How to avoid virulent attachments found in "BRT" scam emails

What is the fake "BRT" email?

"BRT Email Virus" refers to a spam campaign spreading the Ursnif trojan. The term "spam campaign" defines a large-scale operation, during which thousands of deceptive emails are distributed. The "BRT" scam emails target Italian users and are presented as notifications about due invoices.

These messages have infectious files attached. When these are opened (thereby executing malicious macro commands), the infection chain of Ursnif malware starts.

More about the fake "BRT" email

The "BRT Email Virus" messages (the subject/title "BRT S.P.A. - Codice cliente 01871770 (ID3802490)" might vary) are disguised as due invoice alerts. The total pending sum is stated to be 355,50 EUR.

To give the impression of legitimacy, the scam emails list five real Italian banks: Banca Nazionale del Lavoro (BNL), Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, Banco BPM, Intesa Sanpaolo and UniCredit. The messages are concluded with a statement that, according to current law, these messages and/or their attachments may contain confidential/privileged information.

Should users not be the intended recipients, they are warned against taking action, using, copying or otherwise disclosing this information. Additionally, if the fake invoices have been received by error, recipients are asked to contact the sender and delete the emails.

Note that "BRT Email Virus" messages are fake and none of the information provided by them is true. The sole purpose of these emails is to infect recipients' systems with the Ursnif Trojan.

The infection process (i.e. malware download/installation) is triggered by opening the Microsoft Office document ("756834.xlsm" - the filename may vary) attached to the "BRT" scam emails. Specifically, infection begins the moment macro commands (i.e. editing/content) are enabled.

The main functionality of the Ursnif Trojan is stealing information from infected devices. Data of interest includes: user and system information, browsing activity, log-in credentials (i.e. IDs, usernames and passwords) stored on browsers and other applications, as well as key strokes (i.e. typed data).

Other capabilities of this malicious program is restarting the system, taking screenshots and infiltrating/executing files (typically used to download/install additional malware). To summarize, Ursnif infections can result in severe privacy issues, financial losses and even identity theft.

If it is suspected or known that Ursnif (or other malware) has already infected the system, use anti-virus software to remove it immediately.

Examples of other malspam campaigns

"DHL Failed Delivery Notification", "Bill Of Lading", "Order Confirmation", "EniGaseLuce" and "Universal Medical Equipment" are some examples of other malware-proliferating spam campaigns.

Emails sent through these operations are usually presented as "important", "urgent", "priority" and similar. They may even be disguised as mail from genuine institutions, companies, service providers and other entities. Deceptive emails are not employed just for distributing malicious software, they are also used for phishing and other scams.

How did "BRT Email Virus" infect my computer?

Typically, cyber criminals behind malspam campaigns send emails with a file attached to them or a download link to the malicious file. Their main goal is to trick recipients into opening/executing the rogue file, which then installs malicious software.

Some examples of files that cyber criminals send via email are Microsoft Office and PDF documents, executables (.exe), JavaScript, and archives (ZIP, RAR).

Note that malicious documents that are opened with Microsoft Office 2010 or newer versions install malicious software only if users enable macros commands (enable editing/content). These versions include "Protected View" mode, which does not allow opened malicious documents to install malware automatically. Older versions do not include this feature and install malicious software without asking permission.

How to avoid installation of malware

To avoid malware spread via spam mail, you are strongly advised against opening suspicious or irrelevant emails, especially those with any attachments or links present within them.

Additionally, use Microsoft Office versions released after 2010. Malicious programs also proliferate through untrusted download channels (e.g. unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders), illegal software activation ("cracking") tools, and fake updaters.

Therefore, only download from official/verified sources and activate and update software with tools/functions provided by legitimate developers.

To ensure device integrity and user privacy, have a reputable anti-virus/anti-spyware suite installed and kept updated. Furthermore, use these programs to run regular system scans and to remove detected/potential threats.

If you have already opened "BRT Email Virus" attachment, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.

Text presented in the "BRT" scam email message:

Subject: BRT S.P.A. - Codice cliente 01871770 (ID3802490)

Gentile cliente,

 

Le segnaliamo che sono in scadenza le fatture di seguito riportate:

 

----------------------------------------------
       Fattura          Data
   Numero    Data     scadenza         Importo
-------------------- ---------- --------------
   756834 18.12.2020 18.01.2021          355,50
----------------------------------------------
Totale EUR          355,50
==============

 

Per il pagamento attraverso bonifico bancario BENEFICIARIO BRT S.p.A., con
specifica nella descrizione del bonifico del seguente codice cliente 01871770,
le indichiamo le nostre coordinate bancarie:

 

------------------------------------------------------------------
Banca                               IBAN                SWIFT BIC
-------------------- --------------------------------- -----------
BNL                  IT05 C010 0502 5980 0000 0011 453 BNLIITRRXXX
Monte Paschi Siena   IT51 T010 3002 4020 0000 0378 047 PASCITM1BO2
Banco BPM            IT27 R050 3402 4100 0000 0111 323 BAPPIT21586
Intesa Sanpaolo      IT55 R030 6902 5060 7400 0000 178 BCITITMM
UniCredit            IT81 R020 0805 3640 0000 1097 497 UNCRITMMORR
------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Per eventuali informazioni può contattarci al numero di telefono 0975511416   .

 

Cogliamo l'occasione per inviarle distinti saluti.

 

BRT S.P.A.

 

Ai sensi della vigente normativa in ambito di protezione dei dati personali si precisa che le informazioni contenute in questo messaggio sono riservate ed a uso esclusivo del destinatario. Qualora il messaggio in parola Le fosse pervenuto per errore, la preghiamo di eliminarlo senza copiarlo e di non inoltrarlo a terzi, dandocene gentilmente comunicazione. Grazie.

 

This message, according to the present law, may contain confidential and/or privileged information. If you are not the addressee or authorized to receive this for the addressee, you should not use, copy, disclose or take any action based on this message or any information herein If you have received this message in error, please advise the sender immediately by reply e-mail and delete this message. Thank you for your cooperation.

Malicious attachment distributed via "BRT Email Virus" spam campaign ("756834.xlsm"):

An example of BRT-themed spam email used to promote a phishing website:

Text presented within:

Subject: B‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌-R‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌-T : REF 1004165840

Gentile cliente:

Il tuo pacco è stato bloccato nel Terminal 1 a causa di spese di spedizione non pagate
Conferma il pagamento di 4,36 euro
Conferma la consegna
Se spese di spedizione non viene pagato entro 48 ore, annulleremo la consegna
Grazie
BRT S.p.A. Tutti i diritti riservati - Codice fiscale 04507990150 - Registro Imprese Milano n. 04507990150 - Partita IVA IT04507990150

Screenshot of the promoted phishing site:

Another example of BRT S.P.A.-themed spam email used to spread Ursnif malware:

Text presented within:

Subject: BRT S.P.A. - Sollecito pagamento fatture 01238191 (ID1774076)

 

16.03.2021

Oggetto: Sollecito pagamento fatture
Gentile cliente,
con la presente Le segnaliamo che non ci risulta pervenuto il pagamento delle fatture scadute di seguito
riportate:

===================================
Data    Numero    Data
Documento     Documento Scadenza   Importo
-----------------------------------
15.02.2021    49346     15.03.20211.003,00
===================================

Entro e non oltre 5 giorni dalla data di ricevimento della presente, La invitiamo a predisporre il
pagamento dell'importo complessivo di Euro 1.003,00

Il pagamento può essere effettuato con bonifico bancario a favore di BRT S.p.A., usando le coordinate
IBAN di una delle Banche di seguito elencate riportando nella descrizione il codice cliente 01238191.

Istituto IBANBIC
-----------------------------------
BNLIT05 C010 0502 5980 0000 0011 453 BNLIITRRXXX
Monte Paschi Siena   IT51 T010 3002 4020 0000 0378 047 PASCITM1BO2
Banco BPMIT27 R050 3402 4100 0000 0111 323 BAPPIT21586
Intesa SanpaoloIT55 R030 6902 5060 7400 0000 178 BCITITMM
UniCreditIT81 R020 0805 3640 0000 1097 497 UNCRITMMORR
-----------------------------------

Nel caso abbia già provveduto al pagamento, può considerare nulla la presente comunicazione.
Per eventuali informazioni può contattarci al numero di telefono 0422702311.

Cogliamo l'occasione per inviarLe distinti saluti.

BRT S.p.A.

Screenshot of the attached malicious MS Excel document:

Yet another example of BRT-themed spam email promoting a phishing website:

Text presented within:

Subject: REF : 1400093842178 B‌‌‌‌‌‌R‌‌‌‌‌‌T

 

BRT
CORRERIE
ESPRESSO

Ge‌‌‌‌‌‌ntile clie‌‌‌‌‌‌nte:

Il t‌‌‌‌‌‌u‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌o pa‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌c‌‌‌‌‌‌co èst‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ato bloc‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌c‌‌‌‌‌‌ato nel Te‌‌‌‌‌‌r‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌m‌‌‌‌‌‌inal 3 a ca‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌us‌‌‌‌‌‌a di sp‌‌‌‌‌‌e‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌se di sp‌‌‌‌‌‌edi‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌zio‌‌‌‌‌‌ne no‌‌‌‌‌‌n‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ pa‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌g‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ate.
Co‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌nf‌‌‌‌‌‌erm‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌a il pa‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ga‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌m‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ento

S‌‌‌‌‌‌e s‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌pese di spe‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌dizi‌‌‌‌‌‌one non vie‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ne pag ato entro 48 ore, annullere‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌mo la con‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌segna.
 
Grazie B‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌.R‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌.T‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ S.p.A. Tutti i diritti riservati - Codice fiscale 04507990150 Regis‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌tro Imp‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌rese Milano n. 04507990150 - Partita I‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌VA IT045‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌07990150

Screenshot of the promoted phishing website (brto-shop[.]shop):

Another example of BRT-themed spam email used to promote a phishing website:

Text presented within:

Subject: Il tuo pacco non può essere consegnato

Caro cliente,

Il tuo pacco non può essere consegnato oggi a causa delle spese di sdoganamento aggiuntive non pagate. Verrà consegnato non appena verrà pagato il costo.

Commissioni pagabili : 1,67 EUR.

Area Clienti

Data : 15/07/2021

BRT S.p.A. Tutti i diritti riservati

Codice fiscale 04507990150 - Registro Imprese Milano n. 04507990150- Partitz IVA IT04507990150

Screenshot of the promoted phishing site:

Instant automatic malware removal:

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Types of malicious emails:

If you opened an attachment or downloaded a file from a suspicious email, run a full system scan with Combo Cleaner. If you only received the email and didn't engage with it, you don't need to scan anything - just identify the scam and delete it. The full procedure below covers both situations and what to do if you already clicked, replied, or sent money.

Credential theft Phishing emails

Fake login pages disguised as PayPal, Microsoft, Apple, banks, or social networks. The email pushes a link to a near-perfect copy of the real login screen. The moment you type your username and password, the attacker has them.

Common subject lines

• "Action required: confirm your account"
• "Your password expires today"
• "Unusual sign-in attempt detected"
• "Verify your billing information"

Malware delivery Emails with malicious attachments

Trojans hidden inside fake invoices, faxes, shipping confirmations, or Office documents. Opening the attachment runs the payload and infects the system - often with an info-stealer or remote-access trojan.

Common subject lines

• "Invoice INV-2026-XXXX attached"
• "Fax received - 3 pages"
• "Your shipping document is ready"
• "Voicemail from +1-XXX-XXX-XXXX"

Extortion Sextortion emails

Fake claims of webcam recordings demanding cryptocurrency. Almost always a bluff: the attacker pulls a real password from an old data breach to make the threat look credible, then claims to have video of you. They have no recording and no access.

Common subject lines

• "I know your password is XXXX"
• "Your account has been hacked"
• "I have recorded you - 48 hours to pay"
• "You have been compromised"

Callback fraud Refund & callback scams

"Your subscription was renewed for $499 - call to cancel." Norton, McAfee, Geek Squad, PayPal, and Wells Fargo variants are all common. There's no real subscription. The phone number in the email connects directly to the scammer, who walks you through "refunding" yourself - which is actually them stealing money from your bank.

Common subject lines

• "Norton subscription auto-renewed - $499.99"
• "McAfee Total Protection invoice"
• "Geek Squad order confirmation"
• "Your PayPal payment is being processed"

Credential theft Account suspension & verification scams

"Your account will be deleted in 24 hours - verify now." The artificial deadline is the whole point: it pressures you to click before checking details. The "verify" link goes to a phishing page styled to look like the real provider.

Common subject lines

• "Your account will be deleted in 24 hours"
• "Suspicious activity detected - verify now"
• "Final warning: account closure"
• "Action required to keep your account active"

Mixed payload Delivery & package scams

Fake DHL, USPS, UPS, or FedEx tracking, customs fees, or "package undeliverable" notices. Targets anyone expecting a parcel - the timing alone catches many people. The link hides either phishing (asking for card details to "release" the package) or a malware download.

Common subject lines

• "Your DHL package is held at customs"
• "USPS - delivery attempt failed"
• "FedEx tracking update - action required"
• "Pay $2.99 redelivery fee to release your parcel"

Remote access Tech support scams

Fake Microsoft, Apple, or "Windows Defender" security alerts pushing a phone number. Real Microsoft and Apple never email a phone number to call. The number connects you to a scammer who asks for remote access to "fix" the imaginary problem and then demands payment.

Common subject lines

• "Microsoft Defender expired - renew now"
• "Apple ID security alert"
• "Critical: virus detected on your PC"
• "Windows license expired - call now"

Wire fraud Advance-fee scams

Inheritance, lottery wins, romance, or business deals that ask for a small fee to release a much larger sum. The classic "Nigerian prince" 419 family of frauds. Once you pay the first fee, more fees appear (taxes, lawyer, transfer charges) until you stop paying. The promised money never exists.

Common subject lines

• "Inheritance from a relative you didn't know about"
• "You won the international lottery"
• "URGENT - business proposal worth $XX million"
• "Compensation fund release for fraud victims"

Wire fraud Business email compromise (BEC)

CEO impersonation asking employees to wire money or buy gift cards, or fake supplier invoices with newly "updated" bank details for payment redirection. The email often spoofs a real internal executive's display name and uses an external lookalike domain.

Common subject lines

• "Quick task - need you to buy gift cards"
• "Updated banking details for invoice payment"
• "Wire transfer request - urgent"
• "Are you available?" (CEO impersonation opener)

How to spot a malicious email?

Phase 1~ 2 min

Spot - identify the red flags

---

1

Check the sender's actual address, not the display name

30 sec

The display name (the human-readable part) is trivial to fake. Always check the full address that comes after it. Common red flags:

• Domain mismatch - service@paypa1.com, support@micros0ft-help.com, look-alike domains using digits or extra hyphens
• Free-email impersonation - any "official" message from a bank, courier, or platform sent from a @gmail.com, @outlook.com, or @yahoo.com address
• Reply-To mismatch - the From address looks legitimate but Reply-To points somewhere completely different

Why this matters

Real companies own their domains and send mail from them. A "DHL" message from a Gmail address is never legitimate, regardless of how convincing the body looks.

2

Watch for urgency, threats, and generic greetings

30 sec

Scams almost always rush you. The point is to make you act before you think. Treat any of the following as a strong signal:

• "Your account will be deleted in 24 hours"
• "Final notice" / "Immediate action required"
• "Dear Customer" or "Dear User" instead of your real name
• Threats of fines, account closure, legal action, or arrest
• Promises of refunds, prizes, or money you didn't earn
• Spelling and grammar mistakes in messages claiming to come from a major brand

3

Hover over every link before clicking

30 sec

On a desktop, hover the mouse over the link without clicking. The real destination shows in the bottom-left status bar of your browser or email client. On a phone, long-press the link to preview the URL.

• Real Microsoft, PayPal, or bank links go to those exact domains, not redirects through unrelated sites
• Shortened URLs (bit.ly, tinyurl, t.co) hide the real destination - never click them in unsolicited mail
• The visible link text and the actual URL must match - mismatches are the single biggest phishing red flag

Pro tip

When in doubt, don't click the link. Open a new browser tab and type the company's address yourself, then log in normally. If there really is an issue with your account, you'll see it there.

4

Treat unexpected attachments as hostile

30 sec

If you didn't ask for the file, don't open it - even if it appears to come from someone you know. Categories that should never be opened from email without verification through another channel:

• .exe, .scr, .iso, .img, .vbs, .bat - executables, never legitimate attachments
• .docx, .xlsx, .pptx with "Enable macros" prompts - the macros run the malware
• .pdf with "Click here to view" buttons - usually a phishing redirect, not a real document
• .zip, .rar, .7z archives, especially password-protected ones - the password defeats the email scanner

Phase 2~ 2 min

Report and delete - if you haven't engaged

---

If you only received the email and didn't reply, click, or open anything, the steps below are all you need. Your computer is not infected.

5

Don't reply, don't click "unsubscribe"

30 sec

Replying confirms your address is real and monitored, which gets you added to higher-value scam lists. The "unsubscribe" link in a scam message is rarely a real opt-out - it usually leads to a phishing page or downloads a tracking pixel.

Instead, mark the message as junk or phishing inside your email client (this trains the spam filter), then block the sender.

6

Report the scam to your email provider and authorities

1 min

Inside your email client:

• Gmail: open the message → ⋮ menu → Report phishing
• Outlook / Outlook.com: ⋯ menu → Report → Report phishing
• Apple Mail / iCloud: Move to Junk, then forward to reportphishing@apple.com

Forward or report to authorities:

• International: forward to reportphishing@apwg.org
• United States: ic3.gov (FBI)
• United Kingdom: forward phishing emails to report@phishing.gov.uk (NCSC SERS); for financial loss report at reportfraud.police.uk (Report Fraud, the successor to Action Fraud; 0300 123 2040)
• Canada: antifraudcentre.ca
• Australia: scamwatch.gov.au
• EU: your national CERT - find yours via the ENISA CSIRT map

After reporting, delete the email and empty the Trash folder so you don't accidentally open it later.

Phase 3~ 10–60 min

Recover - if you already engaged with the scam

---

Pick the step below that matches what you did. If multiple apply, work through them in the order they appear - the steps are arranged from lowest to highest risk.

7

You only clicked a link (didn't enter anything or download anything)

Scenario: clicked link only10 min

Close the page right away. Don't enter any information, even if the page looks legitimate.

• Clear your browser cache and cookies for the last hour - Chrome/Edge: Ctrl+Shift+Del → Last hour → check Cookies and Cached files
• Run a quick scan with Combo Cleaner in case the page tried to drop a file silently (drive-by download)
• Update your browser to the latest version - most drive-by exploits target outdated browsers
• Watch for new browser pop-ups, redirects, or unfamiliar notifications over the next few days

Why this matters

Modern browsers block most drive-by attacks, but a single click on a phishing page can still be enough on an outdated browser or unpatched plugin. A quick scan catches anything that landed silently.

8

You opened an attachment or downloaded a file - run a full malware scan

Scenario: opened attachment⚠ Highest risk60–90 min

Opening an attachment is the most common path to actual infection. Treat the system as compromised until the scans below come back clean. Work through these sub-steps in order:

8.1Disconnect from the network

Unplug Ethernet and turn off Wi-Fi. If the attachment was an info-stealer or remote-access trojan, this stops it from sending data out or receiving commands. Keep the network off until you've booted into Safe Mode (next step) - you'll reconnect there briefly to download the scanners.

8.2Boot into Safe Mode with Networking, then download the scanners

Windows 11: Settings → System → Recovery → Advanced startup → Restart now → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → press 5 or F5.

Windows 10: hold Shift, click Power → Restart → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → press F5.

Once Safe Mode has loaded, turn Wi-Fi back on and download Combo Cleaner (used in 8.4) and Microsoft Safety Scanner (used in 8.5). Safe Mode loads only minimal drivers, so most malware can't auto-run while you're getting the tools. Save both installers to your Desktop.

8.3Run Microsoft Defender Offline

Reboot to normal Windows. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Scan options. Select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now. The PC restarts into a stripped-down environment and scans the disk before Windows fully loads - this is what catches rootkits and bootkits.

Recommended antivirus

Combo Cleaner

VB100 certified. Includes anti-trojan, registry/persistence scanning, and anti-spyware in one pass. The 7-day free trial is available.

Download Combo Cleaner

8.4Run a full Combo Cleaner scan

Install Combo Cleaner and run a full system scan (not the quick scan). Let it complete fully, review what it found, and apply the recommended actions. Combo Cleaner will quarantine known trojans and remove their persistence in the registry.

8.5Run Microsoft Safety Scanner as a second-opinion scan

Download Microsoft Safety Scanner (MSERT.exe). The binary expires every 10 days, which means every download has the latest signatures. Run a full scan after Combo Cleaner to catch anything one engine alone might miss.

8.6Reset browsers and clear notification permissions

Many email-borne trojans drop adware that hijacks browsers. Reset each browser you use:

Chrome: chrome://settings/reset → Restore settings to their original defaults. Then chrome://settings/content/notifications - remove unfamiliar sites.

Edge: edge://settings/reset. Then edge://settings/content/notifications.

Firefox: about:support → Refresh Firefox.

8.7Re-enable Defender, Tamper Protection, and update everything

Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Manage settings and confirm Real-time protection, Cloud-delivered protection, and Tamper Protection are all on. Then run Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates and update browsers and applications.

Important

If the scans keep finding new threats on each run, or files reappear after deletion, you may have a deeper compromise that needs a clean Windows reinstall. See pcrisk's full manual malware removal guide for the extended procedure (Process Explorer, Autoruns, hosts file inspection).

9

You entered credentials on a fake login page

Scenario: shared password⚠ Act fast20 min

Assume the attacker has your password and is using it right now. Speed matters.

1. Change the password from a different, known-clean device (your phone is fine if it's not infected). Don't reuse the old password anywhere else.
2. Enable two-factor authentication if you haven't already. Prefer an authenticator app or hardware key over SMS.
3. Sign out of all sessions - most platforms have a "sign out everywhere" option in security settings, which kicks the attacker out.
4. Review recent activity - look for unfamiliar logins, new devices, forwarding rules, or app permissions. Remove anything you don't recognize.
5. Check your other accounts - if you reused that password anywhere else, change it there too. Check your exposure at haveibeenpwned.com.
6. Update security questions - the attacker may have seen the answers in your account profile.

Why email comes first

If you only have time to change one password, change your primary email password - it's the recovery hub for every other account. An attacker who controls your email can reset everything else.

10

You sent money or shared bank, card, or ID details

Scenario: financial loss⚠ Contact bank now30 min

Time is the single biggest factor in recovering money. Banks can sometimes recall a wire or reverse a card transaction within the first few hours.

1. Call your bank or card issuer immediately. Use the number on the back of the card, not any number from the scam email. Ask them to freeze the card, reverse the transaction if possible, and flag the account for fraud monitoring.
2. If you sent a wire transfer or used a money-transfer service (Western Union, MoneyGram, Zelle, Wise), call them directly and request a recall. Some can be reversed within minutes if reported fast.
3. If you sent cryptocurrency or gift cards, recovery is unlikely - but report it anyway, since law enforcement tracks these patterns.
4. File a police report. You'll need the report number for any insurance, bank, or credit-bureau claim. Save the report number.
5. File with the right authority for your country:
   • US: ic3.gov + reportfraud.ftc.gov
   • UK: reportfraud.police.uk (Report Fraud, the successor to Action Fraud; 0300 123 2040)
   • Canada: antifraudcentre.ca
   • Australia: scamwatch.gov.au
   • EU: your national CERT or police cybercrime unit
6. Set fraud alerts on all major credit bureaus if you shared any ID details. US: Equifax, Experian, TransUnion. UK: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion (Cifas Protective Registration is a stronger option).
7. Save all evidence - the original email (with full headers), screenshots of the fake site, transaction records, any phone numbers or chat logs.

Phase 4~ 15 min + 30 days

Verify & monitor

---

11

Final scan and startup-app check

15 min

Reconnect to the network and run one final full scan with Combo Cleaner, followed by a Windows Defender quick scan. Then open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and switch to Startup apps - disable anything unfamiliar.

Make sure Windows, browsers, and any applications you use are fully up to date. The infection vector that worked on you once usually involves outdated software.

12

Monitor accounts and credit for 30 days

5 min/day · 30 days

Most fraud follow-ups land in the first month. Until that window closes, keep watching:

• Bank and card statements - daily for the first week, then weekly
• Email - watch for password-reset confirmations or login alerts you didn't trigger
• Credit report - US: free at annualcreditreport.com; UK: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion all have free tiers
• Breach alerts - sign up at haveibeenpwned.com to be notified when your email appears in new leaks

If anything new appears in any of those, treat it as a continuing compromise: change passwords again, contact the bank again, and update the police report.

Important: If you didn't click anything, didn't reply, and didn't open any attachment, your computer is not infected - just delete the email and move on. If you opened an attachment or downloaded a file, run an automated scan with Combo Cleaner and Windows Defender and stop there. That path catches the vast majority of email-borne malware without the risk of breaking Windows by deleting the wrong file.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why did I receive this email?

The intention of scammers is to send out identical letters to a large number of recipients in the hopes that someone will be tricked into falling for it. Thus, spam emails are never personalized.

I have provided my personal information when tricked by this email, what should I do?

In case you have shared any of your account login information, it is recommended that you change all passwords without delay. If you have disclosed any sensitive personal data, such as credit card details or ID card information, it is important to promptly inform the relevant authorities.

I have downloaded and opened a file attached to this email, is my computer infected?

If the file in question was an executable, it is highly likely that it could have caused an infection. However, if it was a document such as .pdf or .doc, there is a possibility that the system may not have been infiltrated, as merely opening the document does not always lead to a malware infection.

I have read the email but didn't open the attachment, is my computer infected?

Merely opening an email does not pose any harm to the system. However, system infections may occur as a result of clicking on links within the email or opening attached files.

Will Combo Cleaner remove malware infections that were present in email attachment?

Combo Cleaner can identify and remove almost all known malware infections. It is important to note that advanced malware tends to conceal itself deeply within the system, so conducting a complete system scan is essential.