Threatening ‘Final Notice – Outstanding Account’ Emails Contain JavaScript Malware
The original site is no longer online; links go to the Internet Archive copy.
The claim
‘Final Notice’ email claims that, despite numerous requests, you have failed to pay an outstanding debt and the sender will therefore commence legal proceedings if you do not pay by a specified date.
Subject: FINAL NOTICE – OUTSTANDING ACCOUNT
Dear Client,We are writing concerning the amount of $2793.82 which was due to be paid on 01.05.2016 and, despite numerous requests for payment, remains outstanding. Details attached to this email. We demand that payment of the full amount be paid to us on or before 10.05.2016. If this account is not resolved by the specified date we reserve the right to commence legal proceedings to recover the debt without further notice to you, and you may be responsible for any associated legal fees or collection costs. If you wish to prevent this, please contact the undersigned as a matter of urgency and settle your account before the above date.
Regards,
[Name Removed]
Managing Director
What the fact-checkers found
The email is not a legitimate request for an outstanding payment and the attached.zip file does not contain payment details as claimed. Instead, the attachment contains a malicious JavaScript (.js) file that, if opened, can download and install malware on your computer.
This rather threatening ‘Final Notice’ email claims that you have not settled an outstanding account despite numerous previous requests for payment. It warns that legal action will be taken to recover the debt if it is not paid in full by a specified date. You can supposedly access details about the outstanding account by opening an attached file.
However, the email is not a genuine request for payment and the attached.zip file does not contain account information as claimed. If you open the attached.zip file, you will find that it contains a JavaScript (.js) file. If you then open the.js file in the hope of viewing the promised account information, a malicious JavaScript will run. The script will download and install malware on your computer.
The exact nature of this malware may vary. Malicious JavaScript files have recently been used to instal Locky Ransomware. They have also been used to install other types of malware that can steal information such as online banking login details from infected computers.
The criminals responsible for this attack bank on the fact that at least a few people will be panicked or angered into opening the attachment without due caution. This version is just one in an ongoing series of bill, banking, and invoice related emails that contain JavaScript malware. Very similar variants of the above email have the subject line ‘Third Reminder – Outstanding Account’.
Details, such as the amount of money supposedly owing, the name of the sending staff member, and the name of the attachment may also vary in different versions of these emails.
If you receive one of these emails, do not open any attachments or click any links that it contains.
Got a similar message?
Paste it into the detector and see whether it matches a known hoax.
Check a similar message