It takes a lot to make me angry. I mean, really angry. But when people try to scam my clients out of their hard-earned money…well, that will do it.

Several times a year (sometimes several times a month), I’ll get an email from a client that goes something like this: “I just received this domain listing renewal bill in the mail. Is this legit? It looks like it is, but I wanted to check first.”

And it’s a good thing they did check, because it is not legit. Not at all.

What does a domain listing bill scam look like?

This scam comes directly to your mailbox as a physical letter that looks a lot like an actual bill. It is NOT a bill! It is a solicitation. It says that in small print, but you wouldn’t see it if you weren’t looking for it.

How can I tell if it’s a domain scam?

See that section in all caps? Here’s what it says:

“THIS IS NOT A BILL. THIS IS A SOLICITATION. YOU ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO PAY THE AMOUNT STATED ABOVE UNLESS YOU ACCEPT THIS OFFER.”

Yours might look a little different or be worded differently, but they’re all the same. It’s a sales pitch designed to trick you into thinking it’s a bill.

I know. Disgusting, right?

Most Doebank Designs clients are set up with domain billing through Google Domains which you pay directly to Google for $12/year. If you are unsure about your domain settings, check with us or whoever manages your domain before paying any bills.

But whatever you do, do NOT ever send money when you get a “bill” like this in the mail.

Side note: Okay, so technically, it’s not a scam. Since they put that disclaimer in there, it’s legal. But it’s definitely not ethical. I’m going to keep calling it a scam. Just because something is legal doesn’t make it right.

Why does Doebank Designs prefer Cloudflare?

In the past, I have recommended Google Domains for Doebank Designs clients. However, when Google announced recently that they had sold their domain service to Squarespace, I was extremely disappointed! Millions of people will now have to decide whether to make the switch to Squarespace domain management or find the best alternative to Google Domains they can.

Take a minute to read the 7 reasons I believe Cloudflare is the best alternative to Google Domains.

If you have any questions about your domain settings, please get in touch. And whatever you do, don’t pay that ridiculous scam fee!