When I moved to my webhost, I moved my domain (which I originally registered in 98) to them as well. After a year of the worst hosting possible, I decided to move my site. Then I found out that under whois my site was registered under some weird name. When my host failed to respond to my inquiries, I worked with the BBB and found out someone had hacked into their enom (registar) account and changed it but they said they would change it back to my name. This was in Dec. Well come Jan and they'd done nothing, another email to the BBB got them to change it. To their name, not mine. They will now not respond to any emails, calls, or anything to restore it to my name. They claim that the domain has now expired but it's registered to them through 2008 and it was also paid for as part of my package. I'd pay for it again if I could get them to switch it to another registar that I pick. The registar that they have is one that I can't have access to because they regisitered it under their resale account. I do not know what else to do. I've tried to get enom to help but they won't. The BBB can't ge the company to do anything either. I want my site back. oh did I mention that my site now points to advertising? And still is showing my host as owner?
So sad, i m sorry for you , you might try to contact with your old registrar. But dont think, it will be fruitful.
FYI, an expired domain name is autorenewed by its database Registry and bills the sponsoring registrar for it. The registrar has up to 45 days to secure any renewal payment or have the domain name deleted and be refunded for the autorenew. If you go to the sponsoring registrar's WHOIS site, do a WHOIS, and see the line indeed confirms it expired, then it's expired. No one will know unless more details are somehow provided. In the meantime, probably the most pragmatic solution is to contact who the registrar is and ask what available options there are. If you'll be asked to pay about $200 or so (not sure of the figure), that's cheaper than seeking legal advice.
That's good to know about the expired name issue. I contacted the registar, which is indeed enom, and they said they couldn't do anything to help me because the domain is still registered to my webhost so I've contacted them again to see what the expired thing was about. I'll pay for it if I have to, at this point. Thanks
Because ethics is subjective, isn't it? Definitely one shouldn't do business with one whose ethics don't jive with your own.
We had a similar experience before in my last company. Our domain name was hijacked by the host. Luckily it was a local domain host and we were able to threaten the company with law suit if they would not release the domain name registered to us. I cannot imagine what it could have been if the host is an offshore company.
well I did threaten my webhost with legal action in a letter. Finally got them to respond and they fully acknowledged that the domain belongs to me but blames enom taking "extra security precautions" for them not being able to change the name from them to me. Which is crap, IMHO since enom changed it once in Jan already. And since this has been going on since Dec. however, as I said, lesson learned. One day they may actually do what they said. I've contacted enom again with that information and see what they can do Thanks all!
I agree with the rest, always keep a domain seperately. Although, unless you know the hosting biz SEO etc.. well enough, then in that case you have nothing to worry.