Help! I've Been Scammed
If you have suffered at the hands of a domain name scammer, this page will help you take action.
We would recommend that you register on this website, if you haven't done so already, and post your experience under the appropriate company (you can find a list on our home page), this will allow you to gain the support and assistance of other users, as well as benefit from their experiences. Once there are enough complaints for any company, we will help initiate a complaint to Trading Standards and/or the police, and your experiences will lend weight to that action.
Once you have registered and posted your experience, consider some of the advice on this page, but act quickly and remember to document everything. Record your phonecalls and send any correspondence by registered, guaranteed mail.
Distance Selling Regulations
The Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 may apply. These regulations are for business to consumer sales, but may be worth checking out - especially if you paid by personal cheque, or personal credit/debit card. Under these regulations you have a 7 day cooling off period where you can change your mind and become entitled to a refund.
More information on the OFT website here: http://www.oft.gov.uk/advice_and_resources/resource_base/legal/distance-selling-regulations/
Credit / Debit Card Guarantees
If your card has been debited for a greater amount than you authorised, contact your bank for a refund under the credit card guarantee. This is not available for all card types, but it's always worth a call to your bank. If you have written a cheque - ask the bank to stop payment. Don't expect your bank to have a clue what you're talking about (it's unlikely the bank staff member will have any knowledge of domain names), but be persistent.
If the company keep getting charge back requests from banks, then their bank will stop their merchant services (their ability to accept credit cards).
Contract
Did you enter into a contract? If you didn't sign anything, and they didn't record the telephone call, then the answer is no, although an agreement to register domains and pay for them is implied by the fact you gave the company your credit card details. If there is no contract, tell the company you have changed your mind and demand a refund. Don't expect them to comply, but you should at least try.
Small Claims Court
Issue a summons for small claims court. You can do that here: https://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk.
It's unlikely that these people will ever turn up in court, which will means you will win by default. It doesn't mean you will get your money back, but at least the scammer will get a CCJ and this will make it impossible for them to get credit, bank accounts and merchant services.
Seek Legal Advice
Seek the advice of a solicitor if you can. If you are a business and are members of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), then you have free legal advice just a phone call away.