Just received a snail mail at work from Network Solutions regarding a domain name (I won’t mention the name or anything pertinent to protect the innocent). Any way, the guy that registered the domain name used to work for us (7 or more years ago) and is using our phone number, fax number, and address as contact information on the domain name. I contacted Network Solutions via e-mail and they said I had to call them. I called them and they said they could do nothing about it. I asked to speak with a supervisor and the case was “escalated.” They were going to contact ICANN about the dispute. I could contact them in 3 - 5 days to see how it went.
This seems wrong to me. I wanted the site shut down (url translation) until this was fixed. They won’t do anything. I don’t want to seem paranoid, but why would anyone on the up and up use a false address in a situation like this? What can I do? Should I notify anyone like the FBI (the person in question is of middle eastern descent)? I just can’t figure this.
Obviously I don’t know the details, but given what you’ve said, I can see Network Solutions’ point of view. Who are you to them? You’re nothing more than a voice on the telephone. Why should they instantly believe you and immediately suspend the site on nothing more than the word of a voice on the telephone? They need to look into it and determine exactly what is really going on. You should be glad they’re taking the time to investigate. Would you like it if some random idiot was able to have your legitimate site suspended on the strength of a phone call?
IANAL, but know quite a bit about such matters, and have had to deal with them before. Basically, nobody can answer this without having all the full details, and can do whois checks, etc. I presume that the board rules prohibit posting all that here. If you can figure out my e-mail address (and if you can’t do so with Google knowing my user name here, this would be embarassing), if you can provide me with all the details I could trivially check all the records on this matter. As for the FBI, contact them and they’ll just laugh. If legal hardball is needed, then this will have to be done through ICANN or the courts.
Question: how long has this Web site been registered using your contact information? (Perhaps the guy acquired it when he was working for you and hasn’t bothered changing it since).
It’s a safe practice to hide the information about your home address, phone from anyone using a WHOIS search. James Lileks uses the Star-Tribune newspaper address, for example. Keeps people from hunting down Jasperwood.
Can you get in contact with the guy, or did he use your email address as well?
I understand what you’re saying, but all they have to do is call the conact number (listed in the domain) and when I answer the phone (seeing as how it’s my work number), they should have more faith in me. Or, they could send me a fax. Or, they could send me a super secret, encrypted snail mail and when I call them and verify that I received it… Not trying to be nasty here, but let’s use logic. :smack:
A few years ago, a phone call might indeed have straightened this out. Unfortunately, hackers knew this too and several sites were hijacked by people that either called or faxed Network Solutions pretending to be the rightful domain owner and requesting DNS changes. Network Solutions did as they were asked, then were busy wiping the egg of their face once these stunts hit the news. Since then it’s become much more difficult to change domain information. I know, I’ve had the displeasure of having to do it of a couple of occasions at my former job.
In short, I agree with daffyduck… without knowing the full details of what’s going on, I too think that Network Solutions is right to be cautious.
Again, I say, all they have to do is call and when I answer…
Whois says the domain name was made in 2000. The guy stopped working with us over 7 years ago.
I understand not wanting to be bothered. I have a P.O. Box, an answering machine, and voicemail to filter those whom I would not like to be in contact (Bill collectors, we can make them leave you alone). There’s always a yahoo or hotmail account for that matter.
To make things a bit weirder, I tried to call the phone number listed on the actual website. Beautiful website with shockwave video showing the inside of a restaurant, by the way. Any way, when I called this resaurant, all I got was an answering machine. I asked them to call me (and, no, I did not want a reservation) and left my name, number, and small message as to why they should call me.
Although I can understand not asking how high when someone says jump, I still think Network Solutions should have some way of dealing with this (other than passing it off on ICANN). I guess it’s like in the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: SEP
But what we’re saying is that anyone can register a domain using any address and contact infomation they’d like. Unless it’s completely obvious that the infomation is fake (like registering a domain name using "1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington DC) Network Solutions (or any registrar worth a damn) is going to react with caution to any “unauthorized” domain name changes.
It doesn’t matter to you if it seems odd that the guy obviously created the domain using your contact information after he left the company… the registrar doesn’t know you from Adam and will proceed with caution.
After all, how would you feel if I could just “call up” the Social Security Administration and claim to be you, and change anything in your SSA records?
Network Solutions has someone on the ball (unbeknownst to the rest of the world) and he, or she as the case may be, looks at the contact information (in their database) and picks up a phone…
(Lektrikpuke picks up the phone) Hello, this is Robert.
(Unbeknownst) Robert, this is Network Solutions. Did you report someone …
I guess I don’t understand what you’re trying to tell me. Then again, maybe you don’t understand that this guy used my work phone number in his domain name registration (as the technical contact). And, if they called the technical contact number, they would be talking to me. If a phone call is too expedient, and I know that it is for some, they could write me a letter, which I would receive, because, again, he used my work address for the technical contact. Either way, I guess it’s safe to say you and I are not going to see eye to eye on this.
If all the contact information points to you right now, then ask them to hand over control of “your” domain to the provider of your choice.
An indy “media” group once registered a fake Dow site in the name of Dow’s cheif executive’s son. (linky.) Since it was in his name, he just transferred the hosting and took it down.
I think the point is that Network Solutions has absolutely no incentive to do what you’re asking. If you were legit, you’d follow established channels. If you’re not legit, you stand to create a PR firestorm for them. Why should their (notoriously bad) customer service people go out on a limb for you? I’ve never gotten NSI’s customer service people to do their job, much less do anything outside established procedures.
As Nanoda said, if you really are the contact, then just follow their procedures to do what you want.
Please remember that under the terms of your registration agreement, the
provision of false Whois information can be grounds for cancellation of your
domain name registration.
Although we respect your privacy, and understand your concerns about listing
your domain contact information, our regulating authority, ICANN, requires that
this notice (http://www.icann.org/registrars/wdrp.htm) be sent annually and that
all domain contact information associated with your domain registrations be
up-to-date and accurate.
If you have any questions regarding this requirement, you may forward them
to:
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)
4676 Admiralty Way, Suite 330
Marina del Rey, CA 92092
US
Email: icann@icann.org - Subject: WDRP Notice Comments and Concerns
