Phishing for Google Adwords Accounts
Monday, August 11th, 2008++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From: adwords-noreply@google.com
Sent: 8/9/2008 12:20:01 P.M. Central Daylight Time
Subj: Google AdWords Notification Alert
Renew Your Account Now !
Dear Member,
This is your official notification from Google Inc. that the service(s) listed below will be deactivated and deleted if not renewed immediately.
As the Primary Contact, you must renew the service(s) listed below or it will be deactivated and deleted.
Renew Now your Google AdWords services.
SERVICE: Google AdWords
EXPIRATION: August, 11 2008
Thank you for using Google Inc service. We appreciate your business and the opportunity to serve you.
Google AdWords Service.
*Note : Please do not reply to this Customer Service e-mail.
©2008 Google
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Investigator Notes:
1. The email was sent without a “To” field so that additional recipients could not be identified. Most legitimate emails to account holders and customers are sent directly to the recipient’s email address and are often personalized with the account holder’s name in the email.
2. The included HMTL coded link points to a website which is not a Google website and could be misleading:
adwordstechcenter.com/select/Login.htm
3. Threats of account termination are very common in phishing attempts while a legitimate company would not risk losing a customer over something that could be taken care of with a phone call.
4. Fraudulantly obtaining access to Google Adwords accounts could provide thieves with account holder identity and financial information as well as provide the scammers with the ability to hijack pay per click advertising campaigns.