What Email Address and Phone Number are Associated with this Scam Invoice?

The phone numbers we have seen:

• (833) 633-8330
• 903-493-9025

The email addresses we have seen:

• wickmanomer741@gmail.com
• hftifjfurf@gmail.com

What are some telltale signs that an email is a scam?

Some clear red flags that an email is a scam include if it comes from a random Gmail or other free email address instead of an official company domain, if there are spelling/grammar errors, if it asks you to click a sketchy link or open an attachment, or if it threatens action if you don't respond quickly. Unexpected invoices, too-good-to-be-true offers, or urgent requests for personal information are also common scam email tactics to watch out for. Always use caution if an email seems off.

I received an email that looks like an invoice from McAfee. How can I tell if it's real or fake?

First off, do you even have any McAfee products installed? If no, just mark it as spam and go on about your day. But if you are an active McAfee customer then keep reading.

If you get an email that claims to be an invoice from McAfee, don't panic yet. Check if it's from an official @mcafee.com email address or just a random Gmail one, which is a red flag. Real McAfee invoices won't come out of the blue, threaten action, or have glaring errors. Log into your McAfee account online to view valid subscriptions. If the invoice doesn't match or still seems fishy, contact McAfee customer support directly to verify. Don't click links or call numbers in a suspicious email.

I got a "Payment Invoice" email that seems suspicious. What should I do?

Don't click any links or reply to the email. Go directly to the company's website and try to log into your account there to view any legitimate invoices or charges. If you can't find a matching charge, it's likely a scam. Report the email as spam so it goes to your junk folder. Never give personal/financial information in response to an unsolicited email

Why don't you report the scammers to Google when you get scam emails?

While reporting scammers seems like the right thing to do, it unfortunately doesn't help much in practice. Google just removes the single scam account, then the scammer easily creates a new Gmail address and continues scamming. The time it takes to fill out Google's abuse form simply isn't worth it when the scammers can just use another email account. I'd rather spend my time spreading awareness about common scam tactics than play an endless game of whack-a-mole with scammers' throwaway accounts.

Is calling the phone number in a suspicious email a good idea?

No, you should avoid calling phone numbers included in unsolicited emails at all costs, even if you're just "checking" or want to mess with them. This verifies to scammers that your email address and number are active, which puts your information at greater risk of being used in more scams or sold to other scammers. Your best bet is to ignore the email altogether.

What are some things I can do to protect myself and my parents from email scams?

Some good habits include being wary of opening attachments/links in unexpected emails, looking for sender email and grammar errors, validating questionable invoices directly through company sites, having strong separate passwords, using two-factor authentication when possible, installing antivirus software (I personally use Avast), and maintaining caution when being asked for personal or financial information over email. Also have conversations with elderly family members about identifying and avoiding common scam tactics.

Have the McAfee invoice scam emails changed or evolved over time? Do they look more real now?

Yes, the scammers have gotten more sophisticated, and the fake McAfee invoices in particular look much more convincing nowadays. They often come as PDF attachments that mimic real billing statements down to using the McAfee logo. But telltale signs like non-company email addresses and pushy urgent language still slip through. Stay vigilant, and validate any questionable charges directly with customer support, not through email links. Don't let your guard down just because an invoice looks slick!

What is Phishing?

Phishing is a type of online scam where criminals attempt to trick victims into giving out sensitive personal information such as passwords, credit card numbers, or other financial details. They do this by creating convincing looking emails, websites, or text messages that impersonate a trustworthy organization like a bank, tech company, or government agency. The scammers often use urgency, fear, or the promise of a benefit to manipulate victims into clicking malicious links or providing private details they can then use for identity theft and financial fraud.

For example, a phishing email might claim to be from the IRS stating you owe back taxes and must click a link to resolve it immediately. If you click, it takes you to a fake but realistic looking IRS site that asks to "verify" your SSN and bank account to process your payment. In reality, it's a scam to steal your financial information.

Another example is the subject of this blog post: the McAfee fake invoice that has been going around in an attempt to get people to call their phone number.

What is a Phishing Email?

A phishing email is a scam email used to try and trick the recipient into revealing sensitive information or installing malware. Phishing emails often appear to come from a legitimate organization and will create a false sense of urgency to get the victim to click a malicious link or attachment without thinking it through.

For example, a phishing email may look like it is coming from your bank asking you to verify your account details otherwise your account will be frozen. It will typically include official logos and formatting. The email will then provide a link to a fake site that mimics your bank's login page in order to steal your username and password when entered. Phishing emails may also install viruses or other malware when clicked. Always double check the sender email address and use caution with unsolicited messages.

What is an invoice scam and how does it work?

An invoice scam is a type of phishing attack where the scammer sends an email pretending to be an unpaid invoice from a company the victim likely has an account with. The email will look professional and legitimate on the surface, often using official branding and logos. The goal is to convince the recipient they owe money for a service and get them to provide payment info or other personal details.

For example, let's say I received one of those fake McAfee invoice emails we were discussing earlier. The email looks like it's really from McAfee, containing my supposed customer ID and saying my annual subscription of $310 is unpaid and will be automatically charged to my account soon. Of course, I don't actually have a McAfee account, but the email seems real at first glance.

If I fell for the scam and responded to the email with my payment details or called the number provided to "settle" the invoice, the attackers could steal my financial information or install malware on my device. That's how these invoice scams work - by impersonating real companies to deceive targets into willingly providing sensitive information or access. Being wary of unexpected invoices arriving over email and validating them directly with the company is key to avoiding this type of scam.

What are Fake McAfee Scam Emails?

Fake McAfee scam emails are phishing emails that pretend to come from the antivirus company McAfee in order to trick victims into providing sensitive information or installing malware.

For example, we talked about the fake "Payment Invoice" emails that I've received claiming to be from McAfee. The emails look legitimate at first glance, using the McAfee name and logo and providing made up customer IDs and billing details for an unpaid subscription fee. Some even come as PDF attachments to appear more real.

However, telltale signs they are scams include using non-McAfee email addresses or coming out of the blue from random addresses. Their urgent demands for payment or personal information are red flags too. The goal is to scare recipients into either calling the phone number provided or clicking links in the email that likely infect devices with viruses or steal login credentials and financial data.

These types of fake invoices and requests for information are common McAfee phishing scams. Being aware of these malicious emails and verifying any questionable charges directly through McAfee's official customer support channels instead of unsolicited emails is important for avoiding falling victim to them.

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