How to identify fake "Verify Mail Delivery Settings" emails

What kind of email is "Verify Mail Delivery Settings"?

After inspecting this "Verify Mail Delivery Settings" email, we determined that it is spam. It alerts the recipient that their email delivery service may have been affected by a configuration error. This phishing message aims to deceive recipients into revealing their account log-in credentials (passwords).

"Verify Mail Delivery Settings" email scam overview

The spam email with the subject "Action Required: Mail server configuration error detected — queued/delivery failures" (may vary) states that the recipient must verify their mail settings. Certain email accounts have encountered issues with mail delivery due to a configuration error.

Thus, the recipient may have pending messages. They are instructed to enter the linked "official support portal" and sign in with their log-in credentials to complete the settings check.

It must be emphasized that the information in this message is false, and this mail is not associated with any legitimate service providers or other entities.

The phishing site endorsed by this campaign imitates the recipient's email account sign-in page (screenshot of a Gmail imitator can be found below). Log-in credentials entered into this webpage are recorded and sent to scammers.

Hijacked emails can be variously abused; scammers may even attempt to steal connected accounts, platforms, and services (e.g., social networking, social media, messengers, entertainment, e-commerce, money transferring, online banking, etc.). The motivation behind targeting work accounts is often to infect the corporate network with trojans, ransomware, and malware.

Scammers can steal the account owner's identity and request loans or donations from contacts/friends/followers, promote scams, and proliferate malware by sharing malicious links or files. Stolen finance-related accounts can be used to make unauthorized transactions or online purchases.

In summary, by trusting an email like "Verify Mail Delivery Settings" – users can experience severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

If you have already disclosed your log-in credentials – change the passwords of all potentially compromised accounts and contact their official support without delay.

Phishing spam campaign examples

We have investigated thousands of spam emails; "Security Info Replacement", "Roundcube Notifications", and "Account Accessed From An Unfamiliar IP Address" are just a couple of our newest articles on phishing campaigns. Commonly targeted data includes log-in credentials, personally identifiable data, and financial information.

Spam emails are often poorly written and riddled with mistakes, but they can be competently put together and believably disguised as messages from legitimate entities. Due to how prevalent spam mail is and how well-made they can be – we highly recommend vigilance with incoming emails, PMs/DMs, SMSes, and other messages.

How do spam campaigns infect computers?

Spam campaigns distribute malware through virulent files that can be attached to or linked inside them. These files come in various formats, including documents (PDF, Microsoft Office, Microsoft OneNote, etc.), archives (ZIP, RAR, etc.), executables (EXE, RUN, etc.), JavaScript, and so on.

Once a malicious file is opened – the infection chain is jumpstarted. However, some formats need additional interaction to initiate malware download/installation. For example, Microsoft Office files require users to enable macro commands (i.e., editing/content), while OneNote documents need them to click on embedded links or files.

How to avoid installation of malware?

We strongly advise vigilance with incoming emails and other communications. Attachments or links found in suspect/irrelevant mail must not be opened, as they can be infectious.

However, malware is spread using various methods. Therefore, we recommend being careful when browsing since the Internet is rife with deceptive and dangerous content.

Additionally, all downloads must be performed from official and verified sources. Another recommendation is to activate and update software using genuine functions/tools, as illegal activation ("cracking") tools and third-party updates can contain malware.

It is paramount to have a reputable antivirus installed and kept up-to-date. Security programs must be used to run regular system scans and to remove detected threats and issues. 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 "Verify Mail Delivery Settings" spam email letter:

Subject: Action Required: Mail server configuration error detected — queued/delivery failures

Action Required: Verify Mail Delivery Settings

Hello ********,

Our system detected a configuration error that temporarily affected message delivery for some accounts. A few of your messages may still be pending delivery. To ensure uninterrupted mail flow, please verify your mail delivery settings.

Open Mail Settings

This link opens official support portal. You will be asked to sign in with your usual company credentials to complete the check.

If you have any trouble, please contact the IT Support Desk at support.********/mail-settings.

Thank you,
IT Support Team — ********

Screenshot of the phishing website promoted by the "Verify Mail Delivery Settings" spam campaign:

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.

Quick menu:

• What is "Verify Mail Delivery Settings" phishing email?
• Types of malicious emails.
• How to spot a malicious email?
• What to do if you fell for an email scam?

Types of malicious emails:

Phishing Emails

Most commonly, cybercriminals use deceptive emails to trick Internet users into giving away their sensitive private information, for example, login information for various online services, email accounts, or online banking information.

Such attacks are called phishing. In a phishing attack, cybercriminals usually send an email message with some popular service logo (for example, Microsoft, DHL, Amazon, Netflix), create urgency (wrong shipping address, expired password, etc.), and place a link which they hope their potential victims will click on.

After clicking the link presented in such email message, victims are redirected to a fake website that looks identical or extremely similar to the original one. Victims are then asked to enter their password, credit card details, or some other information that gets stolen by cybercriminals.

Emails with Malicious Attachments

Another popular attack vector is email spam with malicious attachments that infect users' computers with malware. Malicious attachments usually carry trojans that are capable of stealing passwords, banking information, and other sensitive information.

In such attacks, cybercriminals' main goal is to trick their potential victims into opening an infected email attachment. To achieve this goal, email messages usually talk about recently received invoices, faxes, or voice messages.

If a potential victim falls for the lure and opens the attachment, their computers get infected, and cybercriminals can collect a lot of sensitive information.

While it's a more complicated method to steal personal information (spam filters and antivirus programs usually detect such attempts), if successful, cybercriminals can get a much wider array of data and can collect information for a long period of time.

Sextortion Emails

This is a type of phishing. In this case, users receive an email claiming that a cybercriminal could access the webcam of the potential victim and has a video recording of one's masturbation.

To get rid of the video, victims are asked to pay a ransom (usually using Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency). Nevertheless, all of these claims are false - users who receive such emails should ignore and delete them.

How to spot a malicious email?

While cyber criminals try to make their lure emails look trustworthy, here are some things that you should look for when trying to spot a phishing email:

• Check the sender's ("from") email address: Hover your mouse over the "from" address and check if it's legitimate. For example, if you received an email from Microsoft, be sure to check if the email address is @microsoft.com and not something suspicious like @m1crosoft.com, @microsfot.com, @account-security-noreply.com, etc.
• Check for generic greetings: If the greeting in the email is "Dear user", "Dear @youremail.com", "Dear valued customer", this should raise suspiciousness. Most commonly, companies call you by your name. Lack of this information could signal a phishing attempt.
• Check the links in the email: Hover your mouse over the link presented in the email, if the link that appears seems suspicious, don't click it. For example, if you received an email from Microsoft and the link in the email shows that it will go to firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0... you shouldn't trust it. It's best not to click any links in the emails but to visit the company website that sent you the email in the first place.
• Don't blindly trust email attachments: Most commonly, legitimate companies will ask you to log in to their website and to view any documents there; if you received an email with an attachment, it's a good idea to scan it with an antivirus application. Infected email attachments are a common attack vector used by cybercriminals.

To minimise the risk of opening phishing and malicious emails we recommend using Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows. 

Example of a spam email:

What to do if you fell for an email scam?

• If you clicked on a link in a phishing email and entered your password - be sure to change your password as soon as possible. Usually, cybercriminals collect stolen credentials and then sell them to other groups that use them for malicious purposes. If you change your password in a timely manner, there's a chance that criminals won't have enough time to do any damage.
• If you entered your credit card information - contact your bank as soon as possible and explain the situation. There's a good chance that you will need to cancel your compromised credit card and get a new one.
• If you see any signs of identity theft - you should immediately contact the Federal Trade Commission. This institution will collect information about your situation and create a personal recovery plan.
• If you opened a malicious attachment - your computer is probably infected, you should scan it with a reputable antivirus application. For this purpose, we recommend using  Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.
• Help other Internet users - report phishing emails to Anti-Phishing Working Group, FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, National Fraud Information Center and U.S. Department of Justice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why did I receive this email?

Spam emails are not personal, even if they include information of this nature. These messages are sent out in massive campaigns – therefore, thousands of users receive identical or incredibly similar emails.

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

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

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

Reading an email does not pose a direct infection threat; systems are compromised 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 device was infected might depend on the format of the opened file. Executables cause infections almost without fail (once opened). However, some formats – like documents – might need additional actions (e.g., enabling macros, clicking embedded content, etc.) to jumpstart malware infiltration.

Will Combo Cleaner remove malware infections present in email attachments?

Combo Cleaner is designed to scan computers and remove all kinds of threats. It is capable of detecting and eliminating most of the known malware infections. Remember that performing a full system scan is essential since sophisticated malicious programs usually hide deep within systems.