How to Deal With “Standard Bank – VAT Increase” Phishing Email Scam

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Cybercriminals are once again impersonating trusted financial institutions to steal sensitive data. The latest phishing campaign titled “Standard Bank – VAT Increase” is a dangerous example of how legitimate-looking emails can lead to privacy violations, financial losses, and even identity theft. Although cleverly crafted, this email is not affiliated with Standard Bank Group Limited or any South African financial authority. Here’s what you need to know to recognize this threat and stay safe.

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⚠️ Threat Summary Table

Attribute	Details
Threat Name	“Standard Bank – VAT Increase”
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering
Fake Claim	VAT increase notification from Standard Bank
Disguise	Appears to be from Standard Bank Group Limited
Email Subject Example	Important update: VAT rate increase. – N-Q7t4v0Ur
Associated Domains	acc0untver1f1cationeasily[.]com
Detection Names	Combo Cleaner (Malware), Cluster25 (Phishing), CRDF (Malicious), etc.
Serving IP Address	104.21.36.189
Symptoms of Infection	Unrecognized bank transactions, changed passwords, identity theft
Damage	Account hijacking, monetary loss, privacy breaches
Distribution Methods	Phishing emails, malicious links, fake login pages
Danger Level	High

The Scam Email Explained

Victims receive an email titled something like:

Subject: Important update: VAT rate increase. – N-Q7t4v0Ur

Dear Customer,

Premium adjustment due to upcoming VAT increase

South Africa’s finance minister announced that the value-added tax (VAT) rate will increase from 15% to 15.5%, effective 1 May 2025

This legislated VAT increase will apply from your first premium payment due on or after 1 May 2025.

Please click here to view and access the VAT increase updates.

Get in touch
If you have any questions, please contact your financial adviser or call us on 0860 034 778.

Kind Regards,
Standard Bank

Although it appears professional, this email is entirely fraudulent. The goal is to trick recipients into clicking a link that leads to a fake login page, designed to steal Standard Bank credentials.

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What Happens If You Fall for It?

Clicking the link may direct you to a malicious website that mimics Standard Bank’s login page. If you enter your credentials, they are harvested and sent to cybercriminals, who can then:

• Access your banking profile
• Conduct unauthorized transactions
• Steal your identity
• Change your security settings and passwords

Even worse, some versions of these scams embed malware into the redirected site, further compromising your device and personal information.

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Why This Scam Is Dangerous

Unlike poorly written scams of the past, the “Standard Bank – VAT Increase” email is polished and believable. This makes it especially dangerous for both individuals and businesses, as it bypasses suspicion and exploits trust in well-known brands.

To make matters worse, the phishing site that once hosted the scam was taken down, but could easily reappear in future campaigns with active links and more refined impersonations.

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

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Final Thoughts

If you receive an email about VAT changes from a bank, verify it through official channels—never by clicking on a link inside the email. The real Standard Bank would not request sensitive information or login details via unsolicited emails.

The threat is clear: Always be skeptical of financial messages involving urgent updates, especially when they include login links. Phishing campaigns like these are getting more advanced—so staying informed is your first line of defense.