A new phishing scam has emerged involving emails with a deceptive “Final Release Waiver” attachment. The emails pretend the recipient must sign a document attached, but it actually links to a fraudulent website to steal Microsoft account credentials. This article will break down how to identify and avoid this waiver phishing scam.
Understanding the “Final Release Waiver” Email Scam
The scam starts with victims receiving an unsolicited email with no context in the body, a vague subject line like “Final Release Waiver,” and an attached Word document.
The attached document is titled something like “Waiver and Release Form” or “Severance Agreement” to sound official. However, clicking to open it leads to a fake Microsoft Office 365 login page rather than any waiver.
This phishing page mimics the real Microsoft sign-in portal, including using Microsoft’s blue theme, logos, and graphics. An accompanying message urges you to sign in to access the document.
Once victims enter their Microsoft email and password, the credentials are stolen by the scammers to compromise Office 365 accounts, OneDrive files, Outlook emails, and more. The fake waiver merely serves as bait to capture login details.
No legitimate reason exists for someone to suddenly receive waiver or release forms unprompted via email from an unknown sender. Any such unexpected emails should be considered highly suspicious.
Here is how the “Final Release Waiver” email typically looks:
Subject: Final Release Waiver
Please sign, date, and return the Final Release Waiver attached.
The complete version of this receipt has been attached to this
Spotting Red Flags in the “Final Release Waiver” Phishing Attempt
Here are some indicators an email with a waiver attachment is a phishing attempt:
- It arrives completely unsolicited and out of context from an unfamiliar sender.
- No details are included explaining why you must sign a waiver or release form.
- The attached document is a generic filename like “Waiver.docx” with no additional details.
- The email tries creating a false sense of urgency to open the attachment quickly.
- Clicking the attachment leads to a login page instead of a document.
- The login portal has a suspicious URL and domain name, not Microsoft’s real sites.
- Spelling, grammar, or formatting seems off compared to a professional corporate release form.
- Your name, the company named, or other specifics are inaccurate or missing from the attached waiver file name.
If an alleged waiver attachment sets off any warning signs, do not open it or enter login credentials on the site. Report the message to your email provider’s phishing and spam departments.
Tactics Used in the “Final Release Waiver” Phishing Scam
Here are some of the deceptive tactics scammers use when orchestrating this scam:
- Making the email appear to come from a legitimate business domain via spoofed sender addresses
- Referencing a generic waiver, severance, or nondisclosure agreement to sound plausible
- Providing fake context that you must urgently e-sign an important attached document
- Naming the attached Word file something vague like “Agreement” or “Release Form”
- Usingpopularity of Microsoft Office and OneDrive to get account logins
- Leveraging urgency and fear of missing a deadline to sign the fake document
- Employing authentic Microsoft branding, colors, and design on the phishing portal
- Registering lookalike domains like “microsoft-365portal.com” to avoid detection
- Relying on victims’panic to access the fake waiver urgently, lowering skepticism of the login page
These tactics combine to drive targets to open the deceptive waiver attachment and input their Microsoft account credentials without thinking first.
What to Do If You Entered Your Login Details
If you supplied your Microsoft login email and password into one of the phishing sites, take these actions immediately:
- Log into your real Microsoft account and enable two-factor authentication for added security.
- Change your Microsoft password to a new, complex one that the scammers don’t have.
- Check your sent emails, OneDrive, Sharepoint, etc. for any signs of unauthorized access and report any suspicious activity.
- Review Microsoft account activity for any potential compromised devices, suspicious IP locations, or unfamiliar app connections.
- Consider creating a fresh Microsoft account and migrating your OneDrive files and emails if malware was downloaded.
- Run antivirus scans on the device used to click the waiver attachment to check for infections.
- Monitor all accounts connected to the Microsoft login email for fraudulent activity stemming from the compromised credentials.
Avoiding the “Final Release Waiver” Scam
Here are some tips to avoid becoming victimized by fake document phishing emails:
- Never open attachments from unsolicited or unknown senders. Verify legality first.
- Check for slight email domain spelling differences like “micorsoft365” instead of “microsoft365”.
- If asked to urgently sign a document, call the company to confirm it’s real before opening attachments.
- Double check the actual attachment file name for accuracy if supposedly sent directly to you.
- Be skeptical of threats if you don’t open and sign an attachment sent out of the blue.
- Look for grammar and spelling errors uncharacteristic of official agreements and waivers.
- Pay attention to any brower URL misspellings or use of HTTP instead of HTTPS when directed to sites.
Staying vigilant against surprise waiver and document attachments helps avoid having your credentials phished through this scam.
Is Your Device Infected? Run a Free Malware Scan
Slow performance, constant pop-ups, or strange behavior? These are classic signs of a malware infection. A quick way to check is to scan your device with Malwarebytes Free, one of the most trusted malware removal tools available. If you only visited a scam page and didn’t download or install anything, this scan is optional.
The free version detects and removes the most common threats, including:
- Adware — the cause of those annoying pop-ups
- Browser hijackers — unwanted redirects and changed homepages
- Trojans and spyware — hidden programs stealing your data
- Potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) — software you never asked for
👉 Select your device below — Windows, Mac, or Android — then follow the simple steps to download Malwarebytes, scan your system, and remove any threats it finds. The scan usually takes 5 to 20 minutes.
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Windows
Malwarebytes is one of the most popular and trusted anti-malware tools for Windows — and it’s completely free for removing infections. It catches threats that many antivirus programs miss, including adware, browser hijackers, and trojans. Follow the steps below to scan your PC and remove what Malwarebytes finds.
Download Malwarebytes
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows from the official source. The free version is all you need — it will scan your computer and remove adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious software at no cost.
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for Windows 11 and 10. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium
Malwarebytes Free for WindowsScans and removes malware at no cost-
Install Malwarebytes
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the MBSetup file. If Windows shows a User Account Control pop-up, click “Yes” to allow the installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The setup wizard will walk you through a few quick screens:
-
Choose where you’re installing the program — “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” — then click Next.
-
Malwarebytes will now install on your device. This usually takes under a minute.
-
When installation is complete, the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen will open automatically.
-
On the final screen, click Open Malwarebytes to launch the program.
-
Optional: Check for rootkits with a Custom Scan
You don’t need to change any settings for a normal scan. The standard Threat Scan in the next step is enough for most problems, so you can go straight to it.
If you also want to check for rootkits, use a Custom Scan. In current versions of Malwarebytes, rootkit scanning is only available there:
- On the Scanner tile, click the three-dot menu and select Advanced Scan.
- Choose Custom Scan. In its options, check Scan for rootkits.
- Select your system drive (usually C:\) as the location to scan, then start the scan. It takes longer than a Threat Scan.
- When it finishes, review and quarantine the results as described in the steps below.
Rootkit scanning isn’t available on Windows devices with ARM processors.
Start the Scan
Click the blue Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its virus database and start checking your computer for malware.
-
Wait for the Scan to Finish
The scan checks your entire system for browser hijackers and other malicious programs, so it can take 5 to 20 minutes depending on your computer. Feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
-
Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found — malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all of them at once.
Malwarebytes will now remove the malicious files and registry entries and move them safely into quarantine.
-
Restart Your Computer
Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot. If Malwarebytes asks you to restart, click Yes. Once you’re logged back in, Malwarebytes has finished removing the threats it found.
When the scan is done, check whether the problems you noticed have stopped. If they continue, see the options below.
If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
- Run a computer scan with ESET Online Scanner
- Ask for help in our Windows Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Mac
Malwarebytes for Mac is a free on-demand scanner that removes the malware other security software tends to miss — adware, browser hijackers, and unwanted programs included. Cleaning an infected Mac with Malwarebytes has always been completely free, and it’s our go-to recommendation. Follow the steps below to scan your Mac and remove what Malwarebytes finds.
-
Download Malwarebytes for Mac
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Mac.
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for macOS. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes PremiumMalwarebytes Free for MacScans and removes malware at no cost -
Open the Malwarebytes setup file
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the setup file to begin the installation.
-
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The Malwarebytes for Mac Installer will guide you through a few quick screens. Click “Continue” and keep following the prompts until the installation completes.
When the installation is complete, Malwarebytes opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click “Get started“.
Malwarebytes needs Full Disk Access to check your whole Mac. When it asks, open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access, turn on Malwarebytes (it may be listed as Malwarebytes Protection), and confirm with your password or Touch ID. Then return to Malwarebytes. On macOS Monterey and earlier, this setting is in System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy.
-
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”
Malwarebytes will ask what type of computer you’re installing it on. Click either Personal Computer or Work Computer, whichever applies.
-
Start the Scan
Click the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its detection database and begin checking your Mac for malware.
-
Wait for the Scan to Finish
Malwarebytes will scan your Mac for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This can take a few minutes, so feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
-
Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all the threats at once.
-
Restart Your Mac
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files it found. Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot — if Malwarebytes asks you to restart, allow it. Once you’re logged back in, check whether the problems you noticed have stopped. If they come back, save the scan report and ask for help in our forum.
If the problems you noticed continue after the scan, see the options below.
If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Android
Malwarebytes for Android scans your phone or tablet for malware, adware, and potentially unwanted apps. The free version scans only when you start a scan. Real-time protection, which checks apps automatically, is part of the paid Premium version.
-
Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
Get Malwarebytes for AndroidOpens Google Play in a new tab.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium for AndroidMalwarebytes for AndroidScans your phone and removes malware at no cost -
Install Malwarebytes for Android on your phone.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
-
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes opens, it walks you through a short setup. Tap Get started and follow the prompts. If you see an offer for a trial or a paid plan, read it before you accept. You can skip it and keep using the free scanner.
Malwarebytes will ask for permission to access the files on your phone so it can scan them. Tap Allow, or turn on the permission in the Android screen that opens, then return to Malwarebytes.
-
Run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
On the main screen, tap Scan now. In some versions, you open the menu, tap Scanner, and then tap Run a scan.
-
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
-
Remove the detected apps.
When the scan has been completed, you will see a list of the threats that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. Next to each detected item, tap the menu icon (three dots), then choose to uninstall the app or delete the file. Android then asks you to confirm. Tap OK or Uninstall to remove the app.
-
Restart your phone.
When the detected apps are removed, restart your phone if Malwarebytes asks you to. Then check whether the problems you noticed have stopped.
If the problems you noticed continue after the scan, see the options below.
If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
- Ask for help in our Mobile Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
- Only as a last resort, reset your phone to factory settings. Read the warning below first.
- Back up your photos, videos, files, and messages, for example to your Google account or a computer.
- Make sure you know your Google account email and password. The phone asks for them after the reset. If you changed the password recently, Google recommends waiting 24 hours before you reset.
- On a Samsung phone, also make sure you know your Samsung account password.
- If you use an authenticator app for two-step verification, move your accounts to another device or save your backup codes first.
Stay Protected: Block Ads and Malicious Sites
No scan can prove a device is completely clean, so it helps to block threats before they reach you. Most infections start with a malicious ad or a fake download button — so blocking them at the source is your best defense.
We recommend AdGuard, which blocks malicious ads, phishing pages, and dangerous redirects before they can reach you.
👉 Download AdGuard and browse safely
Conclusion
In summary, this phishing campaign sends fake emails with Word document attachments that instead redirect to credential-stealing login portals if opened. The scammers aim to trick Microsoft account holders into inputting their emails and passwords through urgency and deception. But legitimate companies will never suddenly demand you sign unsolicited legal waivers out of nowhere. Use caution opening any unexpected sensitive file attachments to protect yourself from having login credentials compromised through sophisticated phishing tactics.
Join the discussion
0 commentsShare your experience or ask a question about this article.
Discussion
Start the conversation
Have a question or something useful to share? Add the first comment.