I'm wondering what methods folks think are best (or even better yet have found to be best!) for keeping their real personal names, addresses and phone numbers out of the public WHOIS contact info. What do you think? I'm in the USA, btw.
I'm not interested in anything shady, but like some other posters mentioned in another thread, they have had weird people sometimes contact them as the domain owner -- and who knows what kind of twisted thinking might be going on in their heads. Thus the thought it's likely wise to plan ahead and stay anon when registering -- or renewing -- a domain.
My understanding is that folks can take away someone's domain name by claiming the registration details are in error, and if true, getting the current domain ownership invalidated and then register the domain to themselves.
And since some registrars send out an email once a year asking folks to correct any incorrect contact info, you would want the contact info to be such that one could be contacted immediately -- but still remain anon. as far as the publically published name, address and phone goes.
So, what are the best methods for anon name, address and phone?
Here are some ideas I've kicked around:
Starting a shell company in some place like Nevada, USA where the owners of a company are not public knowledge and then using the lawyer for contact info -- with a contract saying you are the owner and pay the lawyer a fee for using their contact details (but good luck if the lawyer ends up claiming the domain name is theirs).
Rent a mailbox at some place like "mailboxes USA" or even just a U.S. Post Office Box? Some sort of contract arrangement where some person (who?) serves as a "front" for a fee? Registering a "fictitious name" with the state? A company name as owner instead of a person?
Set up a hosting or domain reseller company you don't advertise and that just runs on autopilot with high fees to keep real customers away -- and "resell" domain names to "customers" like yourself, for whom you "manage" their domains anonymously for them?
What about the phone number contact info? An answering service like doctors use? A beeper with voicemail?
Are any companies out there offering this who a person can trust to BOTH keep your real contact info private and NOT try to rip off your domain name if it becomes quite valuable?
Sorry the above is kind of long, but thanks for reading and sharing, since this is no doubt important to many here.
Louis
A post office box will do nicely for postal, any
email of your choice will do, and how about adding
voicemail for your mailbox so you can personally
screen calls?
Another option is to use your registrar's proxy
service, if they have any.
