Beware of the New Internet Scam: Spotting and Avoiding Fake Warning Emails

There’s a new scam on the internet and it works like this: you get an email warning from an alleged lawyer that you’ve downloaded something illegally from the internet and now have to pay a warning fee. The e-mail mentions, among other things, file numbers and copyright infringements. The whole thing looks very real and authentic. This isn’t an entirely new scam. But what is new is a professional implementation, for example without spelling mistakes and wrong salutations. What’s special: It’s not that unusual to get a real warning by email, explains lawyer Christian Solmecke. A warning is only a hint, which is given by post, e-mail or even verbally.

Recognize fake warnings

You have to look twice at the current wave of warnings because they are so well done, Solmecke explains. He himself also received such an email and found that it can hardly be distinguished from a real warning. That’s why he researched the colleague who is supposed to issue a warning, checked the website and then found that it was a fake. An important clue was that the allegations are very vague. So you don’t know exactly what you’re supposed to have done wrong.

Never give out personal information without permission

In such attacks, the scammers always want to make money in the end. Either with your data or they try to get you to transfer money. That is why the Federal Office for Security in information technology to pay attention to alarm signals:

• The text of the e-mail indicates an urgent need for action, for example: “If you don’t update your data immediately, they will be irretrievably lost…”.
• Threats are used: “If you don’t do this, unfortunately we will have to block your account…”.
• You will be asked to enter confidential data such as the PIN for your online banking access or a credit card number.
• The email contains links or forms.
• The e-mail appears to be from a well-known person or organization, but the sender’s request seems unusual to you.

Authors: Werner Baumann, David Müller