Google, Yahoo!, Beware Account Phishing Scams

Writing by Nick Stamoulis Tweet

A post on SE Round Table on Google Adwords Phishing Scams is quite timely; more so as I received a similar one for Yahoo! Search Marketing in the morning batch of emails.

I don’t know how many people fall for these phishing emails, I guess if they catch one or two out it makes it worth their time. There will always be one simple solution in response to any email that you have doubts about – don’t follow the link in the email, log into your account in the normal fashion. If there is a problem you should be able to confirm it from your account pages.

Emails such as the following should always be regarded with suspicion. Generally speaking, when organizations like Google and Yahoo send you an email, your name, business name or account identification should be visible.

You will notice this email has no information to identify it is for me. The link goes to yms-market11.com – obviously not a Yahoo! link. Besides – I am not currently advertising through Yahoo! Beware though, some smart operators actually place a real link as the anchor with the phishing link behind it. Simply holding your mouse cursor over the link will reveal its real destination in bottom toolbar.

Simple rule for doubtful emails, don’t follow the links – inquire from the supposed sender by going directly to their site using your own bookmarked links.