The “Messages Failed Report” scam is a deceptive email campaign targeting recipients by claiming that their messages failed to be delivered. These emails mimic legitimate failure notifications, tricking users into clicking malicious links or responding to fraudulent messages. In this article, we’ll dive into what this scam is, how it operates, and why it poses a real threat to your inbox and identity.
Threat Type Overview: Email Scam
This is a classic phishing/email scam, designed to harvest sensitive data or initiate malware downloads. The email typically warns of “failed messages” and urges the user to act—usually by clicking a link to “view” or “re-send” the undelivered message.
Scam Details Table
Category | Details |
---|---|
Threat Type | Email Scam / Phishing |
Associated Email Address | Frequently spoofed; may appear as support@service.com, mailer-daemon@[domain] |
Detection Names | Generic email phishing, “Failed Message” scam |
Symptoms of Infection | Suspicion of spoofed headers; links lead to fraudulent websites; requests for credentials |
Damage / Distribution | Drives to fake login pages or malware; can lead to credential theft and malware infection |
Danger Level | High risk from credential compromise and malware |
Removal Tool | SpyHunter – Download Here |
Scam Email Text
Below is a typical example of the fraudster’s email structure:
Subject: Messages Failed Report
Body:
Dear User,
Our system detected multiple delivery failures in your recent messages. To view the detailed report and resend failed messages, please click the link below:
[Resend Now]
If unauthorized, please update your account settings immediately to avoid service interruptions.
Regards,
Mail Delivery System
These messages often impersonate legitimate services and carry urgent, technical-sounding language to pressure users into action.
In-Depth Evaluation
How You Got Infected
You received an email purporting to come from your email provider or another trusted system. The message warns of undelivered emails and urges you to click a link or log in to view more details.
What It Does
Clicking the link typically leads to either:
- A fake login page, designed to steal your credentials.
- A malicious download, installing virus, trojan, or spyware on your device.
Once attackers have login access—or a foothold on your system—they can exfiltrate sensitive data, compromise other accounts, or deploy additional malware.
Should You Be Worried?
Yes. This scam can cause serious harm: complete account compromise, identity theft, data breach, even financial fraud. Clicking links or entering credentials is especially risky. You’re well-advised to delete the email immediately, avoid any interaction, and run a full system scan if you suspect infection.
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.
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
- Visit the official SpyHunter download page: Download SpyHunter
- Click “Download” and save the file.
Step 2: Install SpyHunter
- Open the downloaded file (SpyHunter-Installer.exe).
- Follow the on-screen installation instructions.
- Once installed, launch SpyHunter.
Step 3: Perform a Full System Scan
- Open SpyHunter and go to “Malware/PC Scan”.
- Click “Start Scan Now” to begin scanning.
- SpyHunter will detect threats linked to email scams.
Step 4: Review and Remove Detected Threats
- After the scan completes, SpyHunter will display a list of detected threats.
- Click "Fix Threats" to remove them.
- 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".
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.
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
The “Messages Failed Report” scam is a high-impact phishing effort exploiting urgency and trust. To guard against it, never click suspicious links, verify the sender’s real email address, and ensure you use strong, unique passwords. If you suspect you’ve fallen victim, immediately change any affected passwords and scan your system with robust malware removal tools.