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Please note- A new National Business Names Register (NBNR) is expected to commence on 28 May 2012. The new national register will be administered by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

In order to ensure a smooth change-over to the new national register certain South Australian business name services have changed. For more information, visit www.cbs.sa.gov.au/NBNR

The best defence against scam operators is knowledge and caution. Consumer and Business Services is concerned about the number of unscrupulous operators who take advantage of small businesses.

As long as you remain alert, you should be able to protect yourself from being taken for a ride. Many businesses receive demands for payment for advertising or services that have not been requested or provided. Often business people are told that advertising in a business register is necessary in order to meet government regulatory requirements. The practice is known as 'blowing' through the approach being made by telephone.

A number of schemes have ceased to operate after action taken by fair trading/consumer affairs authorities in Australia and overseas. However, scheme promoters continually change the names of their operations but the aim is the same - to receive payment for services that are either not provided or are valueless.

For a list of all known scams that have been operating in South Australian, see ScamsFor a list of all known scams that have been operating in South Australian, see Scams.

Be aware and don't be caught out.

Domain names

What's in a domain name?
Domain names provide a system of easy-to-remember internet addresses, which can be translated by the Domain Name System (DNS) into the numeric addresses (Internet Protocol (IP) numbers) used by the network. For example a domain name will be similar to www.yourbusiness.com.au but its IP number or address will be similar to 204.96.78.4.

A domain name for a website can remain unchanged if the website is moved to a different host computer or server. However, an IP address will change if the server changes. This is similar to a business moving premises – the business name will stay the same but the street address will be different.

The business domain name
A domain name includes a core name plus a domain name level that often indicates where the domain name is registered. www.yourbusiness.com says that the files are located in the World Wide Web (www), it has the core name ‘your business' and is registered at the .com level. While www.yourbusiness.com looks similar, the .au indicates that the domain name is registered on the registry for Australian domains.

A domain name does not necessarily indicate where the website associated with that domain name is hosted, however an IP address can provide this information via an IP Whois search.

Same core name, but different domain names
Many businesses choose to register many different levels of their name in order to ensure that all versions lead to their website. For example, www.coffee-express.com.au is a different domain name to www.coffee-express.net.au, but if they are both registered by the same core business then all hits will arrive at the same destination.

It is important to note that a registered business name does not guarantee that the business name can be used for a domain name

Renewal dates for domain names
Domain name registrations for .au domain names are renewed every two years. The time for registration renewals for other types of domains may be different, for example, .com domain names are renewed in yearly increments.

It is important to note domain names are leased and not owned. If not renewed a domain name can be registered by another eligible party

For more information on the domain name industry


Unsolicited letters offering domain names
Unsolicited letters offering domain name registrations are still catching out domain name holders, in particular small business operators.

These letters can range from completely bogus invoice-like letters attempting to fool the account payer, to letters that are offering a new domain name very similar to the business's existing one. The letters can result in the business being either the victim of a scam or the unwitting owner of a new domain name.

Some of the letters may also be offering other services such as website hosting or redirecting or email services.

How to avoid problems
Domain name holders and business operators can avoid problems associated with unsolicited letters by becoming familiar with the domain name renewal process, and setting in place some simple administrative practices:


Lists of accredited registrars are available at www.auda.org.au (Australia) or www.icann.org for .com domain names.Prices for domain names vary - shop around for the best deal.

Where to go if there are problems

If you feel that you have been misled contact the ACCC or our office.

For more information on unsolicited goods or services, see Unsolicited supplies and consumer agreements.


To help protect against domain name scams complete the following and keep handy for everyone involved in the bill paying

My correct domain name/s is/are:

My domain name registrar/s or re-seller/s is/are:

My domain name renewal date/s is/are:

If the letter is not from your registrar you do not have to send money. If in doubt contact your registrar first


How to protect yourself

Forewarned is forearmed when it comes to dealing with those who try to take advantage of small business. The following guidelines should ‘weed out' the unscrupulous operators without adversely affecting the honest operator.

Be cautious about agreeing to anything over the telephone.

You should


Related information:

Resources
Contact us about business names

Fees for business names

Forms for business names

Legislation for business names

Links for business names

Publications for business names

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