Domain: Using Our Identity

Someones' passing off as us

[robhoran]

I recent;y got one of those letters from Domain Registry of Europe trying to trick me into transferring one of our domains to them (by telling me that it was about to expire). As we hold over 200 domains we get a lot of these letters and simply throw them away.

However, a couple of weeks ago, one came through for the domain name snipped. We don't own this domain so I was intrigued as to why I'd got this letter.

It turns out that someone had regsitered this domain name using our company and address details as the Registrant's Contact details.

I emailed snipped (the registrar) and got no response. I emailed ICANN (and got no respone).

Who can I take this issue up with? and secondly, how can I found if there are any more domains out there that have been wrongly registered with our company name and address?

Rob.

[edited by: DaveAtIFG at 5:32 pm (utc) on Aug. 26, 2004]
[edit reason] Removed specifics [/edit]

[jdMorgan]

I suppose you could pay to renew it, and then see who complains...

Jim

[devildude8989]

Is the admin/owner email yours? If so you can transfer it if you wanted.

[robhoran]

No, they have used a hotmail address for the Admin Email.

[domainsales]

Even though it is a long shot, send an email to
[e-mail] and see what happens. Chances are you may find out that the hotmail address doesn't even exist which may help you with the registrar.

[davezan]

Basically you did the right thing notifying
ICANN about it. If ICANN's people have done
their part, they've notified the registrar
where the domain name is held.

The registrar will attempt to contact the
admin & registrant via email, phone, & snail
mail based on the WHOIS record. If the domain
contacts don't reply probably w/in 2 weeks,
the registrar will eventually delete it due
to Breach of Contract.

How long has it been since you complained?
Just give it 2 weeks, then see what happens
to the domain name.

Hope this helps.

David ;o)

[nalin]

You can formally complain using ICANN's whois data problem report [wdprs.internic.net].

<edit>
Likely you could also aim at getting the domain transfered to an email address you control. Some of our older domains were associated with a bad email address and unknown (registrar) account, but with an accurate mailing address and telephone number and name. The email address was corrected via a faximilie copy of a drivers license and signed release form - surly there is a similar method by which corperations may revise information.

Given the manner in which this third party has registered I would consider it a gift and pursue this coarse - faster and cleaner then a formal complaint.

[robhoran]

Thanks for all the info.

Although I never got a response back from either [the registrar] or ICANN, it appears the domain has now been de-listed.

[edited by: tedster at 8:00 pm (utc) on Sep. 9, 2004]