Unsubscribe Email Scam

Cybercriminals send fake emails with a link to unsubscribe from advertising campaigns to get users to click on it.

Annoying Spam In Your Inbox

In 2022, almost 49 percent  of global email traffic consisted of spam, while about 30 percent of adults encountered phishing scams that year.

In other words, spam isn’t just an annoyance—it can be downright dangerous. This is why, in the European Union and many other countries, it’s illegal to send commercial emails without giving recipients a way to opt out.

Newsletters you’ve willingly subscribed to will include an “unsubscribe” link, typically found near the bottom of the email (as pictured below).

Fake Unsubscribe Links

Imagine opening a spam email and spotting an unsubscribe option — simple enough, right? Just click, and you’ll be removed from the list. Unfortunately, it’s not always that straightforward.

Some spammers and scammers misuse these unsubscribe links for harmful purposes. That’s why you might find an unsubscribe link in a risky email like a phishing  attempt.

Cybercriminals know how tempting it is to click a button offering to stop unwanted emails, so they sometimes hide links to malicious websites or trigger malware installations behind these fake unsubscribe buttons. In other words, there’s an “unsubscribe” email scam that works as a phishing trap.

What Is The Risk?

1. Clicking unsubscribe on a phishing email could initiate a download that infects your device with malware or redirect you to a harmful website.

2. If the email is a shady attempt to sell unsolicited products or services—like discount medications or instant loan approvals—clicking the opt-out link might just confirm to the sender that your email address is active. This can encourage the spammer to send even more spam your way, meaning you’ve likely signed up for more spam, not less.

How To Stay Safe?

• Our mobile app Redamp.io includes a Safe Surfing  feature that effectively handles protection against the latest threats such as phishing or malware.

• If you don't recall signing up for a newsletter or consenting to receive emails from a store or brand — often done to get a discount — be cautious about clicking on an opt-out link. However, if you are indeed a subscriber and have confirmed that the sender's address and the link in the email are authentic, you can use the unsubscribe link to stop receiving spam emails.

• Additionally, remember that if you're a registered user of an online store or service, you should have the option to unsubscribe from mailings through your account settings. For added security, consider logging in directly to your account to unsubscribe, rather than clicking on any email links.

• Unsubscribe scams are another reason to avoid clicking links in emails from unfamiliar addresses. Since both sender addresses and link text can be spoofed, it’s wise to verify by hovering over the sender’s address and any links with your mouse. This will display the full email address or URL, helping you confirm their authenticity.

• To view the full email address on your phone, tap on the sender’s name. For checking a link, avoid tapping directly; instead, press and hold your finger on it. A menu will appear, showing the full URL and options to open or preview the page. If anything looks suspicious, simply tap elsewhere on the screen to close the menu.

Source: mail.com , trimbox.com