Do not provide details on the fake TIM website (refund form)
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
TIM email scam removal guide
What is TIM email scam?
Typically, scammers behind phishing emails attempt to trick recipients into installing malware or providing sensitive information: they send emails containing malicious attachments (or download links for malicious files) or links designed to open deceptive websites asking to enter/provide personal information. In most cases, scammers impersonate legitimate organizations, companies and make their emails look like important, official letters. In this particular case, scammers masquerade as TIM, an Italian telecommunications company.
As mentioned in the previous paragraph, this phishing email is disguised as a letter from an Italian telecommunications company. Scammers behind it attempt to trick recipients into believing that they have paid for the same invoice twice (made a double payment), and to get the overpaid amount back, they need to fill a request for refund form. The email contains the "Confermare il rimborso" hyperlink, which opens a fake refund form (deceptive website) asking to provide details such as name and surname, fiscal code (tax code), date of birth, credit card number and its expiration date, and the CVV number (card security code). It means that scammers behind this phishing scam attempt to trick recipients into providing all their credit card details. Credit card information can be used to make unauthorized purchases, transactions, either in person or online, to steal identities, open new accounts of for other malicious purposes. Also, obtained information can be sold to other cybercriminals on the darkweb. Therefore, it is important to always analyze emails and websites (and their URLs) before providing any sensitive personal information.
| Name | TIM Email Scam |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
| Fake Claim | The invoice was overpaid, recipients can apply for a refund |
| Disguise | A letter from TIM, an italian telecommunications company |
| Related Domain | servizifattura.jdevcloud[.]com |
| Detection Names (servizifattura.jdevcloud[.]com) | CyRadar (Malicious), Emsisoft (Phishing), Fortinet (Phishing), Netcraft (Malicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | Unauthorized online purchases, changed online account passwords, identity theft, illegal access of the computer. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive emails, rogue online pop-up ads, search engine poisoning techniques, misspelled domains. |
| Damage | Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Malwarebytes. |
Phishing emails can be used to trick recipients into providing other information, such as usernames, passwords, email addresses, or other login credentials, or installing malware (e.g., ransomware, Trojans) too. More examples of phishing emails are "Synchronize Mail Error Email Scam", "Banco De Espana Email Scam", "Energias de Portugal (EDP) Email Virus", "Ministero Dello Sviluppo Economico Email Virus". What most of these scams have in common is that they look like they are from a bank, a credit card company, telecommunications company, courier, email service provider or other entity and contain a website link or attachment (like a fake invoice or another document).
How do spam campaigns infect computers?
As a rule, phishing emails that are used to deliver malware contain a download link for a malicious file or a malicious attachment. Typically, cybercriminals attempt to trick recipients into opening a PDF or Microsoft Office document, JavaScript file, an executable file (like .exe), ZIP, RAR, or another archive file that is designed to install specific malicious software. It is worthwhile to mention that documents opened with Microsoft Office 2010 do not install malware unless users enable malicious macros (editing or content). However, documents opened with MS Office versions that were released prior to 2010 infect systems without any further interference from the users. It is because older versions do not have the "Protected View" mode, which prevents malicious documents from installing malware automatically.
How to avoid installation of malware?
Attachments and links in irrelevant emails that are received from unknown, suspicious senders should not be opened. Even if such emails look like they are sent from legitimate companies. Very often emails of this kind are used to trick recipients into providing sensitive information or infecting computers with malware. Files and programs should be downloaded from official websites and via direct links. Third party downloaders, installers, unofficial websites, Peer-to-Peer networks, free file hosting sites, etc., should not be used. Already installed programs have to be updated or activated properly: using implemented functions or tools that are provided by their official developers. It is never to use third party, unofficial updating or 'cracking' tools. Moreover, it is not legal to use unofficial tools to activate licensed software or use pirated ('cracked') programs. Also, it is advisable to use a reputable antivirus or anti-spyware software and run scans with it regularly. If you've already opened malicious attachments, we recommend running a scan with Malwarebytes for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.
Text in the email:
Subject: Confe rmare il rimbor so di fattura
TIM
Gentile cliente:
ABBIAMO notato Che hai pagato la Fattura Nello Stesso tempo Due volte.
Riferimento : TIM - 00722-85
Si prega di compilare il modulo e confermare il rimborso
Confermare il rimborso
Ti aspettiamo presto suhxxps://www.tim.it/assistenzai
Grazie da TIM.
©2021 Telecom Italia - Partita IVA: 00488410010
Appearance of the fake TIM website (refund form) (GIF):
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Malwarebytes is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Malwarebytes
By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Malwarebytes. 14 days free trial available.
Quick menu:
- What is TIM email scam?
- STEP 1. Manual removal of possible malware infections.
- STEP 2. Check if your computer is clean.
How to remove malware manually?
Manual malware removal is a complicated task - usually it is best to allow antivirus or anti-malware programs to do this automatically. To remove this malware we recommend using Malwarebytes for Windows. If you wish to remove malware manually, the first step is to identify the name of the malware that you are trying to remove. Here is an example of a suspicious program running on a user's computer:
If you checked the list of programs running on your computer, for example, using task manager, and identified a program that looks suspicious, you should continue with these steps:
Download a program called Autoruns. This program shows auto-start applications, Registry, and file system locations:
Restart your computer into Safe Mode:
Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Start your computer in Safe Mode. Click Start, click Shut Down, click Restart, click OK. During your computer start process, press the F8 key on your keyboard multiple times until you see the Windows Advanced Option menu, and then select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Video showing how to start Windows 7 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Windows 8 users: Start Windows 8 is Safe Mode with Networking - Go to Windows 8 Start Screen, type Advanced, in the search results select Settings. Click Advanced startup options, in the opened "General PC Settings" window, select Advanced startup. Click the "Restart now" button. Your computer will now restart into the "Advanced Startup options menu". Click the "Troubleshoot" button, and then click the "Advanced options" button. In the advanced option screen, click "Startup settings". Click the "Restart" button. Your PC will restart into the Startup Settings screen. Press F5 to boot in Safe Mode with Networking.
Video showing how to start Windows 8 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Windows 10 users: Click the Windows logo and select the Power icon. In the opened menu click "Restart" while holding "Shift" button on your keyboard. In the "choose an option" window click on the "Troubleshoot", next select "Advanced options". In the advanced options menu select "Startup Settings" and click on the "Restart" button. In the following window you should click the "F5" button on your keyboard. This will restart your operating system in safe mode with networking.
Video showing how to start Windows 10 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Extract the downloaded archive and run the Autoruns.exe file.
In the Autoruns application, click "Options" at the top and uncheck "Hide Empty Locations" and "Hide Windows Entries" options. After this procedure, click the "Refresh" icon.
Check the list provided by the Autoruns application and locate the malware file that you want to eliminate.
You should write down its full path and name. Note that some malware hides process names under legitimate Windows process names. At this stage, it is very important to avoid removing system files. After you locate the suspicious program you wish to remove, right click your mouse over its name and choose "Delete".
After removing the malware through the Autoruns application (this ensures that the malware will not run automatically on the next system startup), you should search for the malware name on your computer. Be sure to enable hidden files and folders before proceeding. If you find the filename of the malware, be sure to remove it.
Reboot your computer in normal mode. Following these steps should remove any malware from your computer. Note that manual threat removal requires advanced computer skills. If you do not have these skills, leave malware removal to antivirus and anti-malware programs. These steps might not work with advanced malware infections. As always it is best to prevent infection than try to remove malware later. To keep your computer safe, install the latest operating system updates and use antivirus software.
To be sure your computer is free of malware infections, we recommend scanning it with Malwarebytes for Windows.
Outstanding!
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