Beware of fake invoices: don't just pay!

Written by:

Ghost invoices are unfortunately a common occurrence in the world of domains and web hosting. Often they seem official, but the goal is simple: to extort money from you for services you never requested.

Here is a recent example that we regularly encounter:

Sender:Johanna Visser johannavisser051@gmail.com

Message:
"Dear Sir/Madam,
Enclosed you will find the specifications regarding your domain registration for 2025/2026.
We hope to have informed you properly with this.

Kind regards,

Customer Service
Your Domain Netherlands
Domain & Hosting Service"

Attention: The above message is not legitimate, and a nasty attempt at fraud!

How do you recognize a Ghost invoice?

In many cases, you can recognize a ghost invoice. Don't pay too quickly! Pay close attention to the following signs:

  • No specific domain name or service is mentioned.
  • You don't see any personal information about you as a customer.
  • The sender often uses an unofficial email address.
  • The invoice looks official, but you didn't order anything.


Beware: If you do pay, it's often difficult to get your money back.

Our tips to stay safe

  • Never pay an invoice you don't recognize.
  • Always check with your own web hosting company whether the invoice is correct.
  • If in doubt, ask for help - we are happy to take a look at Hoogma Webdesign.


Even if you are not a customer of ours, you can always ask us to check a suspicious invoice.
It is better to ask once too much than to pay once too much!

Ask for help

Would you like to read more blog posts? Go to the page Blog.