Watch Out for Urgent Email Scams

Scammers are always searching for ways to prompt impulsive decisions. They often use scare tactics to make you react without thinking. In this week's scam, cybercriminals send an email filled with urgent language designed to grab your attention instantly. The email appears to be a payment invoice and includes an Excel attachment. It warns that the attached forms need to be processed "as soon as possible" and that there will be "penalties" for any delays in payment.

If you open the attached Excel file, a pop-up window will appear instructing you to "Enable Editing" by clicking a button. Clicking this button initiates the installation of malware on your computer. This malware is particularly sophisticated. Once installed, it can steal user credentials and other personal information while evading detection by your antivirus software. Removing this malware from your computer is extremely challenging once it is installed.

To avoid falling victim to a malware phishing scam, follow these tips:

• Be wary of emails that create a sense of urgency or fear. Scammers often use phrases like "as soon as possible," "penalties," and other alarming language.
• Never select "Enable Editing" or "Enable Content" on attachments from untrusted or unexpected sources. These options are commonly used to install malware.
• Verify the legitimacy of any invoice or payment request by contacting the company directly using known contact information.