The words Attention: Important Notice and the expiry date being today's date are sure to put some people under pressure.
What I found particularly interesting was this email reminded me of the letters I'd received in the regular post. Now I know my domain isn't expiring and isn't with this organisation. The notice actually doesn't seem to list a business name and includes none of the usual links to a web site. It is a scam and sadly some people will fall for it.
My thought with scams is surely it wouldn't be too difficult for Yahoo to close the email account as soon as they find out someone is sending a scam. Given they log everyone who signs up for an account which I suspect would include an IP address, perhaps they may be able to identify locations being used to create and send this type of scam. But just as equally if the telephone number is a real number couldn't the telephone service provider block this number or redirect it. Finally surely if the intent is to obtain money the credit card companies could suspect the merchant account. But of course this may just be a scam to obtain credit card numbers. For scams to work there are a number of parties that need to participate and perhaps the legitimate parties in the transaction need to work out ways where they can quickly redirect traffic to minimise the harm to others.
As always with your domain if you receive a notification go back to your records, check the dates and registrar and only renew using the registrars web service and not via a link in an email. If you wish to pay by fax then initiate the request and don't respond to a request out of the blue. Before taking action based on any email you receive, pause for a moment. Ask yourself what action you need to take to better protect yourself. There is always a simple action you can take such as going to the site (not using a link in an email), making a call, or contacting your support person. Act in haste and you'll likely make a mistake you'll regret.
Kelvin Eldridge
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