[singlepic id=26 w=120 h=240 mode=web20 float=right]I have been getting “official looking” letters in the mail for years from some company called the Domain Registry of Canada. It comes in a brown envelope with a red maple leaf logo. Looking very official government like.

The first one I got had me concerned. I register all my own domain names so I KNOW who I am registered with. Getting this letter, my first thought was that I had to pay some government fee, as it was for a .ca domain name which normally comes with a little extra baggage. But after reading the letter it became obvious that it was not a government letter and was only an attempt at getting me to move my domain name to them at a HUGE cost. Insane prices.

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I immediately threw the trash mail in the fire pit. Good fire starter, burns well.

Over the years I got several more, and still to this day I get them (got one today). Not just for .ca domain names. I get them for all my domains. If I was a super busy person (I am, but still read all email and letters thoroughly) I might have simply filled out the form and sent a cheque. Especially if I was not the one who manages my own domain names.

Like I said, it looks very official with the logo, colours and name. Even putting the pressure to simply fill and go by including such lines as “Due to Expire” and “Protecting Your Domain Name” as well as “Retain Exclusive Rights”. Scary stuff when your a busy person and not very tech savvy. They prey on people who are uncertain if it is real or not, and do not want to chance losing their domain name, and the whole identity of their company online. Powerful stuff.

You need to read the letter though. It does clearly state that it is not a bill or invoice, but only an attempt at soliciting your business. They want people to transfer their domain names over to them for a VERY high price.

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As long as you read the letter and discard it as appropriate, your all good. That is what I always did. Never even gave it a second thought. Until it became a problem.

A couple of my clients received these letters recently, and began the process of transferring the domain names. Thankfully we caught it before the damage was done and got it all sorted with no loss of money or domain names.

It is pathetic that companies can do business like this, preying on people who are unsure of what they need to do.

The Domain Registry of Canada is a legal business and they do register domain names. So they are real and do what they say they do. But they do not do it ethically and in manner that very well should be illegal.

Do you need to register your domain name with DROC (Domain Registry of Canada)?

Absolutely NOT!

Here is the “official looking” letter they sent me today.

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