Domain Renewal Scams
Fake 'your domain is expiring' notices that trick you into paying a bogus registrar or transferring your domain.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
What this scam is
Domain renewal scams send notices claiming your website domain is expiring, urging payment to a bogus registrar — which either takes your money for nothing or tricks you into transferring your domain away.
How it works
An official-looking 'domain expiration notice' arrives by email or post from a company that isn't your registrar. Paying may transfer your domain to them at inflated prices, or simply lose your money.
Common red flags
- Renewal notice from a company that isn't your registrar
- Urgent 'expiry' deadlines and inflated fees
- Requests that would transfer your domain
- Generic notices not tied to your actual account
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
FINAL NOTICE: your domain [domain] expires in 5 days. Renew now for [amount] to avoid losing it.
Payment methods used
- Card
- Bank transfer
- Invoice payment
Who is usually targeted
- Website owners
- Small businesses
What to do immediately
- Check your domain only via your actual registrar's account
- Ignore renewal notices from unknown companies
- Report misleading notices; dispute any payment
Evidence to preserve
- The notice
- Your real registrar details
- Payment records
Where to report it
- Action Fraud (UK) — UK national fraud & cybercrime reporting centre
- FTC ReportFraud (US) — US Federal Trade Commission fraud reports
- FBI IC3 (US) — US Internet Crime Complaint Center
- Scamwatch (Australia) — Australian competition & consumer reporting
- Your bank's fraud line — Use the number on the back of your card or in your banking app — never a number the caller gives you
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know who my real registrar is?
Log into the account where you registered your domain, or check your records. Renewal notices from companies you don't recognise — especially with urgent deadlines — are scams.