Warning Issued On Australian Internet Scam

The Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern) is warning that a scam from Australia is asking exorbitant fees to register new Internet suffixes for New Zealand web sites.

The new international extensions of .biz and .info have been available for registration for some months, while the pro forma invoices from Australia have been circulating on the web, and are now coming through the mail from a Melbourne based operation.

"The Melbourne operation wants $250 to register the new suffixes though they can be obtained locally for $74," said EMA Executive Officer Garth Wyllie.

"Once they've got your money then there's some doubt whether the registration will actually be made.

"The mail out urges businesses to protect their domain name though there's no risk to it, then asks recipients to respond within 48 hours.

"This smells of scare mongering. Companies can register their company names with the new suffixes, if they feel they need to, through their Internet Service Provider which can usually act as an agent for the New Zealand Internet Registry.

"Registering the new suffixes may provide protection in some cases though the law against passing off is clear and being enforced.

"EMA has fielded several calls from concerned members over the promotion and whether they needed to do something. We are advising New Zealand businesses to file the document in the rubbish.

"Internet and domain names should be considered like a telephone directory; whether you choose to list in one or more categories depends on the nature of your business."

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