Beware – Internet Register Ireland Scam

By on November 22, 2006 in irishblogs, News, Tips

A number of our clients have reported receiving letters from a German company today called “Internet Register Ireland” which seems to be a trading name of DAD Deutscher Adressdienst GmbH.
The letter is nicely presented and includes a business reply envelope (all printed on recycled paper no less!).
See below for sample:
scam letter
The issue arises in the smaller print at the bottom of the page.
If you sign and send in the letter you will be agreeing to pay them the sum of €958 for a “listing” on their “directory”.
We would recommend clients to simply bin this letter.

About Michele Neylon

Known for his outspoken opinions on technology and the Internet, Michele Neylon is the award winning author of several blogs and co-host of the Technology.ie podcast. A thought leader in the Internet community, Neylon is active with ICANN and an expert on policy, security, ICANN, Nominet and Internet Governance.
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15 Responses to Beware – Internet Register Ireland Scam

  1. Zascar December 14, 2006 at 14:16 #

    I got one of these. However, I work for a huge multinational software company and they somehow addressed it to me saying I own the .com domain! Ha, I wish!

  2. Gavin February 7, 2007 at 18:59 #

    Seems these folks are doing their rounds again but under a different site.
    I want to try and dig a bit before jumping the gun on this new site and see if there is a connection.
    Hav you heard anything at your end?
    Gavin.

  3. Michele February 7, 2007 at 19:05 #

    I haven’t heard anything new

  4. Jonathan Foley September 19, 2007 at 11:14 #

    I got one too. Nice try, Fritz. I’m going to call the phone number at the top of the letter and hurl dog’s abuse at them for several minutes! :)

  5. Gerald September 19, 2007 at 16:45 #

    Just got one this morning 19/09/07. In the small print it says €958 per annum and the order is valid for three years. Removed my name and ref no. and faxed my “comments” to the number on top. Feels good!!

  6. Michele September 19, 2007 at 20:03 #

    Jonathan – If their English isn’t that good you mightn’t get that much satisfaction from it :)
    Gerald – I got one this morning for blackknight.ie!
    Michele

  7. Alan September 20, 2007 at 10:55 #

    I have now received 3 of these letters and I rang the office and asked to speak to the manager, the first question I got from her “Are you a journalist?” how guilty can you be!!!!
    Can we report this to anyone offical?

  8. Mairead September 20, 2007 at 12:20 #

    Hey Guys, it’s still doing the rounds, I got one this morning. Luckally I googled them. I was going 2 have a bash at contanting them with my leaving cert pass german, but it looks like I won’t have to!

  9. Louie September 24, 2007 at 15:11 #

    I got one the other day too.
    Same as last year. Man they must have made a fortune by now.

  10. Andy Leates September 25, 2007 at 10:08 #

    Just got one of these today too. They didn’t even spell my domain name right!

  11. Michele Neylon September 25, 2007 at 10:59 #

    Their system is obviously automated, as I got one for blacknight.ie the other day :)

  12. ace party co October 4, 2007 at 11:03 #

    hi there we have had lot mail from these people we signed the fax in error and sent it back and now thay say thay are taking us to court any advice would be nice cheers ace party

  13. John Thompson December 29, 2007 at 22:54 #

    I have also been caught by this scam and I am receiving demands for payment. I have no intention of paying them but not sure what the legal position is. Any suggestions?

  14. Michele Neylon December 30, 2007 at 01:27 #

    John
    I’d recommend you speak to your solicitor if you want legal advice. If you provide them with all the evidence of what that company has been up to they should be in a position to provide you with the information you need
    Regards
    Michele

  15. Allison February 13, 2008 at 16:25 #

    Yes got one of these also – filled it in. and now they are looking for payment.
    Anyone done anything about this?