Malware attack disguised as email about blocked credit card

Cybercriminals have spammed out emails which claim to be a warning that your credit card has been blocked, but in reality contain a malicious attachment designed to infect your computer.

Be on your guard if you receive an unexpected email claiming that your credit card is blocked.

The dangerous emails use subject lines including

Your credit card is blocked

and

Your credit card has been blocked

A typical email looks like the following:

Dear Customer,
Your credit card is blocked!

Your credit card was withdrawn $ XXXX,XX
Possibly illegal operation!

More information in the attached file.

Immediately contact your bank .

Best regards, MASTERCARD.com Customer Services.

Here’s another version:

Dear User,
Your credit card is blocked!

With your credit card was removed $ XXXX,XX…

Read more in my article on the Naked Security website.

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Graham Cluley •   @gcluley

Graham Cluley is a veteran of the cybersecurity industry having worked for a number of security companies since the early 1990s when he wrote the first ever version of Dr Solomon's Anti-Virus Toolkit for Windows. Now an independent analyst, he regularly makes media appearances and is an international public speaker on the topic of cybersecurity, hackers, and online privacy. Follow him on Twitter, Mastodon, Bluesky, or drop him an email.