Ionos 1&1 Internet tried to scam me Philadelphia Pennsylvania

I have been a customer of Ionos, or 1&1 Internet since 2006, using them for my webhosting.

In 2010, I closed two websites and canceled those accounts with Ionos.  I no longer even own those domains.

Since that time, I have done other business with Ionos, currently hosting 5 different websites through their company.

The problem started last week when I purchased two additional domains.  For some reason, they were not showing up in my accounts.  When I contacted Ionos, they told me it could be up to 24 hours before they appear.  That wasn't in line with my previous experience, but I waited anway.

After 24 hours, they still were not registered.  I called once again (this was my 5th call).  This time the rep told me that I was being held up (both literally and figuratively) because of an outstanding invoice.  

I couldn't understand that since all of my accounts were current and not due for renewal until at least 5/2023.  I went through my records and invoices.  Everything was current and up to date.

Upon further investigation, it seems that they had an old invoice from an account that I closed 12 years ago.  I was astonished.

I pointed out their error, but they only doubled down, chosing instead an effort to extort money from me on an old closed account.

You would think that they would recognize the error of their ways, but instead chose to dig in their heels and told me that I had to pay it or risk losing the new domains.  I did my best to reason with them, but they refused to even look any further.

I do not deal with extortionists nor incompetents.  This sinks to the level of either gross stupidity or criminal intent.

I purchased the domains through another source and I will move all of my accounts and webhosting from this company.

I wanted to warn others to avoid them like the plague since this type of behavior is insane.