Have you ever clicked an “Unsubscribe” link in a spammy email, only to land on a suspicious website? Cybercriminals are now hijacking unsubscribe buttons to trick users into visiting phishing pages that steal passwords, credit card details, and personal data.
This new tactic makes even legitimate-looking emails dangerous. Here’s how the scam works, red flags to watch for, and how to protect yourself.
How Fake “Unsubscribe” Links Trick You
Scammers send mass marketing-style emails (fake promotions, newsletters, or shipping notices) with a malicious “Unsubscribe” link. When clicked, it can:
- Redirect to a phishing site mimicking a real service (e.g., Amazon, PayPal).
- Trigger malware downloads (keyloggers, ransomware).
- Confirm your email is active, leading to more spam & attacks.
Example of a Dangerous Unsubscribe Scam:
“You’ve been subscribed to Premium News! Click [here] to unsubscribe.”
(Link leads to “secure-unsubscribe[.]com” – a fake page asking for login details.)
How to Spot a Fake Unsubscribe Link
✅ Check the sender’s email – Does it match the company’s official domain? (e.g., @amazon.com vs. *@amaz0n-offers.com*)
✅ Hover over the link – Does the URL look suspicious? (e.g., http://unsubscribe[.]biz instead of the brand’s real site)
✅ Look for poor grammar – Phishing emails often have spelling mistakes.
✅ Avoid login prompts – Legitimate unsubscribe pages won’t ask for passwords.
How to Safely Unsubscribe from Emails
- Use the sender’s official website – Manually visit the company’s site and unsubscribe from their settings.
- Mark as spam – If the email looks fake, report it in Gmail/Outlook instead of clicking anything.
- Use email filters – Automatically block senders from unknown domains.
- Install a phishing detector – Browser extensions like Bitdefender TrafficLight flag malicious links.
What to Do If You Clicked a Fake Link
- Do NOT enter any information – Close the tab immediately.
- Scan for malware – Use Malwarebytes or Windows Defender.
- Change passwords – If you typed any credentials, update them ASAP.
- Enable 2FA – Add an extra security layer to your accounts.
Why This Scam Is Growing
- Easier to fool users – People trust unsubscribe links more than random attachments.
- Harder to detect – Unlike obvious spam, these emails look like legit newsletters.
- Profitable for hackers – A single phishing page can steal hundreds of logins daily.