Beware of Spoof Emails: Protect Yourself from Fake "Kimbrough Law" Messages
In today's digital age, it's crucial to remain vigilant against cyber threats, including phishing and spoofing attacks. Recently, a few clients have informed us that they have received spoof emails that falsely claim to be from Kimbrough Law. These emails ask recipients to sign documents. These emails are a scam designed to trick you into clicking malicious links or providing sensitive information. Understanding how to identify these fraudulent messages and knowing what to do if you receive one can help protect your personal information and financial security.
Understanding Spoof Emails
Spoof emails are deceptive messages that appear to come from a trusted source, but are actually sent by scammers. These cybercriminals manipulate the "From" address to make it look like the email is coming from a legitimate entity, such as Kimbrough Law. However, a closer inspection of the email address often reveals subtle inconsistencies or typos that indicate the message is not authentic.
Example of a Spoof Email
The image below is a spoof email received by a Kimbrough Law owner Hailey Brock. (You know these scammers are bold when they send a spoof email to the owner of the firm they are spoofing!) This email exhibits several of the signs of a suspicious email, including a "from" address that is not from a recognized Kimbrough Law email address, the way the firm name is shown (Kimbroughlaw vs. Kimbrough Law), and the format of the date and time are shown on the email.
Signs That an Email is a Spoof
How can you tell whether an email is actually from Kimbrough Law or it is a spoof? Watch for these signs:
Suspicious Email Address: The first red flag is the sender’s email address. Although the display name might read "Kimbrough Law," the actual email address might have unusual characters or misspellings, or it might come from a domain that doesn’t match our official email addresses. For instance, you might see an email from "KimbroughLaw@mail.com" or "KimbroghLaw@secure-sign.com" instead of our legitimate domain (KimbroughLaw.net).
Urgency or Threats: These emails often create a sense of urgency, telling you that immediate action is required to avoid consequences. They might say something like, "You must sign this document within 24 hours or your account will be suspended." This pressure is designed to make you act without thinking.
Unusual Links or Attachments: Be wary of emails that ask you to click on a link or download an attachment, especially if you weren’t expecting any documents from us. These links may lead to fake websites designed to steal your information or download malware onto your computer.
Poor Grammar and Spelling: Often, spoof emails contain awkward phrasing, spelling errors, or grammatical mistakes that are not typical of the professional communications you expect from Kimbrough Law.
What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Email
If you receive an email that might be a spoof, here's what to do:
Do Not Click Any Links: If you receive an email that looks suspicious, do not click on any links or download any attachments. This is the easiest way for scammers to infect your computer with malware or steal your information.
Verify the Sender: Before taking any action, verify the sender's email address. If there’s any doubt, reach out to Kimbrough Law directly using the phone number and email address you know to be legitimate (706.850.6910, outreach@kimbroughlaw.net, or info@kimbroughlaw.net). Do not reply to the suspicious email.
Report the Email: If you suspect that you have received a spoof email, report it to your email provider as phishing. This helps protect others from falling victim to the same scam. You can also forward the email to our office at outreach@kimbroughlaw.net, and we can confirm its authenticity. You can also report scams to the authorities, including:
Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Report suspicious contacts to the FTC at FTC.gov/Complaint, or by calling (877) IDTHEFT.
FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): Report internet phishing, spam, and other criminal activity to IC3.gov.
Anti-Phishing Working Group: Forward phishing emails to reportphishing@apwg.org.
Delete the Email: After reporting the email, delete it from your inbox and trash folder to prevent any accidental clicks in the future.
Update Your Security Software: Ensure that your antivirus and anti-malware software are up-to-date to provide an additional layer of protection against threats.
How Kimbrough Law Protects Your Information
At Kimbrough Law, we take your security very seriously. We use secure email systems and encryption to protect sensitive information, and we never ask clients to provide personal details or sign documents through unverified email links. If you are ever in doubt about an email's authenticity, please reach out to us directly before taking any action.
Spoof emails are becoming increasingly sophisticated, but by staying informed and cautious, you can protect yourself from falling victim to these scams. Remember to always verify the sender, look out for red flags, and never click on suspicious links. If you have any concerns or questions, Kimbrough Law is here to help. Your security is our priority, and together, we can ensure that your personal information remains safe.
Questions? Comments? Call Kimbrough Law at 706.850.6910.
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