I was reading my email this morning when I saw a note from the domain name registrar saying that they were unable to process a renewal for two of my domains. The reason, it turned out, was because the credit card information they had on file for those domains was outdated. I had never remembered to update it with current information.

Since I haven't changed my email address since I first registered those domains, fixing the problem (and making sure I retain the domain names) was as simple as updating credit card information once I read the registrar's email.

But what about people who change their email address after registering their domain(s)? If the domain name registrar doesn't send out a letter through the post office alerting the owner to the problem, or if they do, and the owner thinks the letter is an ad and doesn't open it, their domain name registration could expire and be scooped up by someone else - perhaps a competitor.

What should you do to protect your domain names? Here are some suggestions:
1 - Double check with the domain registrar you use and make sure your credit card and email address are up-to-date.
2- Make a list of all your domains, where they are registered, and when they expire.
3 - Update your account information at each registrar you use each time you change your email address or update or change your credit card information.
4 - If you have one or more domains you actively use or plan to use, consider renewing them for several years, instead of just one year.