In honor of my Caught Dead in Wyoming mystery series, my assistant Gabriella Samuels is writing for my newsletter and blog a series of consumer tips inspired by TV reporter Elizabeth Margaret Danniher.
Many of us subscribe to streaming platforms such as Netflix and Apple TV, or retailers like Walmart, Sam’s Club, or Costco. Subscriptions are everywhere. But with every subscription comes the annual subscription renewal email. You may even use renewal reminder emails to track payment schedules because of the sheer volume of subscriptions. Scammers are using these emails for phishing scams.
The fake subscription renewal email is one of the newer phishing scams. A scammer will pretend to be a legitimate company and claim that your credit card information declined or claim you were charged a larger fee than normal. The email might look legitimate but have fake reference numbers or domains. In the email, they will also provide a link to a fake website for renewal and a fake phone number to call. Clicking the link might install malware on your laptop, leading to the theft of personal data. Entering any account details for the subscription service could result in your account being hacked.
To avoid this situation, here are some ways to stay safe are:
- Double check the email address to make sure it is legitimate. Look for misspelled domains or domains that do not match the company’s.
- Double check the subject line for similar misspellings.
- These emails will look official, but remember to never click on any link or call any number. Go to the company’s website directly to contact customer service.
- Go directly to the company’s website and check your account information and subscription details from there.
- Never give personal information or passwords in an email or over the phone.
- Watch out for urgent language such as “you must pay in 24 hours” or “your account will be deleted today.” Scammers want you to act before thinking.
If you do receive one of these emails and you know it is fake, simply delete the email and empty your trash. If you have fallen victim to this scam, report it to the BBB Scam Tracker and the Federal Trade Commission.
Be aware of your subscriptions and be careful.