I hate writing this but I feel like I need to help spread the word. After all, I’m here for you, biz owners and users in general. In the past few weeks, I’ve had both happen to me: scamming and hacking. This is bullsh*t. I work hard for my living, but there are those that don’t. And I read a recent article that said that scamming is high right now because scammers know that everyone has received their tax return by now. They know that it’s easier for people to pay this because they have money right now.
First, SCAMMING. Have you received an email about “Domain Registration SEO?” If you own a web domain (like www.MySite.com) then you’ve received this email. It’s a SCAM, don’t pay it. I’ve received it numerous times, so have a few of my clients. See this screenshot:
A couple of quick things:
- The email address is “info@eburg.org,” the name on it is “Domain Registration SEO.” Just there to scare you. That’s why it’s important to register your email with your domain. That builds trust. This does not. SCAM!
- And that “eburg.org” website isn’t setup. What business doesn’t have a website? SCAM!
- There’s no phone number!
Or have you received a vague email from a “customer” about a payment or returned payment? I had another client where a customer emailed and said they were overcharged. They provided no phone number and sent an attachment to review and sent them to a fraudulent website. These people are everywhere. Keep your eyes open!
FINAL THOUGHT on scamming: Do 30 seconds of research to find out if it’s real or not. Check the email, does it match? Check the phone number. If it’s there, call it and don’t give any information other than the account number they provide and let them tell you all your info.
The second is HACKING. One of my other clients sites got hacked recently. While we’re not entirely sure where breach came from, we know that it was very recent. Luckily we caught it early and were able to remediate it quickly.
I recently designed a logo for a device security company and they told me that, on average, a home network gets pinged by a hacker 1-2 times a week. Don’t let this scare you, but it’s all automated. There’s not a guy wearing a mask in a van down the street trying to hack you. They set up a program to run through IPs, see if there’s a hole to enter and start guessing passwords.
FINAL THOUGHT on hacking: It’s important to keep your passwords difficult to guess. Use any security software you can to help keep your computer secure. Don’t click or download attachments you don’t know. Could seem harmless, but they are working in the background.
If you have any questions about something you have received, holler at me.
On April 29, 2017 I registered the domain name of eburg.org because it was available. I’ve registered said domain name off and on for years; I also set up a corresponding catch-all email account. Apparently, who had it before me had it set-up, and still does, to send out the bogus solicitation to appear it’s from info@eburg.org.
(I’ve also received the Domain Registration SEO email for some of my other domain names.)
I’ve received tens of thousands of responses from what you’re taking about. If the email account is turned off, the responses will just bounce back to the sender of the responses. Whoever is responsible for this matter, I’d like to somehow make them aware of the matter and to correct it. I’ve not attempted to figure it out yet as it’d be time-consuming. I came about your Web site because I Googled “ ‘info@eburg.org.’ ”
Most of the responses are something like:
“You are getting this message because I am no longer using this email address. I was forced to abandon it after I began receiving hundreds of spam emails a day.” Or, “I’m protecting myself from receiving junk mail.” Or, “Please click the link below to complete the verification process. You will only have to do this once.” Or, “We received your message and we will respond within 24 hrs. “ Or, “Please note my email has changed to…”
However, there were two responses that stated the below.
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“Hi, I cannot renew my domain until June, May I pay in June, please?”
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“Hello the domain will not take my payment. Please assist me.
Crystal
Sent from my iPhone”
First, I’d recommend changing your email account. Whoever is sending out bogus emails is going to continue doing so. If you don’t want to, and if you ever set up a website, I’d recommend putting a notification banner at the top of the screen addressing the known issue. Third, if you want to notify the senders, you should setup a autoresponder to your email. However, the only people that will get your auto response is if they respond to the initial email.
I wasn’t aware of the fact that a home network gets pinged by a hacker 1-2 times a week. That’s quite disturbing!
Did you get any advice from a device security company you were working for?