Scam emails

[Rainger99]

In the last week, I have received three scam emails. They have all been in French and they asked me to click on a link in the body of the email. I don't speak French so I would have no idea what they meant if I didn't have Google translate.

One was for Paypal, one was for a traffic ticket (I haven't driven in France in 20 plus years), and one was telling me that my credit card was being deactivated.

I did not click on any of the links!!!!

When I was working, my company would send out a couple of fake phishing emails a month to all of the employees to see if we would click on it. I did it once and I got a call from IT telling me not to do that. Since then, I don't click on any links in emails. If I am unsure, I call the company and verify that it is legitimate.

Has anyone else gotten any scam emails in French?

Does anyone know what happens if someone clicks on the link?

[Stu from NYC]

In the last week, I have received three scam emails. They have all been in French and they asked me to click on a link in the body of the email. I don't speak French so I would have no idea what they meant if I didn't have Google translate.

One was for Paypal, one was for a traffic ticket (I haven't driven in France in 20 plus years), and one was telling me that my credit card was being deactivated.

I did not click on any of the links!!!!

When I was working, my company would send out a couple of fake phishing emails a month to all of the employees to see if we would click on it. I did it once and I got a call from IT telling me not to do that. Since then, I don't click on any links in emails. If I am unsure, I call the company and verify that it is legitimate.

Has anyone else gotten any scam emails in French?

Does anyone know what happens if someone clicks on the link?

Nothing good.

[retiredguy123]

And yet, some financial companies, Government offices, banks, and other large reputable companies continue to send emails asking people to click on a link. Go figure.

[villagetinker]

Years ago I was hired as a consultant for a large company, 2 weeks in I got what appeared to be an email for employee training, I made the big mistake of clicking the link, which was followed in minutes by a visit from my supervisor. Lesson learned!! This was a test that was done periodically at this company to enhance security, seemed to work well.

[CarlR33]

I am still trying to figure out why my tolls are in delinquency, LOL

[Rainger99]

Years ago I was hired as a consultant for a large company, 2 weeks in I got what appeared to be an email for employee training, I made the big mistake of clicking the link, which was followed in minutes by a visit from my supervisor. Lesson learned!! This was a test that was done periodically at this company to enhance security, seemed to work well.

After it happened to me, I started ignoring legitimate emails. If I got anything that looked possibly suspicious, I would call tech support to confirm whether it was fake or legitimate. I don't know how much time I wasted verifying emails but it was fairly time consuming.

But I have never clicked on a link in an email on my personal computer if I thought it might be suspicious.

[Altavia]

With AI, it's getting harder and will only get worse.

Using an App/program like Spamdrain can help get your junk/spam/phishing email under control for less than a dollar a day.

The Nr 1 Spam filter for iPhone (https://spamdrain.com/en/nr-1-spam-filter-iphone.html)

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I get e-mails all the time telling me my Netflix account is being suspended due to lack of payment.

I've never even had to check to see if it was legit or not. They send it to an e-mail address other than the one I signed up for Netflix with.

I also get texts telling me I owe for tolls. My sunpass auto-replenishes, so again - no need to even check on it.

I have multiple e-mail addresses for different purposes. I never get spam or scams on four of them, because I've never signed up for anything on those four. Another one is the one I use for all my loyalty cards. I *expect* spam and scam e-mails on that one, but that makes it easy to filter out and "select all" and delete.

Any e-mail in my other accounts with the word "hard" or the phrase "your woman" in the subject line - automatically gets filtered into my spam box. I get a lot of special offers for canadian viagra.

[jimkerr]

In the last week, I have received three scam emails. They have all been in French and they asked me to click on a link in the body of the email. I don't speak French so I would have no idea what they meant if I didn't have Google translate.

One was for Paypal, one was for a traffic ticket (I haven't driven in France in 20 plus years), and one was telling me that my credit card was being deactivated.

I did not click on any of the links!!!!

When I was working, my company would send out a couple of fake phishing emails a month to all of the employees to see if we would click on it. I did it once and I got a call from IT telling me not to do that. Since then, I don't click on any links in emails. If I am unsure, I call the company and verify that it is legitimate.

Has anyone else gotten any scam emails in French?

Does anyone know what happens if someone clicks on the link?

Just delete them and move on.

[Rainger99]

I get e-mails all the time telling me my Netflix account is being suspended due to lack of payment.

I've never even had to check to see if it was legit or not. They send it to an e-mail address other than the one I signed up for Netflix with.

I also get texts telling me I owe for tolls. My sunpass auto-replenishes, so again - no need to even check on it.

I have multiple e-mail addresses for different purposes. I never get spam or scams on four of them, because I've never signed up for anything on those four. Another one is the one I use for all my loyalty cards. I *expect* spam and scam e-mails on that one, but that makes it easy to filter out and "select all" and delete.

Any e-mail in my other accounts with the word "hard" or the phrase "your woman" in the subject line - automatically gets filtered into my spam box. I get a lot of special offers for canadian viagra.

Having multiple email accounts is a good idea. At this point, it would be a hassle to do it.

[Arctic Fox]

Using an App/program like Spamdrain can help get your junk/spam/phishing email under control for less than a dollar a day.

The Nr 1 Spam filter for iPhone (https://spamdrain.com/en/nr-1-spam-filter-iphone.html)

Do you really expect me to click on your link, having read the earlier posts :-)

[Rocksnap]

I don’t know what y’all are talking about. I just clicked on a link and won an all expenses paid trip to Botswana.

[oneclickplus]

In the last week, I have received three scam emails. They have all been in French and they asked me to click on a link in the body of the email. I don't speak French so I would have no idea what they meant if I didn't have Google translate.

One was for Paypal, one was for a traffic ticket (I haven't driven in France in 20 plus years), and one was telling me that my credit card was being deactivated.

I did not click on any of the links!!!!

When I was working, my company would send out a couple of fake phishing emails a month to all of the employees to see if we would click on it. I did it once and I got a call from IT telling me not to do that. Since then, I don't click on any links in emails. If I am unsure, I call the company and verify that it is legitimate.

Has anyone else gotten any scam emails in French?

Does anyone know what happens if someone clicks on the link?

I'm learning to speak French so I can better understand these poor, underprivileged scammers who are nothing more than digital panhandlers. I really feel sorry for them.
/sarcasm

[chuckpedrey]

I get scam text messages. Florida Turnpike Authority saying I have unpaid balance and notes that look like an old friend is trying to reach me. I also get emails thanking me for my order of some annual subscription.

[Paula]

When I receive an email that looks strange but appears to be from a real friend, I forward it to my friend and ask if it's legitimate. Often the sender's email address isn't the same as the friend's real address so I do check that first. And of course, never click on anything in any of these emails.

[airstreamingypsy]

I never would have met my Nigerian prince if I hadn't clicked a link. I just sent him money to come for a visit, we are so in love, it's going to be magical. I can't wait, I'm so excited.

[Cuervo]

These scams are not going to disappear a matter of fact they will increase because it is profitable. Even though it is illegal and not a nice way to earn money I can see the motivation behind it. Who has the money to figure a system to stop this are large companies from Visa, Xfinity, even Express Pass. Put a mass advertising campaign in place, add checks to stop some scammers using these company's logos. Something they're the ones that can at least slow this down.

[SoCalGal]

. In the last week, I have received three scam emails.

Only three?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Having multiple email accounts is a good idea. At this point, it would be a hassle to do it.

It really is a boon. My "main" e-mail is for immediate family, my doctors, my tax returns, and other "legal" things EXCEPT class-action suits I've joined up for.

Another one is for those rewards and loyalty things at stores - AND the class action lawsuits (like, I got $50 worth of store credit from Skechers back when they settled on the rocker sneakers that advertised it'd help people tone up and lose weight, and I might get around $20 from Facebook some day if they stop appealing it).

Another one is strictly for a volunteer group I'm in, and it contains all the other members of the group so I can send group e-mail news bulletins.

Another is strictly for a political thing.

A few are for different games I play - I made a separate e-mail for each game, because each game has its own unique account and account name.

One was exclusively for work-related communications, back when I used to work. My ADP notifications for paychecks, e-mails from the boss, human resources stuff, work-provided health insurance, etc. That one is dormant but I can still access it if I need to.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

When I receive an email that looks strange but appears to be from a real friend, I forward it to my friend and ask if it's legitimate. Often the sender's email address isn't the same as the friend's real address so I do check that first. And of course, never click on anything in any of these emails.

If you forward it to your friend, and your friend clicks on any link in it, then you will have given your friend the virus that you were suspicious of. This is how three of my family members ended up with ransomware. My own friends and family know that I will never open any forwarded e-mail that I wasn't expecting (as in - I asked them to forward it, or they spoke with me and informed me they would forward it).

Instead of forwarding it, just call them and ask them.

[retiredguy123]

I just received an email from the Social Security Administration with several links to click on. How do they expect people to stop clicking on email links when even the Federal Government sends out emails asking people to click on a link? I think this is a legitimate email, but I have no way to know for sure.

[Bill14564]

I just received an email from the Social Security Administration with several links to click on. How do they expect people to stop clicking on email links when even the Federal Government sends out emails asking people to click on a link? I think this is a legitimate email, but I have no way to know for sure.

What email address is it from? What is the URL of the links? Why not skip the links and go directly to the SSA website?

[retiredguy123]

What email address is it from? What is the URL of the links? Why not skip the links and go directly to the SSA website?
It says it is from "subscription.service@subscriptions.ssa.gov". I never click on email links, but many people do because the email senders include them in the email message. My point is that, if this could be a scam, legitimate senders, especially from the Government, should not include links in their email messages. Rather, they should tell you to log in to your account at ssa.gov.

[Rainger99]

It says it is from "subscription.service@subscriptions.ssa.gov". I never click on email links, but many people do because the email senders include them in the email message. My point is that, if this could be a scam, legitimate senders, especially from the Government, should not include links in their email messages. Rather, they should tell you to log in to your account at ssa.gov.

This is from the SS website!!

How can I detect a phishing email pretending to be Social Security?

Most emails from Social Security will come from a “.gov" email address. If an email address does not end in “.gov”, use caution before opening attachments or clicking on pictures or links in the email. Currently, Social Security sends emails from no-reply@ssa.gov, subscription.service@subscriptions.ssa.gov, Thank.You@ssa.gov, DoNotReply@ssa.gov, and echosign.com.

In a few instances, we use marketing firms to raise awareness of Social Security’s online services, and this includes creating a my Social Security account. We allow these firms to send email directly to individuals. Any links you find within these emails should always point to a “.gov/” web address.

Access Denied (https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/security.html)

[retiredguy123]

This is from the SS website!!

How can I detect a phishing email pretending to be Social Security?

Most emails from Social Security will come from a “.gov" email address. If an email address does not end in “.gov”, use caution before opening attachments or clicking on pictures or links in the email. Currently, Social Security sends emails from no-reply@ssa.gov, subscription.service@subscriptions.ssa.gov, Thank.You@ssa.gov, DoNotReply@ssa.gov, and echosign.com.

In a few instances, we use marketing firms to raise awareness of Social Security’s online services, and this includes creating a my Social Security account. We allow these firms to send email directly to individuals. Any links you find within these emails should always point to a “.gov/” web address.

Access Denied (https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/security.html)
Your last sentence is not true. One of the links on the email I received from ssa was to facebook, which is a com address, not gov.

Also, I know that phone numbers can be spoofed, but I don't know if email addresses can also be spoofed.

The Government is hypocritical. Some agencies are warning people to never click on an email link, but other agencies are sending emails that actually encourage people to click on their links.

[Rainger99]

Your last sentence is not true. One of the links on the email I received from ssa was to facebook, which is a com address, not gov.

Just to clarify, that wasn’t my sentence. It was taken directly from the Social Security website.

And I agree that they shouldn’t have a link. They should tell you to sign into the SS website for a message.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I just received an email from the Social Security Administration with several links to click on. How do they expect people to stop clicking on email links when even the Federal Government sends out emails asking people to click on a link? I think this is a legitimate email, but I have no way to know for sure.

Sure you have a way to be sure. Go to your social security account on the ssa.gov website, and look for your "messages" or "notifications."

[retiredguy123]

Sure you have a way to be sure. Go to your social security account on the ssa.gov website, and look for your "messages" or "notifications."
My point is that, If that is the safe way to go, then why does the SSA include a link in the email to log in to your account? That just encourages scammers to create a fake SSA email with a fake log in link. If the SSA includes a link, many people will use it.

[Bill14564]

My point is that, If that is the safe way to go, then why does the SSA include a link in the email to log in to your account? That just encourages scammers to create a fake SSA email with a fake log in link. If the SSA includes a link, many people will use it.

Pretty much a no-win situation for them. If they include a link then someone complains about safety but if they don’t include a link someone else complains about making things difficult. A nice solution I’ve seen is to include a link but also provide the URL to the main page and directions for navigating to the information.