Your Domain Name is About To Expire!

Domain name scams have been floating around as long as I can remember using email. I've posted the latest example of one below - if you see anything in your inbox that looks like this, you can safely ignore it!

The main goal this type of email has is to get you to click on one of the links. They never take you to where they make it look like they'll take you. At best, it'll be to a fake login in the hopes that they'll capture a password from you. At worst, you'll end up with malware on your computer. NEVER EVER click on a link in an email like this. If you think there's a chance a notice is legit, go to the service in question manually and log in to look for notifications. 

The software scammers use to generate these emails help them look authentic. For example, in this message they start off with the name of the registrar that the domain name is registered with. However, this is information that is publicly available. (If your domain registration doesn't have an additional privacy purchased for it, then anyone can look up the domain name, where it's registered, what the associated dates are, and your basic contact information.) 

Fortunately, there are many warnings signs you can look for that will help you know it's bogus.

• Unusual domain names in their links: "renewalnotes.info" shouldn't sound like an actual domain registrar to anyone who's ever registered a domain name.
• The language sounds funny at times... the phrases "No worry", and "You received this message because you elected to receive notification offers" should send up some read flags. The first for being oddly casual for a business email, and the second for sounding like a mailing campaign instead of a purchased service. "Renewal cost per annum" also isn't a typical USA based company style of wording.
• They spell significant wrong (signifcant).
• The last line that reads, "If you have multiple accounts with us, you must opt out for each one individually"... a purchased service won't be worded like emails from a marketing campaign because you've already purchased their product. 
• Any time you see the phrase "Domain SEO-listing" chances are the email is bogus. It's a way for them to include the word "domain" to make sure you are concerned, but adding the rest makes it a technically different thing they are referring to, in order to try to dance around various legal constraints. 

I've removed the actual links in the email below, but left them colored and underlined so it will look similar to what you'd see in your inbox. 

WILD WEST DOMAINS, LLC - Domain
--------------------
IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION
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906websitedesign.com
Date: 2019-02-10
Dear Nathan Lyle,
Your Domain SEO-listing shown below are set for renewal and need to be processed in the next 48 hours.
No worry, please click on this link and follow the instructions:
renewalnotes.info/ 906websitedesign.com
Find your product details below:
--------------------
Product Name:
SEO-Renewal for 906websitedesign.com
Expire Time:
48 hours from 2019-02-10
Renewal cost per annum:
$69.00
--------------------
Amount due: $69.00
INFORMATION FOR PAYMENT
How to renew your domain can be found here:
renewalnotes.info/ 906websitedesign.com
This offer is only valid for 48 hours as a courtesy to let you know that your domain is expiring soon and this search engine optimization offer will expire.
Should your domain name expire, there is going to be a signifcant drop
in search engine services for your website, email and any other associated services.
This domain seo registration for 906websitedesign.com limited time offer will end in 48
hours from 2019-02-10.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Renewal department
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Note:
You received this message because you elected to receive notification offers. Should you want unsubscribe our Service and wish no longer wish to receive our offers, please click here. If you have multiple accounts with us, you must opt out for each one individually.