6 Steps To Take If Your Domains Get Taken Hostage

On October 11, 2012 at 3:40 AM US Central, my nightmare was officially over. All 10 of my domains were freed from an AWOL host and available for normal use once again.

However, I know I am one of the lucky ones. Not everyone is able to get their domains back as relatively easily as I was able to.

If it ever does (G-d forbid) happen to you, there are a few things you can do right away to start taking control of the situation and potentially securing a favorable outcome.

STEP #1 - Gather The Facts
If you don't know who the registrar of record is and/or who they may be a channel provider for, find out immediately!

1. Go to: http://who.godaddy.com/whoisverify.aspx?domain=YOURDOMAINHERE
2. Enter the anti-spammer code.
3. BOOM! You've got what you need to start attacking the issue.

STEP #2 - Get The Ball Rolling
Get your documents in order and contact them with:

1. Detailed Account Information
2. Specific Dates
3. Your Desired Outcome

You want to be as specific and as clear as possible. Emotions may be running high but you need to take a deep breathe and focus. It will save time and prevent a lot of the confusion I think I may have unintentionally caused my international registrar.

Even if you think you are doing business with a same-country business person, their supplier might be from another country entirely and what we may think of as straight conversation may be completely different from what they understand we're saying.

STEP #3 - Document, Document, Document!
Do not rely on their system to send you a copy. Screencap your entire message, screencast yourself typing/sending it, and do not be afraid to make a video about the problem. I wound up making two to clarify what appeared to be textual confusion.

Keep every one of their replies. Make written notes of conversations. Record dates, times, names, promises, compromises offered, EVERYTHING.

If you are willing to make some of the information public, create a blog post about the situation and share a link to it on social media outlets. The squeaky wheel gets the oil and nothing squeaks as loud as social media right now.

STEP #4 - Know Your Options
Sometimes domain owners are lucky and are able to work things out with the master registrar. Other times, someone else beats them to their own domain and they lose all the work they put into it or wind up having to pay a domain buy service a LOT of money to buy back their own domain.

How far are you willing to take this?

STEP #5 - Be Persistent
Keep opening tickets until your situation is resolved, no matter how uncharacteristic it may be of you or how squeamish it makes you feel. This is your domain, your home on the web, your personal life, or your business.

STEP #6 - Seek Relief
Use your documentation to file detailed reports with the Better Business Bureau and the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network. Speak to a knowledgeable legal representative.

Disclaimer: These are just basic steps that I took to help me recover my domains. They may or may not work for you. However, you will never get your domains back if you don't step up and try something so why not start here?

Have fun, stay safe, and G-d bless,


P.S. Please don't hesitate to add your tips below!