Every so often, website owners receive an urgent-looking Domain Name Renewal letter or Domain Name Expiration notice through the U.S. mail saying their domain name is about to expire.
The letter may look like an invoice. It may include your real domain name, an “expiration” date, a payment slip, and language warning you about losing your online identity if you don’t act quickly.
Here’s the truth: these mailers are not sent by your actual domain registrar. They’re solicitations designed to get you to pay a third party and, in many cases, unintentionally transfer your domain away from the company that currently manages it.
What’s actually happening
This deceptive tactic is often called “domain slamming.” The mailer is crafted to resemble a renewal bill, but the fine print typically reveals you’re not “renewing” with your current provider at all. You’re accepting an offer to switch (transfer) your domain to the sender—often at a higher cost and with terms you didn’t intend.
The Federal Trade Commission has taken action against at least one well-known sender of these notices. In a 2003 case, the FTC alleged that Domain Registry of America (DROA) used mail solicitations that appeared to be renewal notices or invoices, leading consumers to unwittingly switch registrars, and the stipulated order barred misleading representations and required consumer redress.
In its 2025 Business Scan Study, the Better Business Bureau received more than 1,000 reports of scams, including more than 40- specifically related to domain names.
And unfortunately, we here at OurChurch.com have had several of our clients who have fallen prey to these scams.
Companies that Send “Domain Name Renewal” Letters
Yeah, we’re going to go ahead and name names, so you know who to be wary of.
Note that this list of “Domain Name Renewal” and “Domain Name Expiration Notice” mailers is not exhaustive, and it’s not uncommon once a company gets “outed” to start operating under a new name:
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Domain Registry of America (DROA) (including “Domain Renewal Group” branding shown in sample letters)
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Internet Domain Name Services (iDNS), mentioned as a common example of these mailers
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“Domain Name Services” mailers that look like invoices but operate as transfer solicitations
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“Domain Registry” / “Domain Name Expiration Notice” style letters (various branding variations)
Why they have your business name and address
These mailers often pull contact info from public domain registration data (WHOIS) or other compiled business data sources. So the fact that they know your domain and mailing address doesn’t mean they’re your registrar—it often just means they know where to send a convincing-looking solicitation.
Red flags that a “Domain Name Renewal” or “Domain Name Expiration Notice” is really a solicitation
Here are the most common clues we see:
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It arrives by postal mail and looks like a bill you weren’t expecting.
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The sender name is unfamiliar (or “official-sounding” but not your provider).
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The letter uses urgency and fear: “final notice,” “act today,” “loss of online identity,” etc.
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The fine print says something like “THIS IS NOT A BILL” or “THIS IS A SOLICITATION,” but it’s easy to miss.
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The “renewal” term is unusually long (often multiple years) and priced higher than what you normally pay.
What to do if you receive one
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Do not pay it right away.
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Do not call the number on the letter.
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Verify your real renewal date by logging into the account where your domain is actually managed (or ask your web team to check).
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If your accounting department handles mail, make sure they know domain “renewal” letters are a common trap.
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If you already paid: contact your real domain provider immediately so they can help you protect your domain and check whether any transfer was initiated.
OurChurch.com policy: we will never mail a domain renewal notice
If your domain is with OurChurch.com, please know this clearly:
We will never send a domain name renewal notice through the U.S. mail.
If you receive a letter, email, or any communication about your domain that feels suspicious or confusing, you are always welcome to send it to us and ask, “Is this legit?” We’d much rather take 60 seconds to confirm it’s junk than have you spend money (or risk your domain) by mistake.
If you want, paste the text from a letter you received (or upload a photo of it), and I’ll help you identify the red flags and draft a short message your team can use internally to handle these when they come in.
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Co-founder & CEO, OurChurch.Com
Paul has been the CEO of OurChurch.Com since its founding in 1996, combining his passion for faith and technology to lead the organization.
An accomplished writer, Paul has authored over 2,000 articles on faith and technology, featured on platforms like ChurchLeaders.com, The JoyFM, and his personal blog, LiveIntentionally.org.
Beyond his professional achievements, Paul serves as an elder at Journey Community Church and is deeply engaged in his community through his involvement with the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch and the Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce. He is a contributing author of the book Outspoken! Conversations on Church Communication.
