Proof of Identity on Transfer

[Jeewhizz]

If the current registrant is an individual or a sole trader, please attach a photocopy of the registrant’s driving license or a utility bill. This is required in order for the request to be authenticated.

This is new on the Transfer Notes (as far as I can remember!) and after speaking to a few traders, it appears not everyone is aware, so thought i'd post in case others haven't got a clue!

I rang nom yesterday to ask about this, and their answer was that the ID is necessary as some 'chatrooms & forums had complained that anyone can request the transfer of a domain'.

I can understand the change, but I only saw it as i decided to double check the new Transfer Notes PDF - it isn't on the Transfer Form PDF. On the Transfer Form it states:

Please attach aconfirmatory letter on your business or personal letterheaded paper to this form. This letter must include
your business and personal name (as applicable), your address, business details, the domain name you want to transfer
and your signature.

and

Nominet cannot process transfer requests unless the original transfer form and confirmatory letter have been
received and completed in full.

Nothing about the ID on there...

Jee

 

[tifosi]

caught me out a bit as well. I don't particularly like giving out personal info to the new registrants when I sent the transfer documents. In the end just used a flyer from the utility company with my address on lt.

S

 

[Jeewhizz]

I'm just sending the new registrant the forms, and then getting them sent back to me, and i'll handle all the paperwork.

It's not that well thought out. Especially in today's day with Identity theft etc... It would be better if we could submit the needed Identity paperwork to Nom, and they keep it on file for all future transfers...

 

[retired_member11]

Out of curiosity has anyone ever had Nominet checking out any of their transfers in the past? Verifying the authenticity of the proposed transfer et.c.?

 

[Paullas]

i was asked this last week for a copy of my driving licence. Not happy at all and i still thinking about it..

 

[retired_member11]

i was asked this last week for a copy of my driving licence. Not happy at all and i still thinking about it..

You were the buyer, or the seller?

 

[keys]

Nominet now advise the Registrant when a transfer request has been received (every time), in some cases they also request ID before they will proceed with a transfer. There is no reason for new Registrant to see ID info. This all makes sense to me.
It is possible to do a transfer without the buyer seeing pages 1/2 of the form, but this is likely to hinder sales.

 

[Paullas]

You were the buyer, or the seller?

seller................

 

[Jeewhizz]

You were the buyer, or the seller?

Only the current registrant is required to provide the documentation...

 

[Redneck]

It would be better if we could submit the needed Identity paperwork to Nom, and they keep it on file for all future transfers...

This is a very bad idea and I would suggest not very well thought out by you.
Just imagine if they did that and it became common knowledge, I would expect a big increase in fraudulent attempts to transfer domain names.

I think this system is fine to be honest. It all depends how you want to do business, but the more you try to hide your details from the buyer, it has to have a negative effect on the sale of your domains. I know I certainly wouldn’t be to keen do business with a shadow.

Personally I think if you’re concerned about ID theft and reluctant for the buyer to see your driver’s license, make sure you put a contactable email address on the transfer form and wait for Nominet to request it from you. When they do, bang a quick fax to the advisor and job done with minimal delay.

 

[charlie]

Got me!
I got stumped by this as well - what i cant understand is they
I have an account
they have my credit card details
they send me post everyday
they only send to the registered address
isn't that enough!

buggers! is it never straight forward!

 

[Jeewhizz]

Ideally, the best option would be this:

1) Setup an account with Nom
2) Nom then post you two ID's. One private, one public - similar to PGP keys
3) When you buy a .uk domain you put in your public PGP Key - and this assigns it to your 'account'
4) You can login with the private account, and some other info (mother's maiden name & pass?)
5) From here you can auth a transfer, and pay the £35 online

Am I dreaming too much?

Jee

 

[charlie]

Ideally, the best option would be this:

1) Setup an account with Nom
2) Nom then post you two ID's. One private, one public - similar to PGP keys
3) When you buy a .uk domain you put in your public PGP Key - and this assigns it to your 'account'
4) You can login with the private account, and some other info (mother's maiden name & pass?)
5) From here you can auth a transfer, and pay the £35 online

Am I dreaming too much?

Jee

too easy - i like the solutions that include vast amounts of paper and animals in the transport from one point to another! enough of this online stuff - back to the old school!

 

[Jeewhizz]

I prefer smoke signals...

 

[aquanuke]

Why cant we have a preferential system for tagholders ie somthing like verification through a pgp email that can be done online rather then faxing or telephone calls or even postal.

I think tag holders should have more benefits to justify the costs to them.

If you can register and delete through pgp emails then why not transfer?

 

[eetc]

If you can register and delete through pgp emails then why not transfer?

I agree. We have already gone through the process of identifying ourselves to Nominet, we have established a line of credit and Nominet have recourse against us if we default. Our PGP email establishes that our request is authentic. Of course, this would only apply to domains actually registered to the Tag holder.

Hmmmmm..... Grrrrr......

eetc

 

[rob]

Why cant we have a preferential system for tagholders ie somthing like verification through a pgp email that can be done online rather then faxing or telephone calls or even postal.

I think tag holders should have more benefits to justify the costs to them.

If you can register and delete through pgp emails then why not transfer?

There is a 'secure messaging' bit on the online services page... not sure if it is acceptable though

 

[aquanuke]

If you can register and delete through pgp emails then why not transfer?

Why not let Tag holders have a 30 day period from registering a domain to be able to alter the registrant details. If after X amount of time that proved troublefree maybe they could then lift the time limit.

That way it could be possible to have a completely online transfer process in the future if it proved successful.

 

[Slater]

Last couple of domains I've faxed over a copy of my last Nominet invoice which has been accepted.

However did the same today stating the following.

Unfortunately we can only accept a copy of a driving licence or a utility
bill as proof of identification.

Why is my Nominet invoice not considered valid whereas a gas or electric bill is :twisted:

 

[Jeewhizz]