We regularly hear from clients who receive letters or emails that look like urgent domain renewal notices. These communications often lead to confusion (and even panic), as they seem to be asking for immediate action to maintain your website’s presence online. No one wants to lose their domain name — we get it.

However, these letters are not what they appear to be. In reality, they are scams asking for payment for an unnecessary service. If you’ve ever received one of these letters or emails, it might look something like this:

This letter claims to offer a “website listing service” for your domain name. It might even state an amount due and a payment deadline, making it look like a critical invoice. But if you read this letter closely, you’ll see that it is not a domain renewal notice at all. It’s a solicitation for a service you don’t need. The letter even says:

“We are not a Domain Registrar and we do not Register or Renew Domain Names.”

How to Spot a Website Listing Scam:

1. Check for phrases like ‘This is not a bill.’

Even though these letters look like invoices, they often have a small disclaimer hidden in the fine print, saying that you’re under no obligation to pay unless you accept the offer. Scammers rely on busy business owners quickly glancing at the letter and assuming it’s a necessary expense.

2. Look for clues about the service.

These letters will typically refer to a “website listing” or “directory listing” service rather than domain registration or renewal. Remember: you don’t need to pay anyone to list your website in an online directory unless you’ve explicitly agreed to it. You maintain your website’s domain name through a domain registrar, not through any listing service.

3. Verify the sender.

If the letter or email is from a company you’ve never heard of, like “Domain Listings” in the example, that’s another red flag. Your legitimate domain registrar will always be a company you’ve done business with before, and you’ll likely recognize their name.

4. Check your records.

Before paying any invoice, take a moment to review your domain renewal history. Domain renewals typically happen annually or every few years and are done through companies like GoDaddy or your hosting provider — not random third-party listing services.

What to Do If You Receive One of These Letters

1. Don’t pay.

Ignore the letter or email unless you’ve specifically signed up for a listing service (which is unlikely).

2. Contact us.

If you’re ever in doubt, send the letter or email to us for verification. We’re happy to help you figure out if it’s legitimate.