Use caution when opening and clicking on ANY links in an email!  It may be a phishing scam!

This email from “Microsoft” was received by a team member at J Street.  Thankfully, the person hovered on the links to see the TRUE identity and did not click on any of the links!

We also received an urgent call today from a client that had NOT checked the links in an email before clicking…  and their computer was compromised…

If you think that you have opened yourself (and all the data on your computer!) to a hacker, here are some quick steps to limit the damage:

1 – Immediately change your password to the “account” that was infected.

2 – Install and run a reputable anti virus/spyware software.  New Windows based machines come pre-installed with Windows Defender, and there are many other third-party anti-virus software applications on the market.

3 – Ensure that you Quarantine or delete any found infections, then reboot your computer and run the scan again.  This will help ensure that you have truly removed all viruses/spyware.

Heads up – scammers are getting more and more tricky!  One of our team received this email from “Microsoft”.

• Notice that the email address from “SupportMicrosoft-Team” is not actually a Microsoft email address.
• Notice that this official-looking email says that this user will stop receiving new emails within 24 hours if the account is not up graded.
• Notice that the UPGRADE NOW link (viewed when hovering on the link but NOT clicking on the link) links to a page that is NOT part of Microsoft’s domain.

As scammers become more and more clever, you should use diligence before clicking on any links – even if the email LOOKS legitimate!

1. ALWAYS review the email address that the email was sent FROM.  Don’t just ASSUME that the From NAME is legitimate.
2. ALWAYS use your “skeptical glasses” when text in an email says that your account will be terminated, suspended, or any other language that threatens that your account will be interrupted.
3. ALWAYS review links (by hovering over the hyperlink text to see the real hyperlink address) before clicking on said link.
4. REPORT fraudulent links to the appropriate parties:

• Contact the corporation.  Many large corporations have a team that work to hunt down these scammers.
• Forward the email to spam@uce.gov and reportphishing@apwg.org
• File a complaint at with the FTC at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-1