Someone trying to steal my domain

RSK3000 · May 10, 2009

I have read this post
http://www.acorndomains.co.uk/domain-name-scams/51236-1-1-trying-steal-my-domain.html

In that post the domain owner received a letter requesting a transfer.

I received a similar email from Tucows trying to transfer my domain from 1&1 to someone else.

Whats going on?

Any suggestions about an appropriate response?

Should I do nothing? As the email does say "if you do not respond by Wed May 13 23:35:14 2009, xxxxx.com will not be transferred to us."

Should I report it to the police?

Am I in any danger of losing my domain?

RSK3000 · May 10, 2009

This is the email I received..........................

An English version of this message is contained below.

Attention: [my name]

Re: Transfer of my domain name.com

The current registrar of record for this domain name is 1 & 1 INTERNET AG.

Tucows has received a request from [thiefs name]

on Fri May 8 23:35:14 2009 for us to become the new registrar of record.

You have received this message because you are listed as the Registered Name Holder
or Administrative contact for this domain name in the WHOIS database.
Please read the following important information about transferring your domain name:

* You must agree to enter into a new Registration Agreement with us. You can
review the full terms and conditions of the Agreement at
xxxxxxx.com

* Once you have entered into the Agreement, the transfer will take place within
five (5) calendar days unless the current registrar of record denies the request.

* Once a transfer takes place, you will not be able to transfer to another registrar
for 60 days.
If you WISH TO PROCEED with the transfer, you must respond to this message as outlined below (note: if you do not respond by Wed May 13 23:35:14 2009,
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.com will not be transferred to us.).

Please go to our website, xxxxxxxxxx to confirm.

You will need to enter the following information to log in and accept or decline the transfer:

Domain Name : my domain name.com
Transfer Key: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

If you DO NOT WANT the transfer to proceed, then don't respond to this message.

If you have any questions about this process,
please contact [registrars domain]

crabfoot · May 25, 2009

If it is your domain, and you do not know what is going on, someone is trying to steal it.

Since 1and1 are acknowledged as winkers (misprnit) around here, I would suggest you take positive action to tell them NOT to transfer your domain, and copy all correspondence to TuCows - be sure you get a TuCows email address which is not a black hole.

If you do not act positively, nobody will act against the thieves - they will move on to the next turkey. The registrars have to take all applications in good faith. They are looking for a labour-saving approach - which, in the case of !&! probably means they will do nothing - but TuCows might take some action against the thieves.