Beware of fake invoices: don't just pay!
Beware of fake invoices: don't just pay!
Written by:
Leo Hoogma, 30 October 2025
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!
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