Over the past few weeks, we’ve had lots of customers get in touch about emails they’ve received regarding domain names. These are emails that are not from Blacknight, or any other reputable registrar, they are simply a scam email.
This type of scam has been around for quite some time, but in recent weeks and months, more and more people are being targeted. The tricky part is that many of these emails look convincing at first glance, which is exactly what the scammers want.
Why you might be targeted
A lot of domain and business contact details are publicly available online. That’s normal and often necessary, for example:
- Your website’s ‘Contact Us’ page (e.g. info@mygreatshop.ie)
- Social media pages
- Online directories or listings
Scammers can “scrape” these public pages to gather email addresses and domain names, then send messages designed to look official. Your contact email is there so customers can reach you… but it can also be found by people trying to reach you for the wrong reasons.
Scam type #1: Fake domain renewal invoices
These emails are usually asking you to pay for a “renewal” or claiming your domain is about to expire.
Here’s how to sanity-check them quickly:
Check who your domain is registered with: If your domain is with Blacknight, you don’t need to pay anyone else to renew it. Renewal should always happen through the registrar you actually use.
Look at the price: A common red flag is an inflated renewal fee.
One example we received recently charged €89 for a 1-year .ie renewal, which is far higher than what most customers would normally expect.
Check the renewal/expiry date: In many cases, the domain in the email isn’t even due for renewal. Scammers rely on panic, not accuracy.
If you’re unsure, don’t click links in the email. Instead, go directly to your registrar (type the site into your browser yourself) and check your domain’s status there.
Scam type #2: The “someone is trying to register your domain” email
Another older scam that seems to be making a comeback is designed to spark fear in businesses and brand owners.
The email typically claims that a “company” has been contacted by someone who wants to register a variation of your domain name. The message usually includes urgency and pushes you to pay quickly to “protect” your brand.
Things to Look Out For
These messages often have a familiar pattern:
- They claim to be based in China or elsewhere in Asia
- They claim someone wants to register a domain similar to your brand
- The “protection” or “registration” price is very expensive
- The email creates a fake sense of urgency so you act before thinking
If you get one of these, take a breath. It’s designed to feel like a fire alarm, but it’s usually just someone trying to scare you into acting fast.
What to do if you receive one of these emails
- Don’t reply and don’t click any links.
- Don’t pay anything from an unsolicited renewal notice.
- Check your domain directly with your registrar by logging in through the official website.
- If you’re a Blacknight customer and you’re not sure, contact our support team and we’ll help you confirm what’s legitimate.
Scams evolve, but the defence stays the same: slow down, verify independently, and contact your registrar directly.
About the Author: Chloe Murray
