In last few days my inbox has been filling up with fraudulent emails claiming that there is an issue with one of the domain names that we manage. The reason I said filling up is because MarketingTilt manages over 100 domains for clients.
How They Get You To Act!
The scary part of the email is this “your domain name is being used for spamming and spreading malware”. It’s designed to get you to panic and click on the link without thinking. Once at the website and still panicking you are then encouraged to give further information.
This is where it can start getting very dangerous……
Knowing that such things are happening all the time time online I thought it best just to give us all a reminder not to become complacent.
Especially when they are using what looks to be credible emails with credible looking domain names to convince unsuspecting people that there is a problem. If I hadn’t been online for a long time and being a trusting person I would have definitely clicked on the link believing that the email had been sent to help me solve a very big problem
Here is the exact email that I received…
Dear Domain Owner,
Our system has detected that your domain: (Domain Removed For Privacy) is being used for spamming and spreading malware recently.
You can view the detailed abuse report of your domain along with date/time of incidents. Click Here
We have also provided detailed instruction on how to delist your domain from our blacklisting.
Please download the report immediately and take proper action within 24 hours otherwise your domain will be suspended permanently.
There is also possibility of legal action depend on severity and persistence of your abuse case.
Three Simple Steps:
1. Download your abuse report from Here: Click Here
2. Check your domain abuse incidents along with date and time.
3. Take few simple steps for prevention and to avoid domain suspension.Click Here to view your Report
Please look into it and contact us.
Best Regards,
Domain Abuse Admin
DomainCop Inc.
Tel.: (139) 756-26-91
Firstly to be transparent, I have removed the domain name from the above email as it’s a clients domain that is managed by MarketingTilt.
In the email that we received which I have posted above, you will see the three URL hyper-links all have “Click Here” inserted into the email message to show how obliging and helpful this email seems to be. They are so helpful they have even supplied you with a report to help you solve this huge problem.
The domain which is hyperlinked within the email is pointing to a site called domaincops[dot]net. If you search just for the domain name online, you will find results all speaking about the same thing and how this is a complete scam.
Our Advice
When receiving an email like this, firstly do not panic, this is what the scammer is hoping you do. Next, do not click on the hyperlinks embedded in the email message as you will be more than likely taken to a phishing site that is looking to get as much information about you and the domain registration as they.
Never click on any links in emails that you are not aware of, firstly do a search for the business or even paste the email subject into a web browser to see if anyone else is receiving emails like this.
Not Sure What Phishing Is?
Here are some resources you can use.
- Wikipedia Phishing
- Common Phishing Scams
- Phishing On Scam Watch
- Microsoft – How To Recognize Phishing Emails
Once the scammer does have that information its more likely than not that you will no longer have control of the domain name, which if this is your business domain then you will lose everything.
Watch Out For Phishing Phone Calls
From time to time you may even receive phone calls related to things like this, one prevalent one is that you have a virus on your computer and that a Microsoft technician is calling to help you fix the issue. What they are doing is getting you under the pretence of fixing your computer to install code that will give them access to your computer whenever they want.
Neither Microsoft nor any reputable businesses make unsolicited phone calls (also known as cold calls) to charge you for computer security or software fixes.
It’s in your best interests not to panic and rush into something that may hurt the business. If you click on the link and your computer is not sufficiently protect you may have malware embedded onto your computer, or you may unknowingly provide just enough information to allow the scammer to access more of your personal data.
Taking the time to assess and research what it is you have just received via email will save you countless hours in time and may even save you thousands of dollars in lost business.
