Traffic Tickets, FedEx and UPS Messages

The bad guys are trying hard to capture your personal information, be it email addresses and passwords, phone numbers, addresses and banking information.

Some of their messages contain requests for you to reply directly or go to a website to enter personal data.  Others contain attachments that may contain harmful material.

Others, like the one shown here, direct you to a website that, if your computer does not have adequate security software, will attempt to install malware.  In many cases this malware will log your keyboard activity and steal your login credentials.

While the message shown below has an "adams.net" sender address, the reply address was for an account on another ISP and was sent from their apparently infected computer.

No, Adams did not send this traffic ticket message.

Google recognizes that the link in the message directs you to a site that contains malware. 

Remember, any unsolicited email that you receive should be treated as potentially harmful.  

If ever in doubt do not open any attachments or click on any links. 

If you have questions about the validity of a message please email us at  tech@adams.net  and check here frequently for advisories.

BBB Scam

Here's a scam that tries to exploit the good name of the Better Business Bureau.

The link leads the recipient to a potentially harmful site.

Always treat unsolicited messages carefully and don't click on links that you can't verify are legitimate.

Beware of Billing Summary Attachments

Below is an example of a spam that purportedly came from a utility with a file attached that was labeled as a "Billing Summary".

The first indication that this was not valid was that it is unlikely that many users with an Adams email account would have a utility bill from conEdison (New York City).  The second is that the message was addressed to multiple users.

The file attached was compressed (zip format) and contained an executable file, a modified version of the "army.exe" rootkit that would enable your system to be taken over remotely.

As always you should treat all email attachments as potentially harmful, especially those where the source is not clearly understood and verified. 

New Phishing Emails

We are seeing a new bunch of rather clever phishing messages, such as the one seen below, that take information available from our website to make the message appear to be authentic, even including references to calling our tech support number.

As always, you should NEVER reply to any message that asks you for your account login and password.  We have no need to have you send us this information.

When you receive messages that make such requests do not reply but delete them.

-----Original Message-----
From: [apache@mercury.pop.co.za] On Behalf Of Tech Support
Sent: Friday, December 30, 2011 8:41 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients
Subject: Adams.Net Customer Center Email Support Warning!!

Attention: Adams.Net Webmail User,

Important notice reaching us states that hackers are trying to hack  
into our Webmails so that they can gain access to it and use it for  
spam activities.

Therefore; Adams.Net ICT Support Centre is currently working to  
improve on the security of all Adams.Net Webmail Users as we  
periodically review certain accounts that are vulnerable to  
Unauthorized Access. We have noticed some unusual invalid login  
attempts into your Email Account. Therefore your email has been  
suspended and may experience inability to send and receive new mail.

To remove this limitation and initiate your Account Update process,  
please fill the Technical Support Form correctly and reply to this  
mail immediately. Complete the form below;

Email:.........................
Username:.........................
Password:.........................
Confirm Password:.........................

Email can also be accessed using IMAP at imap.adams.net

Email Quotas:

Mailbox Size: 1000M or 5000 messages
Message Size: 40M (incoming or outgoing)

WARNING: Ignoring this mail means your Adams.Net Webmail Account is at  
risk and will be certainly shut down.

If you suspect your email password has been compromised call us  
immediately to have it changed.
Our Help Desk is available 24 hours  at 1-877-502-3267.  You will be  
required to verfify your identity.

Thank you for co-operation
Adams.NET  ICT representative.

WebMail Phishing Scam

Please be aware of a new, clever phishing scam designed to fool users into supplying their email credentials to others.

An email, similar to the one shown below, has been circulating that encourages people to submit this data via a form that is designed to look like a Webmail login.

Example of such a WebMail phishing message.

From: System Administrator [mailto:Info@adams.net] 
Sent: Friday, December 16, 2011 3:07 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: System Administrator

Congratulations! You can now access news forum to Get the latest updates on Your Web Mail!.

use the link below to submit your details to get more information.
 
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEdmNjR

Copyright © 2005 Adams Internet Services, Inc.® All rights reserved.

Clicking on the link brings up a phony WebMail login page like the one shown here, designed only to steal your login credentails.

---

The best way to access Adams WebMail is directly from our site at www.adams.net. 

Do not attempt to do so from any unsolicited email you receive.

Protect Your EMail Password

Below is an example of yet another phishing email seeking to obtain user email login info.


Adams will NEVER send you an email asking you to email us your password.  While we can't view your password we can (and we will if we see that it is being used fraudulently) change it securely.

If you ever receive an email asking you to reply with your email address and password simply delete it.  Do not respond. 

If you think that your password might not be secure please call our Help Desk at 1-877-502-3267 to have it changed to a more secure one.   Some ideas on creating a secure password can be seen in our November 23 blog entry.

---

Date: Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:38:57 +0000
From: Webmail Online Support <admin@webmail.org>
To:
Subject: Email Account upgrade 
 
Dear Email Users,

We have detected an unusual activity on your email account as it was tried to be accessed from an unknown Ip address. As a result, vital maintenance will be conducted on our Email servers.

To confirm and to keep your Email account active, a confirmation for ownership must be provided. Outline the information's below. Failure to do this might cause a permanent deactivation of your Email/Webmail account from our servers.

Email Address:
Password:

Your account shall remain active after you have successfully confirmed your above requested information. We apologize for any inconveniences caused as a
result of this notification. We thank you for your prompt attention to this notification.

Email Technical Support

Copyright 2011 Email. All Rights Reserved

Mystery Shopper Phishing

Below is an example of a new phishing scam that has recently appeared.   While the company is legitimate the income opportunity is not. 

What is especially telling about this message is that the reply address is for a "blumail.org" email address.    BluMail is a free web-based email service.  It is unlikely that a legitimate offer would come unsolicited, much less with replies sent to an email address that could have been created by anyone. 

Don't fall for these schemes designed to collect personal information that could be used for identity theft.


Shop'n Chek, Inc.


REF: SSI92416

Kindly take your time to read about the Job Details.

Shop'n Chek, Inc. takes a closer look at company's service quality and quality control efforts. We provide them with the information needed to improve customer service; improved customer service will have a direct impact

on their bottom line of business. Whether it is service audits, competitor surveys, comment cards or Mystery Shopping, we have utilized programs that have proven successful.

We are currently recruiting Mystery Shoppers in your area and this is a great
Opportunity for you to show your ability and skills in performing this wonderful and rewarding Mystery Shopping Experience.

Secret Shoppers: TAKE A CLOSER LOOK at your operations. Do you know if...

1. Proper procedures are followed at all locations?
2. Store appearances are kept up?
3. Employees are making customer service a top priority?
4. All sales opportunities are turned into actual sales?

These and many other questions can be answered by our Mystery Shoppers.
What is a Mystery Shopper?

A person who comes to your location and does what any normal customer would do. The only difference is that after he leaves he completes a questionnaire telling you everything he experienced on his visit.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Our shoppers visit business locations as directed and conduct a normal customer inquiry and/or transaction. The shoppers then complete a questionnaire which covers all aspects of their visit and send them to us for an

accuracy review.

WHY DO WE OFFER THESE SERVICES FOR COMPANIES?

To boost sales
To reward exemplary employees
To identify areas where more training is required
To discover problems BEFORE they hurt your sales
To measure effectiveness of training and managers
To discourage employee theft and loss due to errors
HOW MUCH DO YOU EARN?

Each program is unique and requires a specific price proposal. Your commission
Ranges from $175.00-$200 or more for each assignment depending on the business location evaluated.

If you are interested and willing to start off as soon as possible, Kindly Fill out the application form below and we will get back to you shortly with the assignment

First Name:
Last Name:
Street Address:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Cell Phone:
Home Phone:
Age:
Current Occupation:
Email Address

Shop'n Chek, Inc.
6025 The Corners Parkway,
Suite 200
Norcross, GA 30092. USA.
Reply...kepool881@blumail.org
Regards,
Evaluation®