Domain theft is always unexpected and very frustrating. When you try to log in to your domain and you need some work done, but you simply can’t access your domain. At all. Your first thought may be to check your e-mail and see if your domain maybe was transferred to another registrar, although you didn’t initiate any transfers. But there is not notice in your mailbox, and you are starting to feel confused and lost.
Don’t worry, it won’t be like this forever. You can actually turn the situation around and get your domain name back. The first thing you will need to do is change all your passwords. It may seem useless to you as your domain was already stolen, but you wouldn’t want the thief to steal it from you again and mess with your files and all domain configurations. You would want them to never ever have access to your belongings again. And although it won’t fix your problem, for now, it will stop the thief from getting to anything else in your email account, or transferring any more of your domains.
After you changed your passwords, contact your registrar. Let them know that your domain name was stolen as soon as possible. Sometimes they won’t be able to help you much, but some registrars have a special policy for cases like this, and they can set you on your way of getting your domain back. In any case, it is worth a try. You also want to tell the registrar about the situation quickly as proof of you acting promptly and taking initiative in getting the domain back. Some registrars will even be willing to file a complaint against the registrar to which the stolen domain was transferred which can also help you with getting the domain back.
If your registrar will not be of much use, there are further steps that you can take. Usually, the UDRP process can’t be used for those situations, however recently a UDRP was filed and achieved the return of the domain name. That case was a classic domain theft. The complainant presented all the needed evidence and the respondent didn’t reply. With this case in mind, you can try to do the same thing and you maybe will have a chance of returning your domain back. The UDRP process is also at least half cheaper than going to the court (which would be your very last option if you have the meanings to do that). Moreover, if you win the UDRP, your domain will be transferred back to your account within 10 days, unless the opposing side files in a court in a mutually accepted jurisdiction.
Remember, that you can always secure your account in many ways, and if nothing else works out for you, there is always the court system that you can use to get your domain back.
