Your email address has not expired; it’s just another sneaky scam

It’s hard to ignore the rise of phishing scams these days. They seem to be popping up in our inboxes with alarming frequency. As we become more aware of this deceptive tacticsScammers are also becoming increasingly sophisticated and using increasingly sophisticated methods to lure unsuspecting victims.

A particularly cunning tactic is to impersonate a help desk or support team. You may receive an email claiming that your Microsoft 365 account is expiring today.

The goal? To create a sense of panic and urgency, forcing you to act quickly without thinking. So, how do you recognize these scams and protect yourself to become a victim? Let’s go down that path to keep you safe.

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How do you know if it is a scam email?

It’s easy to see why people fall prey to these types of tactics, as scammers are relatively successful at making these scam emails appear professional and legitimate. They even go so far as to change the email sender’s contact information to something legitimate, such as a real helpdesk, an IT department, or a company.

Upon closer examination of the email sender’s contact information, you can see that the domain address of the actual email address is different and random. For example, the name in the ‘From’ field of the email may be from the helpdesk, but if you click on the contact details to view the email address, it will have a domain of @magicpin.in, @gmail.com or @hotmail.cometc. If it is an email supposedly from Microsoft, you would expect the domain to be microsoft.com.

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How are victims exploited by these types of scams?

Receiving a “fake” email may seem relatively harmless, but it can be a slippery slope to identity theft and fraud. Below are ways scammers take advantage of their victims with these phishing emails:

1. Email Validation: By opening the email or interacting with the email (by clicking or responding to a link), you can validate that the email account they messaged to is active. Often, scammers randomly email people whose email addresses they obtained through data breaches, the dark web, or data mining.

2. Information collection: If you reply to the email or use other contact information they provide to “recover” your account, this validates that the email address they contacted is active, and they will likely give you a hard sell for financial and personal information. If you call a phone number they provide to you, they will also associate your phone number with your email address so that they can continue to update their information about you.

3. Malware distribution: There are often buttons, links or attachments included in the email. Clicking on the attachment may download malware or a virus to your device. If you click on a link in the email, you may be taken to a website that collects your personal and financial information or downloads malware or viruses to your device.

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What should you do if you receive these types of phishing emails?

There are a few simple steps you can take if you receive an email that you suspect is phishing.

1. Don’t click on links or buttons or download or open attachments: This helps prevent the installation of malware and protects your personal information. The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that install malware and potentially gain access to your private data is to install antivirus software on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware attacks, keeping your personal data and digital assets safe. Discover my picks for the best antivirus protection winners of 2024 for your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.

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2. Do not respond or contact these scammers via email or phone: Contacting them can confirm that your email address is active, which can lead to more scams.

3. If your email client allows it, you can block the sender and report it as a phishing email: This action helps you protect yourself and others by alerting your email provider to malicious activity.

4. Check the legitimacy of the email by checking the organization’s official website: By accessing your account directly, you will receive accurate information without falling for false alerts.

5. If two-factor authentication is offered for your account, enable it: 2FA adds an extra layer of security, making it harder for scammers to gain access, even if they have your password.

6. Invest in personal data deletion services: By reducing your digital footprint, you minimize the risk of identity theft and scams based on collected data. While no service promises to delete all of your data from the Internet, having a deletion service is great if you want to continually monitor and automate the process of continuously deleting your information from hundreds of sites over an extended period of time. See my top picks for data deletion services here.

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Kurt’s most important insights

Phishing scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, but if you stay informed and vigilant you can significantly reduce your risk. By adopting good digital habits and following the tips we’ve shared, you can navigate the online world with confidence. Remember, awareness is your best defense, so continue to share this knowledge with friends and family to protect everyone from these deceptive tactics.

What’s the most unusual or clever phishing attempt you’ve encountered, and how did you recognize it as a scam? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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