Scam Alert: Local Businesses Hit With Fake Domain Fees

Multiple businesses in Antelope County have recently received scam letters asking them to pay an annual domain fee for their website.

The letters are from fake companies that claim to host the website domains and instruct the business or organization to pay the fee immediately or their domain could be utilized by someone else.

Carrie Pitzer of Pitzer Digital in Neligh confirmed that the scam is again making its round in the area and encourages people to not pay the fee without first contacting their website developer.

"No matter what company your domain is registered with, always take a moment and contact your developer to ensure the bill is legitimate," Pitzer said. "For our clients, the bill will be directly from Pitzer Digital, not any other company. If you receive a letter or bill, please call us. We want to make sure you don't pay a fraudulent claim."

The domain scam is widely used by fake companies world wide, she said, especially since the date of domain renewals is public record and can be easily obtained. 

Pitzer warns that paying the $150-$200 fraudulent bill is simply putting dollars into a scammers pocket and none of it goes toward an actual domain fee. 

"It's absolutely a scam," she said. "If you pay the fraudulent bill, you will still have to pay your usual domain fee or the domain will not be renewed for another time period."