Beware the FAKE DocuSign “Your Document Has Been Signed” Scam
Written by: Thomas Orsolya
Published on:
Imagine receiving an email that appears to be from DocuSign, a trusted electronic signature service, informing you that a crucial document related to the Paycheck Protection Program has been signed and is ready for your review. The email looks legitimate, complete with DocuSign’s branding and a sense of urgency, urging you to click on a link to access the document. But beware – this convincing email is actually a dangerous scam designed to steal your sensitive information or infect your device with malware.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into the DocuSign “Your Document Has Been Signed” email scam, uncovering how it works, what red flags to look for, and most importantly, how to protect yourself from falling victim to this deceptive scheme.
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Scam Overview
The DocuSign “Your Document Has Been Signed” email scam is a well-crafted attempt to deceive unsuspecting individuals into believing that they have a signed document waiting for their review. The email appears to originate from DocuSign, a legitimate and widely-used electronic signature service, which adds to its credibility. The scammers behind this scheme have gone to great lengths to make the email look authentic, including DocuSign’s branding, a subject line that reads “Your Document Has Been Signed,” and even a security code to access the supposed document.
The email’s body typically contains a message stating that all parties have completed the Paycheck Protection Program Confirmation and that the recipient should click on a link to view the completed document. To further entice the recipient, the email may mention that the link is secure and that the document has been signed electronically, making it legally binding. The scammers also include a warning not to share the email, link, or access code with others, creating a sense of urgency and exclusivity.
However, upon closer inspection, several red flags become apparent. For instance, the email may be sent from a domain that is not associated with DocuSign, or the link provided may lead to a website that is not secure or is a misspelled version of the official DocuSign website. Additionally, the email may contain grammatical errors or unusual phrasing, which is often a telltale sign of a scam.
How the Scam Works
The DocuSign “Your Document Has Been Signed” email scam is a multi-step process designed to trick the recipient into divulging sensitive information or inadvertently installing malware on their device. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how the scam typically unfolds:
Step 1: The Initial Email
The scammer sends an email to the target, claiming that a document has been signed and is ready for review. The email looks like it is from DocuSign and includes the company’s logo and branding.
Step 2: The Malicious Link
Within the email, there is a link that the recipient is encouraged to click to view the completed document. However, this link does not lead to the official DocuSign website. Instead, it directs the user to a malicious site designed to steal personal information or install malware.
Step 3: The Fake Website
Upon clicking the link, the user is taken to a website that closely resembles the official DocuSign site. This fake website may prompt the user to enter their login credentials, personal information, or even payment details to “verify” their identity or to “unlock” the document.
Step 4: Information Theft or Malware Installation
If the user enters their information on the fake website, the scammers can then use this data for identity theft or financial fraud. In some cases, clicking the link or downloading the supposed document may also result in the installation of malware, such as keyloggers, trojans, or ransomware, on the user’s device.
Step 5: The Fallout
Once the scammers have obtained the user’s information or infected their device with malware, they can use this to commit various crimes, such as stealing funds from bank accounts, making unauthorized purchases, or even selling the user’s personal information on the dark web.
What to Do if You Have Fallen Victim to This Scam
If you suspect that you have fallen victim to the DocuSign “Your Document Has Been Signed” email scam, it is crucial to take immediate action to minimize the potential damage. Here are some steps you should take:
Change your passwords: If you entered your login credentials on the fake website, change your passwords immediately for any accounts that use the same email address or username.
Contact your bank: If you provided any financial information, such as credit card numbers or bank account details, contact your bank or financial institution immediately to report the potential fraud and request new cards or account numbers.
Run a virus scan: If you clicked on the link or downloaded any attachments from the email, run a comprehensive virus scan on your device using up-to-date antivirus software to detect and remove any malware.
Report the scam: Inform DocuSign and the relevant authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or your local law enforcement, about the scam to help prevent others from falling victim.
Monitor your accounts: Keep a close eye on your bank statements and credit reports for any suspicious activity or unauthorized transactions. Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file to prevent scammers from opening new accounts in your name.
Is Your Device Infected? Check for Malware
If your device is running slowly or acting suspicious, it may be infected with malware. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free is a great option for scanning your device and detecting potential malware or viruses. The free version can efficiently check for and remove many common infections.
Malwarebytes can run on Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Depending on which operating system is installed on the device you’re trying to run a Malwarebytes scan, please click on the tab below and follow the displayed steps.
Malwarebytes For WindowsMalwarebytes For MacMalwarebytes For Android
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Windows to remove malware
Malwarebytes stands out as one of the leading and widely-used anti-malware solutions for Windows, and for good reason. It effectively eradicates various types of malware that other programs often overlook, all at no cost to you. When it comes to disinfecting an infected device, Malwarebytes has consistently been a free and indispensable tool in the battle against malware. We highly recommend it for maintaining a clean and secure system.
Download Malwarebytes for Windows
You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.
After the download is complete, locate the MBSetup file, typically found in your Downloads folder. Double-click on the MBSetup file to begin the installation of Malwarebytes on your computer. If a User Account Control pop-up appears, click “Yes” to continue the Malwarebytes installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, the setup wizard will guide you through the process.
You’ll first be prompted to choose the type of computer you’re installing the program on—select either “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” as appropriate, then click on Next.
Malwarebytes will now begin the installation process on your device.
When the Malwarebytes installation is complete, the program will automatically open to the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen.
On the final screen, simply click on the Open Malwarebytes option to start the program.
Enable “Rootkit scanning”.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start, and you will see the main screen as shown below. To maximize Malwarebytes’ ability to detect malware and unwanted programs, we need to enable rootkit scanning. Click on the “Settings” gear icon located on the left of the screen to access the general settings section.
In the settings menu, enable the “Scan for rootkits” option by clicking the toggle switch until it turns blue.
Now that you have enabled rootkit scanning, click on the “Dashboard” button in the left pane to get back to the main screen.
Perform a Scan with Malwarebytes.
To start a scan, click the Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its antivirus database and begin scanning your computer for malicious programs.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now scan your computer for browser hijackers and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Quarantine detected malware
Once the Malwarebytes scan is complete, it will display a list of detected malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. To effectively remove these threats, click the “Quarantine” button.
Malwarebytes will now delete all of the files and registry keys and add them to the program’s quarantine.
Restart your computer.
When removing files, Malwarebytes may require a reboot to fully eliminate some threats. If you see a message indicating that a reboot is needed, please allow it. Once your computer has restarted and you are logged back in, you can continue with the remaining steps.
Your computer should now be free of trojans, adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you may want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Mac is an on-demand scanner that can destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss without costing you absolutely anything. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free, and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
Download Malwarebytes for Mac.
You can download Malwarebytes for Mac by clicking the link below.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the setup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes for Mac Installer which will guide you through the installation process. Click “Continue“, then keep following the prompts to continue with the installation process.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”.
The Malwarebytes Welcome screen will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
Click on “Scan”.
To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes for Mac will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malware.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will scan your computer for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. 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.
Click on “Quarantine”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malware that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Restart computer.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
Your Mac should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future. 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.
Scan your phone with Malwarebytes for Android to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.
Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
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 will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options. This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue. Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step. Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue. Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system 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.
Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
Your phone should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious app on your phone, you may want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Restore your phone to factory settings by going to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the DocuSign “Your Document Has Been Signed” Email Scam
Q1: What is the DocuSign “Your Document Has Been Signed” email scam?
A: The DocuSign “Your Document Has Been Signed” email scam is a fraudulent attempt to trick individuals into believing that they have a signed document waiting for their review. The scammer sends an email that appears to be from DocuSign, stating that a document related to the Paycheck Protection Program has been completed and signed. The email includes a link that, when clicked, leads the user to a malicious website designed to steal personal information or install malware on their device.
Q2: How can I spot a fake DocuSign email?
A: There are several red flags to look out for when trying to identify a fake DocuSign email:
Check the sender’s email address for any inconsistencies or unfamiliar domains.
Look for grammatical errors, unusual phrasing, or poor formatting in the email’s content.
Hover over any links in the email (without clicking them) to see if they lead to a legitimate DocuSign website.
Be wary of emails that create a sense of urgency or pressure you to act quickly.
Q3: What should I do if I receive a suspicious DocuSign email?
A: If you receive an email claiming to be from DocuSign that you believe may be a scam, do not click on any links or download any attachments. Instead, report the email to DocuSign and delete it from your inbox. If you are unsure whether an email is legitimate, contact DocuSign directly using the contact information provided on their official website.
Q4: What are the consequences of falling for the DocuSign email scam?
A: Falling victim to the DocuSign email scam can lead to severe consequences, such as:
Identity theft, where scammers use your personal information to commit fraud or open accounts in your name.
Financial losses, if you provide your bank account or credit card details on the fake website.
Malware infection on your device, which can lead to data loss, system damage, or further compromises to your online security.
Q5: How can I protect myself from email scams like the DocuSign one?
A: To protect yourself from email scams, follow these best practices:
Always verify the sender’s email address and be cautious of unsolicited emails.
Never click on links or download attachments from suspicious emails.
Keep your antivirus software and operating system up-to-date to prevent malware infections.
Use strong, unique passwords for your online accounts and enable two-factor authentication when available.
Regularly monitor your financial statements and credit reports for any unauthorized activity.
Q6: What should I do if I think I’ve fallen victim to the DocuSign email scam?
A: If you believe you have fallen victim to the DocuSign email scam, take the following steps:
Change your passwords for any accounts that may have been compromised.
Contact your bank or financial institution if you provided any financial information on the fake website.
Run a comprehensive virus scan on your device to detect and remove any malware.
Report the scam to DocuSign, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and your local law enforcement.
Monitor your accounts and credit reports closely for any suspicious activity.
Q7: Are there any legitimate reasons DocuSign would email me about a signed document?
A: Yes, DocuSign may send you legitimate emails about documents that require your signature or have been signed by other parties. However, these emails will always come from a verified @docusign.com email address and will direct you to the official DocuSign website. If you are ever unsure about the legitimacy of a DocuSign email, contact their support team directly for confirmation.
Q8: Can DocuSign prevent these types of email scams?
A: While DocuSign takes measures to prevent and combat email scams, scammers are constantly evolving their tactics. As a result, it is crucial for individuals to remain vigilant and educate themselves on how to identify and avoid these scams. DocuSign provides resources and information on its website to help users stay informed about potential threats and best practices for secure document signing.
The Bottom Line
The DocuSign “Your Document Has Been Signed” email scam is a stark reminder of the importance of staying vigilant in the face of increasingly sophisticated online threats. By understanding how these scams work and knowing what red flags to look for, you can protect yourself and your sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands.
Remember, if you receive an unsolicited email claiming that a document has been signed, even if it appears to be from a trusted source like DocuSign, always exercise caution. Double-check the sender’s email address, hover over any links before clicking them, and never enter your personal information on a website unless you are absolutely certain it is legitimate.
By staying informed and proactive, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of this and other email scams, ensuring that your online experiences remain safe and secure.
How to Stay Safe Online
Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:
Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.
It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.
Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.
Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.
Be careful when installing programs and apps.
Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."
Install an ad blocker.
Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.
Be careful what you download.
A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.
Be alert for people trying to trick you.
Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.
Back up your data.
Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.
Choose strong passwords.
Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.
Be careful where you click.
Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.
Don't use pirated software.
Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.
To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.
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Meet Thomas Orsolya
Thomas is an expert at uncovering scams and providing in-depth reporting on cyber threats and online fraud. As an editor, he is dedicated to keeping readers informed on the latest developments in cybersecurity and tech.
