Revenge on cybersquatter

[jdiben]

I have the .com and .net domains for my website. I noticed that someone had registered the .info domain name. So for the hell of it I checked the whois database to see who registered the .info and to my surprise someone registered it using all the contact information from my domains. Because of the registration information I have ruled it out as a coincidence that the name was registered. It was just registered 2 days ago so I am waiting to get a ransom request.

I don't want the name but I want to fight back. I could transfer the domain to my registrar(after all it was registered with my name, phone, address and email) or I could just report the squatter for registering with false information.

I know that reporting him would be the right thing to do but transferring it away from him would b so much more satisfying.

What would you do?

Joe

[paulhiles]

I think I would first of all check with the domain name registrar, or whoever you registered your domain with. They may have a policy of snapping up other variations on the domain name suffix (possibly to sell to you as an "extra" or possibly, to help safeguard your name, it's hard to tell).

Seems like a pretty weird coincidence that someone else should snap up your name at exactly the same time. Could anyone else have known the domain name you were after?

[mikmik]

I know that reporting him would be the right thing to do but transferring it away from him would b so much more satisfying.

That would be hilarious, I would love to see you just transfer it! But, this sounds like a very weird happening, this person may be up to something or become a major pain in the arse if you make them mad.

Anything might make them mad, I suppose, even reporting this. Best to just distance yourself, though, who knows what could be revealed if you transfer - it could turn around and taint yourself just by being innocently involved.

[jdiben]

Originally Posted by paulhiles

Could anyone else have known the domain name you were after?

I've never been nor am I now after the name and I have no interest in a .info. It wasnt registered by my registrar but it was registered with all the same contact information available through my registrars whois database.

I registered my .com and .net 2 years ago and .everythingelse has been available since. I just dont understand why they used my contact info.

[paulhiles]

Ah okay, sorry Joe, I misunderstood.
I thought you meant that you'd only just registered the domain yourself a couple of days ago.. and someone had got the .info at the same time.
That's why I said it was a strange coincidence.. I need more coffee! :o)

Maybe someone's bought it as a surprise pressie for you? LOL!! :o)

[k_graham]

Originally Posted by jdiben

I've never been nor am I now after the name and I have no interest in a .info. It wasnt registered by my registrar but it was registered with all the same contact information available through my registrars whois database.

I registered my .com and .net 2 years ago and .everythingelse has been available since. I just dont understand why they used my contact info.

Where I register domains www.mydomain.com I just received a email from them a few days ago offering something like 20 free info domain names of my choice. I assume this is a marketing ploy for the .info to get people hooked - if 1/2 of all people pay to keep the free name they will be making a ton of money in a year.

k_graham

[jawn_tech]

Maybe someone's bought it as a surprise pressie for you? LOL!! :o)

I was thinking along the same lines... perhaps soon you'll be contacted by someone who thought they were doing you a favor. I can't see why else someone would use your contact info in the reg.

[omahtld]

Hi, I'll bet your domain is with enom.

Enom and sipence.com have been registering their customers .com domains for the .info using the .com registrants whois info. Without asking.

Apparently, they plan a promotion where you may or may not have to pay for the .info, but they are doing on your behalf, without asking.

I found this with some of my customers domains.

Everyone is waiting to see how it pans out, but a lot of people are pretty pissed at enom atm.

[jdiben]

Originally Posted by omahtld

Hi, I'll bet your domain is with enom.

I don't deal with enom but the .info name was registered through enom. That would explain why they haven't responded to my emails informing them of the fraudulent registration.

Joe