Phishing emails, by which scammers and identity thieves attempt to lure you into either clicking on links contained within the email which download malware or trick you into providing personal information that will be used to make you a victim of identity theft continue to be a major threat to everyone. They are a staple of identity thieves and scammers and with good reason because they work.
Reproduced below is a copy of an AT & T phishing email, sent to me by a Scamicide reader that uses the common ploy of indicating that there is a situation that requires your immediate attention. The version sent to the Scamicide reader contained an AT&T logo. There are a number of telltale flaws in this particular phishing email. The email address from which it was sent is not one used by AT&T. It also does not include the name of the person to whom the email was sent nor does it include an account number. However, as phishing emails go, this one is pretty good.
Here is the text of the phishing email. DO NOT CLICK ON ANY LINKS IN THIS EMAIL.
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TIPS
Obviously if you do not have an account with AT&T you know that this is a phishing scam, but even if you do have an account with AT&T, as I indicated above there are a number of indications that this is not a legitimate email from AT&T, but instead is a phishing email. Legitimate companies would refer to your specific account number in the email. They also would specifically direct the email to you by your name. This email had no salutation whatsoever.
As with all phishing emails, two things can happen if you click on the links provided. Either you will be sent to a legitimate looking, but phony webpage where you will be prompted to input personal information that will be used to make you a victim of identity theft or, even worse, merely by clicking on the link, you may download keystroke logging malware that will steal all of your personal information from your computer or smartphone and use it to make you a victim of identity theft. If you receive an email like this and think it may possibly be legitimate, merely contact AT&T customer service where you can confirm that it is a scam.
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