iDNS Domain Name Scam

Attention: Some people have called us thinking that we have your domain name — we do not. Please contact iDNS at the number listed in their letter.

iDNS or Internet Domain Name Services is a scam

Invoice from iDNSYou may have received an official-sounding letter in the snail mail or through your email from “iDNS Internet Domain Name Services”. They claim that it’s time to renew your domain name and you should send them upward of $180 to renew for 5 years. It’s the “Best value!”, they claim.

As a courtesy to domain name holders, we are sending you this notification of the domain name registration that is due to expire in the next few months. When you switch today to Internet Domain Name Services, you can take advantage of our best savings.

Who are they?

The letter comes from a New Jersey address and their official name is Internet Domain Name Services Inc. Their domain name has an AC as the Top-Level Domain which is registered in Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha. They likely did that so they could get a short, official-sounding domain name (iDNS).

924 Bergen Ave
Suite #289
Jersey City, NJ 07306-3018
(844) 855-4367

 

What do they want?

They are trying to trick you into changing your registrar to them and they will charge you 3 times what everyone else charges.

You must renew your domain name to retain exclusive rights to it on the Web, and now is the time to transfer and renew your name from your current Registrar to Internet Domain Name Services. Failure to renew your domain name by the expiration date may result in a loss of your online identity making it difficult for your customers and friends to locate you on the Web.

What should I do?

Nothing. Throw the letter/invoice in the recycle bin.

You probably bought your domain name from companies like GoDaddy or Namecheap (affiliate link) or Register.com and when you get close to your expiration date they will send you an email and maybe even a letter.

When it’s time to renew you should expect to pay less than $15 per year. That’s three times less than iDNS was going to charge you.

Incidentally, don’t buy domain names from Network Solutions either. Their prices are outrageous. You don’t (or rarely) get anything extra by paying double and triple for your website’s domain name so don’t be fooled. Stick with $15 or fewer domain names and you’ll be fine.

Can you help?

Absolutely! Visit our contact page and send us a message. We will help you buy your domain name with one of our preferred providers. We will never own your domain name – we’ll just assist you in buying it and helping you renew it if needed.

A visitor suggested that you complain to Stripe.com about iDNS. They said that they use Stripe as their processor and if enough people complain, it might help stop these people from tricking anyone else.

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