Have you received an email from Mcafee informing you that your subscription is about to expire; It could be a scam.
You may also have received an email informing you that a certain amount will be deducted from your bank account today or claims that the transaction has already taken place with instructions for you to call a number to cancel it. It’s a scam, and the McAfee subscription hasn’t deducted or will deduct any money from your account. So, how does this scheme work? What can you do to avoid becoming a victim? And what should you do if you fall victim to a scammer’s trap?
The trap
One of our editors received an email from McAfee claiming his subscription ended and to renew immediately. He was also warned about being exposed to viruses and malware. A solution was offered, of course, in the form of a discounted subscription:
This looks pretty believable with the realistic McAfee logo.
Clicking on the renew button leads to a convincing-looking website he was asked to enter personal and financial information to sign up for antivirus protection.
This is a scam. You may spot it easily if you are not subscribed to McAfee, however, with so many people moving from PC to laptops there may still be paying for subscriptions they are not using and can easily fall into this trap.
Manage your subscriptions from one app.
Say goodbye to forgotten missed trials, missed payments and unwanted charges.
Manage your subscriptions from one app.
Say goodbye to forgotten missed trials, missed payments and unwanted charges.
How to Avoid Subscription Scam?
Any pop-up should be avoided, especially if it contains ominous warnings. If you believe there is an issue, it is preferable to ignore them and get in touch with the business directly.
Tips on how to stay safe
- Check if you are subscribed to McAfee- It is can be difficult with your everyday banking. Using services like ScribePay can give instant visibility of all subscriptions.
- Protect your information – Never give personal information to anyone you don’t recognise or whose identity you can’t confirm. To con you, thieves only need your name, phone number, and email address.
- Use 3D security- Use two factor authentication whenever possible for improved security. Click or tap here for more information on 3D secure payments.
- Urgency can be a red flag- Any communication that urges you to “act now!” or that makes you feel hurried.
