Do not trust the Rabobank email scam

What is "Rabobank email scam"?

It is common that scammers send fraudulent emails to trick recipients into providing sensitive information (for example, credit card details, login credentials, social security numbers), transferring money. Typically, they pretend to be legitimate companies (for example, banks, couriers, telecommunications, and internet service providers) to give legitimacy to their emails.

Scammers behind this scam pretend to be Rabobank, a Dutch multinational banking and financial services company. It is likely that the purpose of this scam campaign is to trick recipients into providing login credentials for Rabobank account.

"Rabobank" email scam overview

Scammers behind this scam claim that a recipient uses an outdated and soon no longer supported Rabo Scanner. They also claim that without the new scanner, it will be impossible to log into the Rabobank online banking account, make transactions using the debit card, withdraw money or use the account for any other daily banking activities.

Scammers urge a recipient to make a request for a new Rabo Scanner so that he or she could continue using Rabobank payment services. This email has a website link. It is likely that scammers use it to trick a recipient into entering Rabobank login credentials such as the account number, card number, PIN, login code.

It is important to know that scammers are likely to use stolen banking-related login credentials to make fraudulent purchases and transactions. It is also common that cybercriminals sell stolen sensitive information to third parties (other cybercriminals).

It is noteworthy that when scammers manage to steal login credentials for email, social media or other accounts, they try to use them to log into other accounts. Since there are people who use the same login credentials for multiple accounts, cybercriminals have more chances to hijack those other accounts too.

Spam campaigns in general

In conclusion, recipients who fall for scams like this lose access to their accounts, suffer monetary loss, become victims of identity theft, encounter problems related to online privacy, and other issues. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to carefully analyze received emails asking to log into personal accounts or provide sensitive information.

More examples of similar scams are "EuroLine Windows Exchange", "Standard Bank Financial Consultancy (SBFC)", and "System Administrator Quota Update". It is important to know that email can be used as a channel to deliver malware via an attached file or website link.

How do spam campaigns infect computers?

Email used to deliver malware usually contains a malicious attachment or a download website for a malicious file. In one way or another, the main purpose of such email is to trick a recipient into opening a malicious file designed to install malware on the operating system.

As a rule, cybercriminals behind such emails disguise them as important letters from legitimate companies, organizations, or other entities. A couple of examples of files that can be used to deliver malware via email are Microsoft Office, PDF documents, EXE and other executable files, JavaScript files, RAR, ZIP, or other archive files.

Malicious documents opened with Microsoft Office 2010 and newer versions do not install malware unless they are allowed to enable macros commands (editing/content). However, older MS Office versions do not have the "Protected View" mode.

Therefore, documents opened with older versions install malware without asking a user to enable macros (or editing, content).

How to avoid installation of malware?

Attachments (and website links) in received emails that are not relevant and are sent from an unknown, suspicious address should not be opened. It is very common that such emails are disguised as important, urgent letters from legitimate companies and contain malicious links, files.

Files and programs should be downloaded from official pages and through direct links. It is common that other sources for downloading files or programs are used to distribute malware.

Examples of sources that should not be used are third-party downloaders, unofficial websites, Peer-to-Peer networks (like torrent clients, eMule), free file hosting pages. Unofficial, fake software updating or activation tools should not be trusted too.

In most cases, those tools do not update or activate any installed software. They are designed by cybercriminals and used to distribute malicious software.

Moreover, it is not legal to activate licensed software with unofficial ('cracking') tools. Installed software has to be updated and activated with implemented functions or tools created by the official developers.

Additionally, it is recommended to run virus scans on a regular basis. They should be performed using a reputable antivirus or anti-spyware software.

If you've already opened malicious attachments, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.

Text presented in the Rabobank email scam:

Subject: Laatste herinnering: Uw aanvraag is nog niet voltooid (ref. 1-108-130169130)

Rabobank

Veilig blijven bankieren
Regel uw bankzaken op tijd
 

Geachte relatie,

Uit ons klantensysteem is naar voren gekomen dat u tot op heden nog actief gebruikmaakt van de verouderd en binnenkort niet meer ondersteund Rabo Scanner.

Wat betekent dit voor u?
Dit betekent dat u op korte termijn niet meer kunt inloggen in uw Rabo Online Bankieren om uw dagelijkse bankzaken te regelen, betalen met uw betaalpas of geld kunt opnemen van uw betaalrekening(en) bij de Rabobank.

Nieuwe Rabo Scanner aanvragen
Wij verzoeken u dringend om kosteloos een nieuwe Rabo Scanner aan te vragen, zodat u veilig kunt blijven betalen met uw Rabo Scanner en gebruik kunt blijven maken van de betaaldiensten van de Rabobank. Dit kunt u het snelst en veilig doen via rabobank.nl/rabo-scanner-aanvragen. Uw nieuwe Rabo Scanner wordt binnen enkele dagen naar u toegestuurd.

Heeft u nog vragen?
Neem gerust contact met ons op. Wij helpen u graag!

Alvast hartelijk dank voor uw medewerking.

Met vriendelijke groet,
Rabobank
 
Youtube     LinkedIn     Facebook     Instagram     Twitter     Rabobank

Other examples of Rabobank-themed spam emails used to promote a phishing website:

Sample 1:

Text presented within:

Subject: RAẞOẞANK

 

Hallo,

U heeft (1) een belangrijk bericht in uw beveiligde mailbox

Bekijk het door op de ondersdtaande link te klikken:

Controleer mijn berichten >>
Agradeciendo su confianza, reciba un cordial saludo.

Rabobank

Dit bericht is automatisch verzonden, reageer er niet op.

Rabobankois een financiëleoinstellingointernationale deobancassuranco d'origineoneerlandaise, opgericht in 1972 door de fusie van de banken Coöperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Bank en Coöperatieve Centrale Boerenleenbank. De par een structuur, c'est une coopérative

Vos commandes  |      Votre compte  |      Amazon.fr

Sample 2:

Text presented within:

Subject: Laatste waarschuwing! Vervang uw Rabo Scanner!

Rabobank

Geachte heer/mevrouw,

Uw huidige Rabo Scanner voldoet niet meer aan de standaard eisen van de Rabobank en komt hierdoor binnenkort te vervallen.
We adviseren u om uw nieuwe Rabo Scanner binnen 2 werkdagen op te vragen om een blokkade te voorkomen.

Is uw scanner al geblokkeerd?
Dan kunt u in de tussentijd niet inloggen of betalen.

Kosten nieuwe scanner
Om uw nieuwe Rabo Scanner geheel kosteloos te ontvangen heeft u uiterst 2 dagen de tijd om de aanvraag in te dienen.
Dit kunt u doen door hier te klikken.
Na de genoemde datum brengen we 24,95 euro in rekening per Rabo Scanner.

Uw mening
Wat kunnen wij volgens u verbeteren? Geef hier uw mening.

Heeft u nog vragen? Neem gerust contact met ons op.

Met vriendelijke groet,
Afdeling bankzaken
Rabobank

Sample 3:

Text presented within:

Subject: Wijziging in de algemene voorwaarden van uw betaalpakket

Rabobank

Veranderingen in de diensten van Rabobank

Beste klant

Door onderzoek hebben wij geconstateerd dat u tot op heden nog geen gebruik heeft gemaakt van de nieuwe en beter beveiligde betaalpas en/of de diensten die Rabobank momenteel aan haar klanten verstrekt.

Wij verzoeken u over te stappen naar onze verbeterde betaalomgeving. Volg de onderstaande stappen om kosteloos gebruik te maken van het gemak van ons vernieuwde Rabo-betaalpakket:

Ga naar z2.ink/kosteloos-vervangen.(u kunt het uiteraard ook kopiëren en plakken) in uw browser en klikt op ''enter''.en start de overstapproces olg de gegeven stappen op uw beeldscherm om het overstapproces van uw betaalpakket succesvol af te ronden.
Uw Rabo-betaalpakket V2 is zojuist geactiveerd. U ontvangt uw nieuwe betaalpas en Rabo Scanner 2.0 binnen vijf werkdagen per post.

Wij hopen u voldoende geïnformeerd te hebben en zien u graag terug!

Met vriendelijke groet,

Rabobank

Instant automatic malware removal:

Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:

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 Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

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?

Spam emails are not personal; thousands of users receive identical (or incredibly similar) messages.

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

If you have provided your log-in credentials – immediately change the passwords of all possibly exposed accounts and inform their official support. However, if you have disclosed other private information (e.g., ID card details, passport photos/scans, credit card numbers, etc.) – contact relevant authorities without delay.

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

Merely opening/reading an email is harmless. Devices are infected when malicious attachments or links are opened/clicked.

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

Whether the system was infected might depend on the format of the opened file. Once opened, executables cause infections almost without fail. Some formats may need additional actions (e.g., enabling macros, clicking embedded content, etc.) to trigger malware infiltration processes.

Will Combo Cleaner remove malware infections present in email attachments?

Combo Cleaner is designed to scan systems and eliminate all manner of threats. It is capable of detecting and removing most of the known malware infections. Remember that since high-end malicious software usually hides deep within systems – running a full system scan is essential.