[members-discuss] IP transfer (in)security

Hello Dana,

> We have gone to a RIPE broker to obtain IPs that we badly need for upcoming customers. Never having been through this process before I am slightly timid because of the cost of IPs these days, and so the plan is to use escrow.
> So,  my question relates to how to avoid getting my employer to hand out a wad of cash without a clear means to be totally secure that they will be able to use the IPs.
> 
> Is it possible to obtain from RIPE a guaranteed way for the Escrow agent to check with 100% accuracy that the IP transfer has been accepted by RIPE, that we can begin announcing and using the prefix, and that my company is safe to release money to the seller of the IP addresses?

RIPE NCC can't guarantee the quality of escrow agents. The usual way to deal with this is to use an IPv4 prefix broker with a good reputation, who has successfully completed transactions with well-known organisations, and who therefore has lots of experience and a good reputation that they want to maintain.

I'm sure that if you wish there are many brokers on this list that can reply off-list to you. Ask for references, let them explain the safeguards they implement to make sure you are not misled and that money changes hands securely. Contact their references, Google their names etc.

Discussing the merits of companies isn't on-topic for this list, but I'm sure that there are also many people who can tell you about their experiences off-list if you ask :)

Cheers,
Sander

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