I received a letter from US Domain Authority today indicating I need to remit payment in the amount of 289 dollars by January 24th to continue with Domain listing. My website address was listed as well. In actuality it was a sleazy attempt to sell me something I do not need. It looked like a legit bill. On the back there was a single sentence indicating it was a solicitation not a bill. Googling their name revealed lots of complaints.

Pays to check the back had the Real Yellow Pages send me a bill for internet listing another scam same as yours

A few years ago when I had Xfinity cable, I was out of my two year contract and wanted to add a program. I was told that I ad to sign up for a two year contract to add it. I went on lint to the FCC page and filed a complaint with the email from them. I had an apology from Xfinity within ten days for their mistake. I canceled everything the same day.

Common stuff, there are tons of companies that doe this for many things, common things are Notary, annual corporate filings, anything to do with having to pay annual fees to a government agency.

Get solicitations like this all the time.

I think you can pay extra on your domain listing to make it private, frankly it should be the opposite, the domain company should have to get your permission to make it non private information...

I wouldn't exactly call it a scam but close.
This is quite common where these companies try to make you think your domain needs attention (renewal etc) and want you to fix it.
The problem is that they don't actually have anything to do with your domain and sort of "trick" you to renew or whatever with them.
Made for people who don't check or pay attention.
So pay attention to the details and you can avoid any of these things.

quote:

I think you can pay extra on your domain listing to make it private, frankly it should be the opposite, the domain company should have to get your permission to make it non private information...

I don't disagree.
Perhaps it was originally public as to have some sort of identity to the host.
But yes confidentially should prevail - it doesn't and I pay for keeping it private.