Remove “Capital One – Purchase Was Charged To Your Account” Phishing Email Scam

Cybercriminals are once again targeting unsuspecting individuals with a new phishing campaign disguised as a legitimate Capital One email. The fraudulent email, titled “A purchase was charged to your Capital One account,” falsely claims that a $2,169.00 purchase has been made using the recipient’s Capital One account. The goal of this phishing scam is to trick users into clicking a malicious link that redirects them to a fake Capital One login page, where scammers steal their credentials.

Threat Summary

Name	“Capital One – Purchase Was Charged To Your Account” Phishing Email Scam
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	A $2,169.00 purchase was charged to the recipient’s Capital One account
Disguise	Pretends to be a legitimate Capital One notification
Related Domains	xn.kirzbil2.sa[.]com
Detection Names	Fortinet (Phishing), G-Data (Phishing), VirusTotal detections available
Symptoms	Unauthorized online purchases, changed account passwords, identity theft, illegal access to financial accounts
Damage	Loss of sensitive private information, financial loss, identity theft
Distribution Methods	Deceptive emails, rogue pop-up ads, search engine poisoning, misspelled domains
Danger Level	High

How the Scam Works

Victims receive an email that mimics official Capital One communication. The email falsely claims that a significant purchase has been made using their Capital One credit or debit account. It includes a “Sign In” button and a link directing users to view their “pending and posted transactions.” However, clicking on this link redirects users to a phishing website designed to steal their login credentials.

Cybercriminals then use the stolen credentials to gain access to financial accounts, make unauthorized transactions, and potentially commit identity theft.

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Text of the Phishing Email

Subject: A purchase was charged to your Capital One account.

Body:

Sign In
A purchase was charged to your account.

About your Capital One account.

As requested, we’re notifying you that on Date 6/3/2025 14:13:28 at United Airlines, a pending authorization or purchase in the amount of $2,169.00 was placed or charged on your Capital One account.

Note: You’ll receive this notification for both purchases and pending authorizations, such as car rentals, hotel reservations, and gas purchases, even if an actual transaction hasn’t taken place.

Please visit your account to view your pending and posted transactions.

This email is entirely fraudulent and designed to trick users into clicking on the embedded phishing link that steals login credentials.

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Why This Scam Is Dangerous

• Credential Theft: Users who enter their login details on the fake Capital One website unknowingly hand over their credentials to scammers.
• Financial Fraud: Stolen credentials can be used to drain bank accounts, make unauthorized purchases, or transfer money.
• Identity Theft: Personal and financial information can be exploited for identity fraud, including opening fraudulent accounts or committing cybercrimes in the victim’s name.
• Widespread Distribution: This phishing scam spreads through mass email campaigns, deceptive advertisements, and malicious websites.

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Manual Removal Guide: How to Identify and Remove Email Scams Yourself

Step 1: Recognizing Scam Emails

Before taking action, learn to identify email scams. Some common red flags include:

• Unknown Sender: Emails from unfamiliar addresses, especially if they claim to be from banks, tech support, or government agencies.
• Urgent or Threatening Language: Messages pressuring you to act quickly (e.g., “Your account will be suspended!”).
• Poor Grammar & Spelling Mistakes: Many scam emails contain grammatical errors.
• Suspicious Links or Attachments: Hover over links to check if they lead to an unusual website before clicking.
• Requests for Personal or Financial Information: Legitimate companies will never ask for sensitive details via email.

Step 2: Avoid Interacting with Scam Emails

If an email appears suspicious:

• Do NOT click on any links.
• Do NOT download attachments.
• Do NOT reply to the sender.

Step 3: Report the Email Scam

Reporting scam emails helps prevent others from falling victim to them:

• Gmail/Outlook/Yahoo Users: Click “Report Phishing” or “Report Spam” in your email client.
• FTC (U.S. users): Report scams to the FTC Complaint Assistant.
• Google Safe Browsing: Report phishing sites at Google’s Phishing Report.

Step 4: Block the Sender

To prevent further scam emails from the same sender:

• Gmail: Open the email, click the three dots, and select “Block [Sender Name]”.
• Outlook: Open the email, select “Junk” > “Block Sender”.
• Yahoo Mail: Click “More” > “Block Sender”.

Step 5: Check Your Accounts for Compromise

If you’ve interacted with a scam email:

• Change your passwords immediately. Use strong, unique passwords.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). Adds an extra security layer.
• Monitor your banking transactions for suspicious activity.

Step 6: Scan Your Device for Malware

If you accidentally clicked a link or downloaded a file, scan your system for malware:

• Windows Users (Windows Defender)
  • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection.
  • Click “Quick Scan” or “Full Scan”.
• Mac Users
  • Use security software like Malwarebytes for Mac to scan for threats.

Step 7: Strengthen Email Security

• Enable spam filtering in your email provider’s settings.
• Use a third-party spam filter such as Spamihilator or Mailwasher.
• Stay educated on phishing techniques to avoid falling for scams in the future.

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SpyHunter Removal Guide: Automated Solution for Email Scam Threats

SpyHunter is a powerful anti-malware tool designed to detect and remove phishing-related threats, Trojans, spyware, and other cyber threats. If you prefer a quick and automated solution, follow these steps:

Step 1: Download SpyHunter

1. Visit the official SpyHunter download page: Download SpyHunter
2. Click “Download” and save the file.

Step 2: Install SpyHunter

1. Open the downloaded file (SpyHunter-Installer.exe).
2. Follow the on-screen installation instructions.
3. Once installed, launch SpyHunter.

Step 3: Perform a Full System Scan

1. Open SpyHunter and go to “Malware/PC Scan”.
2. Click “Start Scan Now” to begin scanning.
3. SpyHunter will detect threats linked to email scams.

Step 4: Review and Remove Detected Threats

1. After the scan completes, SpyHunter will display a list of detected threats.
2. Click "Fix Threats" to remove them.
3. Restart your computer after removal.

Step 5: Enable Real-Time Protection

• Activate SpyHunter’s Active Guards for real-time malware protection.
• Schedule regular system scans for ongoing security.

Step 6: Keep SpyHunter Updated

• Regularly update SpyHunter to detect new threats.
• To update, go to "Settings" > "Update" and click "Check for Updates".

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How to Prevent Future Email Scams

To avoid falling for email scams in the future, follow these precautions:

Use a Secure Email Provider

Consider using encrypted email services like ProtonMail or Tutanota for enhanced security.

Avoid Clicking Suspicious Links

Always verify links before clicking by hovering over them to see the actual URL.

Use a VPN on Public Wi-Fi

Scammers can intercept your data on public networks. Use a VPN for secure browsing.

Regularly Change Your Passwords

Use a password manager to generate and store secure passwords.

Install Anti-Phishing Browser Extensions

Use security extensions like Bitdefender TrafficLight or Avast Online Security to detect phishing attempts.

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Email scams pose a significant risk to personal and financial security. By following this manual removal guide, you can effectively identify and remove scam emails. For those seeking a fast and automated approach, SpyHunter provides a reliable solution to detect and remove email scam-related threats.

Take Action Now

Protect your device from scam-related malware with SpyHunter: Download SpyHunter

Conclusion

This phishing campaign is highly dangerous and can result in severe financial and personal data loss. Users are advised to stay cautious and never click links in suspicious emails pretending to be from financial institutions.