My spam folders are currently getting hammered by spam emails with subject lines claiming that I have unread messages. The bodies of the emails consist of a single clickable word or phrase such as “Surprise” or “Click here”.
Spammers often use such simple tactics to get people to click their links. And, given the amount of spam that hits inboxes all around the world, these tactics must pay off for those who distribute it.
Clicking the link in the emails opens a decidedly dodgy website that peddles dubious health-related products.
The spammers rely on the fact that at least a few recipients will click on the link out of curiosity or concern. And, apparently, some of those who do click go ahead and risk their financial security by purchasing products on the spam website with their credit cards.
If one of these spam messages hits your inbox, don’t help the spammer by clicking. Instead, hit your delete key.
Note that online criminals also use fake “Unread message” emails to trick people into visiting phishing websites or downloading malware.
A screenshot of one of the spam emails:
Importance Notice
After considerable thought and with an ache in my heart, I have decided that the time has come to close down the Hoax-Slayer website.These days, the site does not generate enough revenue to cover expenses, and I do not have the financial resources to sustain it going forward.
Moreover, I now work long hours in a full-time and physically taxing job, so maintaining and managing the website and publishing new material has become difficult for me.
And finally, after 18 years of writing about scams and hoaxes, I feel that it is time for me to take my fingers off the keyboard and focus on other projects and pastimes.
When I first started Hoax-Slayer, I never dreamed that I would still be working on the project all these years later or that it would become such an important part of my life. It's been a fantastic and engaging experience and one that I will always treasure.
I hope that my work over the years has helped to make the Internet a little safer and thwarted the activities of at least a few scammers and malicious pranksters.
A Big Thank You
I would also like to thank all of those wonderful people who have supported the project by sharing information from the site, contributing examples of scams and hoaxes, offering suggestions, donating funds, or helping behind the scenes.I would especially like to thank David White for his tireless contribution to the Hoax-Slayer Facebook Page over many years. David's support has been invaluable, and I can not thank him enough.
Closing Date
Hoax-Slayer will still be around for a few weeks while I wind things down. The site will go offline on May 31, 2021. While I will not be publishing any new posts, you can still access existing material on the site until the date of closure.Thank you, one and all!
Brett Christensen,
Hoax-Slayer
