GoDaddy - Domain Registrar Abuse Reporting Guide

Last Updated: November 5, 2025
Provider Type: Domain Registrar
Response Time: 24-48 hours (typical)
Success Rate: High (85%+)

Overview

GoDaddy is one of the world's largest domain registrars. They take abuse complaints seriously and have a dedicated team for handling fraud reports. This guide will walk you through reporting a fraudulent domain registered through GoDaddy.

Prerequisites

Before reporting, gather the following information:

Fraudulent domain name (e.g., scam-site.com)
Your legitimate domain (e.g., legit-business.com)
Evidence of impersonation:
- Screenshots of the fraudulent site
- WHOIS data showing GoDaddy as registrar
- Examples of brand/trademark infringement
Your contact information (business email preferred)

Verification Steps

1. Confirm GoDaddy is the Registrar

Run a WHOIS lookup to verify:

whois fraudulent-domain.com

Look for:

Registrar: GoDaddy.com, LLC
Registrar WHOIS Server: whois.godaddy.com
Registrar URL: https://www.godaddy.com

If you see "GoDaddy" in the registrar field, proceed with this guide.

Reporting Methods

GoDaddy offers two primary methods for abuse reporting:

Method 1: Online Abuse Report Form (Recommended)

URL: https://supportcenter.godaddy.com/AbuseReport

Steps:

Navigate to the form using the URL above
Select report type: Choose "Phishing" or "Trademark Infringement"
Fill in required fields:
- Your Name: Full legal name
- Your Email: Business email address (@your-domain.com)
- Company Name: Your legitimate business name
- Fraudulent Domain: The scammer's domain (without http://)
- Your Domain/Trademark: Your legitimate domain or registered trademark
- Description: Clear, concise explanation (template below)
Upload evidence (max 5 files, 10MB each):
- Screenshot of fraudulent site
- Screenshot of your legitimate site
- WHOIS printout
- Trademark registration (if applicable)
Review and submit

Method 2: Email Abuse Team

Email: abuse@godaddy.com

Subject Line: Phishing/Trademark Abuse Report: [fraudulent-domain.com]

Email Template:

To: abuse@godaddy.com
Subject: Phishing/Trademark Abuse Report: scam-site.com

Dear GoDaddy Abuse Team,

I am writing to report a fraudulent domain registered through GoDaddy that is impersonating my business and deceiving customers.

FRAUDULENT DOMAIN INFORMATION:
Domain: scam-site.com
Registrar: GoDaddy.com, LLC (verified via WHOIS)
Current Status: Active and accessible

LEGITIMATE BUSINESS INFORMATION:
Business Name: [Your Company Name]
Legitimate Domain: legit-business.com
Contact Email: contact@legit-business.com
Relationship: Owner/Legal Representative

NATURE OF ABUSE:
The reported domain is impersonating our brand by:
- Using a confusingly similar domain name
- Copying our logo and website design
- Falsely claiming to represent our business
- Collecting customer information under false pretenses

EVIDENCE:
Attached you will find:
1. Screenshot of the fraudulent website
2. Screenshot of our legitimate website for comparison
3. WHOIS data confirming GoDaddy as registrar
4. [Optional] Trademark registration certificate

REQUEST:
We respectfully request that you suspend or terminate the fraudulent domain registration pursuant to GoDaddy's Terms of Service, specifically the sections prohibiting phishing, impersonation, and trademark infringement.

We are available to provide additional information or clarification as needed.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Company Name]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]

Attach:

Screenshots (JPG or PNG format)
WHOIS printout (TXT or PDF)
Any trademark documentation

What Happens Next

Timeline

Automated Acknowledgment: Within 1 hour (email confirmation)
Initial Review: 24-48 hours
Investigation Period: 2-7 business days
Resolution: Domain suspension or transfer/cancellation

Expected Communications

Acknowledgment Email: GoDaddy will send a case number (e.g., GD-12345678)
Follow-Up Requests: They may ask for additional evidence or clarification
Resolution Notice: You'll be notified when action is taken

Possible Outcomes

✅ Best Case: Domain suspended within 48 hours
⚠️ Common Case: Domain suspended within 7 days after investigation
❌ Rare Case: Insufficient evidence - request denied (you can appeal)

Tips for Success

Do's:

✅ Use your business email address (@your-domain.com)
✅ Provide clear, high-quality screenshots
✅ Include WHOIS data as evidence
✅ Be professional and factual in your description
✅ Reference specific GoDaddy Terms of Service sections
✅ Keep your case number for follow-up

Don'ts:

❌ Don't use personal email addresses (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo)
❌ Don't make threats or use aggressive language
❌ Don't exaggerate or make unverifiable claims
❌ Don't submit multiple duplicate reports (slows process)
❌ Don't include irrelevant information

Follow-Up Instructions

If you don't hear back within 48 hours:

Check your spam/junk folder for GoDaddy emails
Reply to the acknowledgment email with your case number
Call GoDaddy support: +1 (480) 505-8877 (mention "abuse case")

If your report is denied:

Request clarification on why it was denied
Gather additional evidence addressing their concerns
Resubmit with strengthened documentation
Consider legal action (cease & desist letter)

Legal Considerations

When to Involve Legal Counsel

Consider consulting an attorney if:

The fraudulent site is causing significant financial harm
GoDaddy denies your report despite clear evidence
The domain owner is engaging in additional illegal activities
You need to pursue damages or injunctive relief

Alternative Legal Actions

UDRP (Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy): For trademark holders
Cease & Desist Letter: Formal legal demand to domain owner
Court Order: Obtain injunction forcing domain suspension

Additional Resources

GoDaddy Abuse Policy: https://www.godaddy.com/legal/agreements/abuse-policy
GoDaddy Terms of Service: https://www.godaddy.com/legal/agreements/universal-terms-of-service-agreement
ICANN Complaint Process: https://www.icann.org/compliance/complaint
UDRP Information: https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/help/dndr/udrp-en

Common Questions

Q: How long does GoDaddy keep domains suspended?
A: Typically 30-60 days. After investigation, they may permanently cancel the registration.

Q: Will GoDaddy tell me who registered the domain?
A: No. Privacy laws prevent them from sharing customer information. You can see public WHOIS data if not privacy-protected.

Q: Can I request the domain be transferred to me?
A: Not through the abuse process. You would need to pursue legal action (UDRP or court order).

Q: What if the domain uses WHOIS privacy protection?
A: GoDaddy can still investigate. Privacy protection doesn't shield registrants from abuse complaints.

Q: Can I report multiple domains in one complaint?
A: Yes, but include complete evidence for each domain. Consider separate reports if evidence differs significantly.

Summary Checklist

Before submitting your report, confirm you have:

Verified GoDaddy is the registrar via WHOIS
Gathered all required evidence (screenshots, WHOIS data)
Prepared a clear, professional description of the abuse
Used your business email address
Chosen your reporting method (form or email)
Attached all evidence files
Reviewed submission for accuracy
Noted your case number after submission

Document Version: 1.0
Contributors: ScamSnitch.ai Research Team
License: Public Domain - Free to use and distribute

This guide is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult with an attorney for specific legal guidance.

GoDaddy

Quick Contact Information