[Gusto Brunt]

I own several domains and one of them is coming up for renewal in mid May.

I thought I'd get in there early and found out I couldn't pay through Paypal, as the registrar had changed the way to pay.

I sent a ticket to sales and they sent an email back saying, 'we can only accept payment if you send us a photocopy of your credit card, front and back, and a copy of your driving licence with photo, and you passport.'

Well of course I told them to take a hike. I reported them to my credit card company who says it sounds fradulent and I should contact the police. Failing that report the registrar to ICANN.

Has anyone else been asked for such personal information.

[T*]

That seems dodgy

[T*]

Seems like an identity fraud trap

[Gusto Brunt]

Yeah exactly what the credit card company said. Thing is the registrar has my domain locked until I pay it.

But I am not paying for it their way, so ICANN said they will step in for me and help. Fingers crossed.

Because I need to transfer the domain away from these fraudsters.

[Brillopad]

Originally Posted by Gusto Brunt

Yeah exactly what the credit card company said. Thing is the registrar has my domain locked until I pay it.

But I am not paying for it their way, so ICANN said they will step in for me and help. Fingers crossed.

Because I need to transfer the domain away from these fraudsters.

Sound very worrying. I hope you get it sorted.

[Gusto Brunt]

^^ Thanks, Brillo.

[Calderyon]

Credit card details no (in a pic form), but my bank asked the front and back of my id card.

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

[Mystic Mock]

Ask the fraudster to show theirs.

[Tozzie]

the trouble with this is some naive person may have given what they asked for, its horrible that our own identities are not safe. We live in a vile world with so many nasty people around . Everyone is encouraged to do online banking these days, so many banks are closing down but we aren't safe with our bank details online. There is always some nasty twat ready to steal from us. Hope you contacted the police Gusto

[Marsh.]

I couldn't find my identity for days, I hope nobody stole it.

[Gusto Brunt]

Originally Posted by Tozzie

the trouble with this is some naive person may have given what they asked for, its horrible that our own identities are not safe. We live in a vile world with so many nasty people around . Everyone is encouraged to do online banking these days, so many banks are closing down but we aren't safe with our bank details online. There is always some nasty twat ready to steal from us. Hope you contacted the police Gusto

Very true.

Not contacted the police yet. I will after I get my domain back.

Originally Posted by Mystic Mock

Ask the fraudster to show theirs.

Originally Posted by Calderyon

Credit card details no (in a pic form), but my bank asked the front and back of my id card.

Yeah a bank is different.

[jennyjuniper]

Originally Posted by Gusto Brunt

I own several domains and one of them is coming up for renewal in mid May.

I thought I'd get in there early and found out I couldn't pay through Paypal, as the registrar had changed the way to pay.

I sent a ticket to sales and they sent an email back saying, 'we can only accept payment if you send us a photocopy of your credit card, front and back, and a copy of your driving licence with photo, and you passport.'

Well of course I told them to take a hike. I reported them to my credit card company who says it sounds fradulent and I should contact the police. Failing that report the registrar to ICANN.

Has anyone else been asked for such personal information.

Sounds like identity theft. Good you reported it.

[Gusto Brunt]

Originally Posted by jennyjuniper

Sounds like identity theft. Good you reported it.

Thanks, Jenny. Well I had to, the fraudsters have locked my business domain and I can't renew it or transfer it elsewhere unless it's unlocked.

But they said they will only unlock it after I have shown them all this information, which, of course, I refuse to do.

But do you think it will stop at them taking the Ł9.80?

Not on your Nellie. I bet they'd clear my credit card balance limit of Ł2,500 first. But they're not going to get the opportunity.

[user104658]

To be fair, you're not at any point actual risk, all credit cards are protected against fraudulent activity so it would be your credit card provider taking the hit.

But it does sound like a scam. Quite a clever one, really. Give out cheap domain names, let people build a business around them, and then hold their business to ransom once the domain expires...

Which is why you should only ever go with reputable sellers in the first place . Cheaper isn't always better.

But then...

I have always found "namecheap" to be one of the best priced and also on the level.

[Gusto Brunt]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

To be fair, you're not at any point actual risk, all credit cards are protected against fraudulent activity so it would be your credit card provider taking the hit.

But it does sound like a scam. Quite a clever one, really. Give out cheap domain names, let people build a business around them, and then hold their business to ransom once the domain expires...

Which is why you should only ever go with reputable sellers in the first place . Cheaper isn't always better.

But then...

I have always found "namecheap" to be one of the best priced and also on the level.

You're nailed it in one. Clever you.

[Josy]

Sounds like a scam. I've owned websites for a lot of years and never been asked for any such details during a renewal

[Gusto Brunt]

^^

Exactly Josy. I've owned domains since the late 1990s, and never been asked such a blatant fraudulent demand.

[Gusto Brunt]

UPDATE:

Finally they accepted my credit card payment with just the payment details...

And my domain was successfully transferred today. Very happy.