By Domain-Name-Scams.org

DROA serves as a reseller of domain name registration services for eNom, Inc. (“eNom”), an ICANN-accredited registrar of second level domain names. DROA's domain name registration services enable its customers to establish their identities on the web.

In the course of offering domain name services, DROA has engaged in a direct mail marketing campaign aimed at soliciting consumers in the United States to transfer their domain name registrations from their current registrar to eNom through DROA.

 In many instances, consumers do not realize that by returning the invoices along with payment to “renew” their domain name registrations they are, in fact, transferring their domain name registrations from their then-current registrars to eNom. DROA's renewal notices/invoices do not clearly and conspicuously inform consumers of this material fact. 16. Defendant's renewal notices/invoices also fail to inform consumers that DROA charges a processing fee of $4.50 for any transfers of domain name registrations that are not completed , even if through no fault of the consumers. 17. In many instances, DROA promises credits to consumers who request them, but fails to transmit the credits to the consumers' credit card accounts in a timely manner.

Despite the FTC ruling again DRoA (located online at: http://www.ftc.gov/os/2003/12/031219stipdomainreg.pdf ) IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that, in connection with the advertising, marketing, promotion, offering for sale, selling, distribution, or provision of any domain name services, Defendant, its successors, assigns, officers, agents, servants, and employees, and those persons in active concert or participation with it who receive actual notice of this Order by personal service or otherwise are hereby permanently restrained and enjoined from making or from assisting in the making of, expressly or by implication, orally or in writing, any false or misleading statement or representation of material fact, including but not limited to any representation that the transfer of a domain name registration is a renewal. II. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, in any written or oral communication where Defendant makes any representation that a domain name service is expiring or requires renewal, Defendant, its successors, assigns, officers, agents, servants, and employees, and those persons in active concert or participation with it who receive actual notice of this Order by personal service or otherwise are hereby permanently restrained and enjoined from failing to disclose, in a clear and conspicuous manner, in advance of receipt of any payment for services: A. Any cancellation or processing fees imposed prior to the effective date of any transfer or renewal; and B. Any limitations or restrictions on cancelling a request for domain name services.

Despite their order from the FTC to stop sending mailings that trick people into thinking they have received a bill, we received this junk mail in July of 2004. Want to see what the envelope looks like so that in case you get one in the mail you know what to throw away? Click here .

The prices for domain registration via DROA are 10 times as high as other legitimate domain registration sites like godaddy.com.

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