Is it safe to buy a domain directly from a stranger online?

It can be. The danger is not necessarily that you do not know the seller personally. The danger is sending money without independently verifying ownership, payment instructions, and the transfer process. A properly structured transaction can allow two parties who have never met to complete a domain sale safely.

How do I know an escrow service is legitimate?

Verify the company independently rather than relying on a link provided by the other party. Look at its history, reputation, licensing or bonding where applicable, contact information, and experience handling domain transactions. Go directly to the company's official website and confirm the transaction inside your own account before sending funds.

Is WHOIS enough to prove someone owns a domain?

No. WHOIS can be helpful, but registration information is frequently private, redacted, outdated, or listed through a privacy service. For an important transaction, control of the domain should be verified through additional methods before payment is sent.

What if the seller changes the payment instructions?

Stop and independently verify the change before sending anything. Unexpected changes to wire instructions are a common form of transaction fraud. Confirm the new instructions using a trusted phone number or another communication method that does not rely on the same email message.

What should I do if I think I am being scammed?

Stop the transaction and do not send additional money. Contact the legitimate registrar, marketplace, escrow provider, bank, broker, or other company involved using contact information you obtain independently. If you have already sent funds, contact your bank or payment provider immediately, because your ability to recover funds may depend on how quickly you report the fraud.

Domain Buying Scams to Avoid and How to Protect Yourself

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Fake escrow sites, spoofed sellers, and phishing emails are the most common domain buying scams. Here's how to protect yourself.

By Jeffrey Gabriel · Published September 14, 2026

Graphic covering common domain buying scams: fake escrow, spoofed sellers, phishing, and appraisal scams.

Jeffrey Gabriel

Founder & CEO of Saw.com, is a renowned domain broker with over $500M in sales, including record-breaking deals like Sex.com and Ai.com. In 2019, he left his dream job to start his own company, sharing insights and inspiring others to push their limits through candid conversations with industry leaders.

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Domain Buying Scams to Avoid and How to Protect Yourself

Jeffrey Gabriel

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