Domains move instantly and are hard to claw back, which is why selling one attracts scammers. The good news: nearly every domain scam uses the same few tricks.
The common scams
- Fake escrow site: the "buyer" sends a link to a look-alike escrow they control.
- Overpayment: they "accidentally" overpay and ask you to refund the difference before their payment bounces.
- Chargeback: they pay via PayPal/card, you transfer, then they reverse it.
Use real escrow that you open
Close through Escrow.com or a registrar/marketplace's built-in escrow, and always start the transaction yourself by typing the address — never a link the buyer sends. Real escrow only releases your money after the transfer is confirmed.
Never take reversible payment
For domains, avoid PayPal Goods & Services, personal checks, and card payments that can be reversed after you hand over the name. Escrow or a verified irreversible method only. If a buyer refuses escrow, that is the scam revealing itself.
Transfer the safe way
Prefer a registrar push (moving the domain within the same registrar) or release the auth/EPP code only after escrow confirms funds. Never share the auth code before payment is secured — that's handing over the asset for free.
// FAQ
What's the safest way to sell a domain?
Close through a licensed escrow service (or a registrar's built-in escrow) that you open yourself, and transfer only after funds are confirmed. Never accept reversible payments or use an escrow link a buyer sends you.
Can someone reverse payment after I transfer a domain?
Yes — with PayPal Goods & Services, cards, or checks, a buyer can chargeback or bounce the payment after you've handed over the domain. Escrow or verified irreversible payment prevents this.