to your friend? How does he not have access to the account if renewals have been paid.

Or did you register the domain for 25 years and it expired, now your friend doesn't have access to his account? That is more likely. It just doesn't make sense that Network Solutions would swap your Tech and Registrant details (knowing that he doesn't have access to his email?) with the intention of locking you out from your domain to hijack it in the end.

I don't think Network Solutions is trying to steal my domain.

I can login to the account fine. I can pay registration, make changes to DNS etc. but I can't change the WHOIS.

My friend helped me register the domain because back then it was more difficult than it is now and I didn't know how. He was helping me with hosting etc. too. He's totally trustworthy and happy to help in any way.

The domain has never expired.

It makes no sense to me either, which is why I asked if anyone has had a similar experience.

 

[missylis]

Not sure if this helps. Network Solutions is hard to deal with; ultimately, they don't want to give access to anyone claiming to be the original owner. I suggest asking NS if they accept old company records, company registrations, company stationary, old email from NS, or any documents that prove you are who you say you are.

This happens to larger companies quite often, as many people don't stay with the same companies, and companies merge, change names, are being acquired, etc.

Thank you for your response. I will keep trying. It seems impossible that this is an isolated incident.

 

[carob]

Your friend can force transfer to another registrar as per ICANN rules- Netsol have to allow that even if he does not have access to the account, all they can do is ask for him to prove his identity. I have seen this done at another registrar, but Netsol are a bit shaky judging by a number of probs reported here.

Or, just possible but probably not possible to force this one, Netsol can give your friend access to the account once he has proved his identity to them, then he can change the WHOIS.

You would expect any registrar to have a procedure, even if not published, for recovering access to a domain, not least of all after death of the registrant (yes Godaddy does have an after-death procedure).

 

[alcy]

Hello!

I would really appreciate any thoughts and advice on the following quandary.

I registered a domain 27 years ago with Network Solutions. My company at the time was the registrant of record, I was listed as administrator and the technical contact was a friend who was assisting me set up my website.

The domain was in use for about 15 years. I’ve been paying the yearly registration ever since as I figured I’d eventually want to sell it.

Now that I do, there’s a problem. The registrant details have changed - I am now the tech contact and the registrant is listed as the email address of my aforementioned friend.

This is very mysterious. He has never accessed the account and I definitely didn’t make the change. I’ve accessed WHOIS history and there is a definitive change.

My friend doesn’t have access to his email account from 27 years ago and the only records I have from my company at the time are really old.

As I’m now merely the tech contact, I am unable to update the registrant information or authorize a transfer.

I’ve chatted with Network Solutions and they are insisting I produce company documents that are current or get access to the email that’s listed, both of which are impossible.

Has this happened to anyone else?

so when did these changes occur?if u can push domain then find nice old np member paypal them burger money and they give u transfer code after push

 

[carob]

ICANN make clear that the owner of a domain is the registrant- that is the person who can force transfer. They do not have to have access to the account the domain is in - they just have to contact the registrar and if necessary quote the relevant ICANN policy, Section 3.7:

https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/transfer-policy-2016-06-01-en

The Registrar of Record may deny a transfer request only in the following specific instances:

3.7.1 Evidence of fraud.

3.7.2 Reasonable dispute over the identity of the Registered Name Holder or Administrative Contact.

3.7.3 No payment for previous registration period (including credit card charge-backs) if the domain name is past its expiration date or for previous or current registration periods if the domain name has not yet expired. In all such cases, however, the domain name must be put into "Registrar Hold" status by the Registrar of Record prior to the denial of transfer.

3.7.4 Express objection to the transfer by the authorized Transfer Contact. Objection could take the form of specific request (either by paper or electronic means) by the authorized Transfer Contact to deny a particular transfer request, or a general objection to all transfer requests received by the Registrar, either temporarily or indefinitely. In all cases, the objection must be provided with the express and informed consent of the authorized Transfer Contact on an opt-in basis and upon request by the authorized Transfer Contact, the Registrar must remove the lock or provide a reasonably accessible method for the authorized Transfer Contact to remove the lock within five (5) calendar days.

3.7.5 The transfer was requested within 60 days of the creation date as shown in the registry Whois record for the domain name.

3.7.6 A domain name is within 60 days (or a lesser period to be determined) after being transferred (apart from being transferred back to the original Registrar in cases where both Registrars so agree and/or where a decision in the dispute resolution process so directs). "Transferred" shall only mean that an inter-registrar transfer has occurred in accordance with the procedures of this policy.

 

[carob]

I am now the tech contact and the registrant is listed as the email address of my aforementioned friend.

You said email address... but is your friend's name given as the registrant? If so, see above.

If your name is given as the registrant then you own the domain.

If a company name is given as the registrant then there is a problem, but it is surprising that if you have access to the account you can't just change registrant details.

 

[winst]

Thank you for your response. I will keep trying. It seems impossible that this is an isolated incident.

It is very common. It just takes time and effort. It was common for companies to have a 3rd party register domain names to hide their intentions and business plans, then they forgot about it.

Maybe all you need is to take over the email server and set up a "webmaster @ companyname . com" as the domain name's owner contact.

 

[biggie]

If you've been renewing your domain all these years then why can't you login to your account and update the whois info?

Hi

that was my first thought as well.

having access to the account is key to administering it.

still, did you ever receive any "renewal notices" from netsol and if so, what email did they use to inform you?

if you can access the account, then create a new account with your profile info and see if you can "push" the domain to that one.

imo...

 

[DomainNature]

Maybe netsol is sending some email verification and they no longer have access to that email?
edit: if you can share some backend evidence, it's not the first time when people try to damage the reputation of a company.

 

[johnn]

They changed the name years ago:
NotWork Solutions.

 

[bmugford]

Hello!

I would really appreciate any thoughts and advice on the following quandary.

I registered a domain 27 years ago with Network Solutions. My company at the time was the registrant of record, I was listed as administrator and the technical contact was a friend who was assisting me set up my website.

The domain was in use for about 15 years. I’ve been paying the yearly registration ever since as I figured I’d eventually want to sell it.

Now that I do, there’s a problem. The registrant details have changed - I am now the tech contact and the registrant is listed as the email address of my aforementioned friend.

This is very mysterious. He has never accessed the account and I definitely didn’t make the change. I’ve accessed WHOIS history and there is a definitive change.

My friend doesn’t have access to his email account from 27 years ago and the only records I have from my company at the time are really old.

As I’m now merely the tech contact, I am unable to update the registrant information or authorize a transfer.

I’ve chatted with Network Solutions and they are insisting I produce company documents that are current or get access to the email that’s listed, both of which are impossible.

Has this happened to anyone else?

Network Solutions has become a terrible registrar over time.

However, Network Solutions was the first commercial domain registrar. They hold many of the oldest, highest value domains.

While this might be a pain in the butt, it's a good thing that they aren't just going to hand over the domain to another party with limited documentation.

There is a process to deal with this type of thing. It might be slow and tedious, but that is part of the security process.

Brad

 

[missylis]

You said email address... but is your friend's name given as the registrant? If so, see above.

If your name is given as the registrant then you own the domain.

If a company name is given as the registrant then there is a problem, but it is surprising that if you have access to the account you can't just change registrant details.

His email address with my old company name.

 

[enterscope]

His email address with my old company name.

As a tech contact, you might be able to create the original email address to receive emails again. Or create a forwarding address.

 

[carob]

His email address with my old company name.

You might want to look at this other thread about who owns the assets of dissolved companies: https://www.namepros.com/threads/who-owns-a-domain-registered-to-a-dissolved-us-corporation.1343904/

If you have access to the Netsol account why can you not simply change the registrant details?

If you can access the account but can't change details, does that mean that Netsol accounts grant varying levels of privilege and your is a secondary account with limited privileges? If so, who has the primary Netsol account containing your domain with full privileges to edit its details?

 

[biggie]

it's a good thing that they aren't just going to hand over the domain to another party with limited documentation.

There is a process to deal with this type of thing. It might be slow and tedious, but that is part of the security process.

Hi

excellent point Brad!

as anyone can claim they are this or that, in attempt to social engineer a premium domain from a netsol account.
then next thing you know, here comes the legit owner saying somebody stole their name. and we all played a part in assisting with that theft.

not saying this is the case with Op, but just saying....

imo....

 

[missylis]

Hi

that was my first thought as well.

having access to the account is key to administering it.

still, did you ever receive any "renewal notices" from netsol and if so, what email did they use to inform you?

if you can access the account, then create a new account with your profile info and see if you can "push" the domain to that one.

imo...

They send renewal reminders to my current email address.

You might want to look at this other thread about who owns the assets of dissolved companies: https://www.namepros.com/threads/who-owns-a-domain-registered-to-a-dissolved-us-corporation.1343904/

If you have access to the Netsol account why can you not simply change the registrant details?

If you can access the account but can't change details, does that mean that Netsol accounts grant varying levels of privilege and your is a secondary account with limited privileges? If so, who has the primary Netsol account containing your domain with full privileges to edit its details?

Yes, this is essentially what's happening. I only have certain privileges.

 

[missylis]

Hi

excellent point Brad!

as anyone can claim they are this or that, in attempt to social engineer a premium domain from a netsol account.
then next thing you know, here comes the legit owner saying somebody stole their name. and we all played a part in assisting with that theft.

not saying this is the case with Op, but just saying....

imo....

Totally agree. I know of several people who would very much like this domain, so I'm glad to know how difficult it would be to underhandedly acquire it. That said, I really hope I am able to prove I'm the legitimate owner.