Fake Subscription Renewal Scams – How It Works

There are many services to subscribe to these days. So much so that it can be hard to remember which ones are currently active, expired, or due for renewal. If you get a message out of the blue telling you one of your subscriptions has been automatically renewed, and you don’t remember subscribing or are sure you previously unsubscribed, you might feel compelled to click on the link provided and dispute it.

And that’s when the trouble begins. Fake subscription renewal alerts are a way for scammers to get hold of your personal and banking details. This article will better prepare you to understand how the scam works.

Scam Detectors Most Trusted Websites in Online Security

Guard.io (100): Protect your digital world on any device – Guardio stops scams and phishing in their tracks.
Incogni.com (100): Delete your personal data from the internet and protect against scams and identity theft.
ExpressVPN (100) Stay secure and anonymous online - Best VPN Out There

Anatomy of a Subscription Renewal Scam

A subscription renewal scam is a way for bad actors to infect your machine with spyware or malware, steal your personal information, or strongarm you into signing up for a subscription you don’t want or need. Let’s take a look at how this scam unfolds:

You receive an unsolicited message on your phone or email account telling you that a subscription of yours has been automatically renewed. This renewal amount can be quite large to get your attention.
The contact details or hyperlink are typically included front and center, so you’ll be sure to see it and click.
The scammer will play on your sense of urgency by telling you this transaction will be completed within the next 24 to 48 hours. Other time-pressure tactics might include a limited window in which to dispute the renewal.
You contact the scammers, and they pretend to be the company in question. They will either attempt to get you to give them your personal and banking details or require you to download additional software or products to supplement your subscription. These downloads may contain malware, ransomware, or spyware.
You might also be hit with the accidental transferal scam, where the scammer claims to have refunded money into your bank account, but accidentally deposited more than necessary. They’ll ask you to send back the extra amount, which will require you to provide your account information.

Spotting the Scam

While there’s no single indisputable way to identify a subscription renewal scam, there are certainly several indicators to be aware of:

You’ve never subscribed to the service in question.
It’s not time to renew the subscription, despite the notice.
The email comes from an address that doesn’t match official correspondence. Look out for Gmail or Hotmail accounts. Another tactic is to include extra numbers or letters with the company name (e.g., “Amazon123”).
If you have an app connected to the service, the renewal notice isn’t indicated there.
There are numerous spelling or grammatical errors in the email. Also, check for outdated or badly sized or pixelated company images that might indicate the logo has been clipped from somewhere else.
When calling the number provided or visiting the website, you’re required to provide personal banking information upfront before the problem is addressed.
The website you’re taken to when you click the link is different from that of the official company.
The “customer service representative” you reach asks you to install software on your PC or allow remote access.
The email uses time pressure or aggressive tactics to get you to pay immediately. Be skeptical of agents telling you there’s limited time to act.

Protecting Yourself

For a subscription renewal scam, the safest approach is to not interact with it at all. If you have any queries, contact the company through their official channels (phone, website), rather than the links and numbers in the email, to confirm any renewal or transaction. You should also report the fraudulent message to the company, so it can better protect others from the same scam.

If you have provided any important information, you must cancel any credit cards, change any passwords, and notify the necessary authorities to prevent further damage.

Verify Another website

Are you just about to make a purchase online? See if the website is legit with our validator:

vldtr^®