The “Look Who Died In An Accident” message is a scam that manipulates recipients’ emotions by falsely claiming the death of someone they know. In this article, we will look into the workings of this scam, the risks it poses, and offer practical advice on safeguarding yourself against such malicious tactics.
How Does the “Look Who Died In An Accident” Scam Work?
The “Look Who Died In An Accident” text message scam targets unsuspecting recipients with a message designed to prey on their emotions and curiosity. The message reads something like this:
“Look who died, in an accident I think you know him so sorry… http://tiktok.ti3fsaa.cloud/pO7yKKx”
The message falsely claims that someone the recipient knows has passed away in an accident and provides a link, supposedly to view more information or a video related to the incident. However, the link leads to a malicious website designed to steal personal information, install malware, or both.
Clicking on the link in the text message can lead to various negative outcomes:
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Phishing: The link may direct you to a website that appears legitimate but is actually designed to trick you into providing personal information such as login credentials, passwords, or financial information. This information can then be used by cybercriminals to commit identity theft or financial fraud.
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Malware: The link may automatically download malware or viruses onto your device, giving hackers access to your files, personal data, and potentially even control over your device. This could lead to further cyberattacks or the loss of sensitive information.
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Ransomware: In some cases, clicking the link could infect your device with ransomware, which encrypts your files and demands a ransom to unlock them. If you do not pay the ransom, your files may be lost forever.
How to Spot the “Look Who Died In An Accident” Scam?
The “Look Who Died In An Accident” text message scam is not very sophisticated, and there are some signs that can help you identify it and avoid it. Here are some things to look out for:
- The message is unsolicited and unexpected. You may not know the sender or have any connection with them. Even if you know the sender, they may not be someone who would normally send you such a message.
- The message is vague and generic. It does not mention any specific name or details about the person who died or the accident. It also uses poor grammar and punctuation.
- The link is suspicious and unfamiliar. It does not match any legitimate news site or social media platform. It may also have a strange domain name or extension.
- The phishing page is fake and unsecure. It does not have a padlock icon or HTTPS in the address bar. It may also have spelling errors or mismatched logos.
How to Protect Yourself from the “Look Who Died In An Accident” Scam
The best way to protect yourself from the “Look Who Died In An Accident” text message scam is to avoid clicking on any links or opening any attachments from unknown or suspicious sources. If you receive such a message, do not reply or engage with it. Instead, delete it immediately and report it as spam or abuse.
If you are unsure whether a message is genuine or not, you can always contact the sender directly through another channel and verify their identity and intention. You can also do some research online and check if there are any reports or warnings about the scam.
Another important step to protect yourself from phishing scams is to use strong and unique passwords for your online accounts and change them regularly. You should also enable two-factor authentication whenever possible, which adds an extra layer of security to your login process.
Moreover, you should keep your device updated with the latest security patches and antivirus software. You should also avoid using public Wi-Fi networks or devices that are not yours or trusted for accessing your online accounts.
What to Do If You Have Clicked on the Link or Received the Message?
If you have already clicked on the link or received the message, do not panic. There are some actions you can take to minimize the damage and recover your account.
First of all, change your password as soon as possible for any account that uses the same login credentials as the one you entered on the phishing page. You should also log out of any devices or sessions that are not yours or trusted.
Secondly, scan your device for malware and remove any suspicious files or programs that may have been installed by clicking on the link. You can use Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free as seen below.
Thirdly, contact your friends and family and warn them about the scam. Be more vigilant when it comes to unsolicited messages and suspicious links. Always verify the information before clicking on any links or providing personal information.
Check if you’re device is infected with malware
The “Look Who Died In An Accident” scam can contain malware within the attachments or links that appear in the body of the email. By interacting with the malware — for example, opening or downloading an attachment that contains a malicious payload — the user may unknowingly infect their device or network, enabling attackers to gain access to protected applications and data.
To check your computer or phone for Trojans, browser hijackers, or other malware and remove them for free, you run a scan with Malwarebytes Free.
Malwarebytes runs on Windows, Mac, and Android. Click the tab below for the device you want to scan, then follow the steps to remove any malware it finds.
Scan Your Computer 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 and clean your PC in just a few minutes.
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:
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Choose where you’re installing the program — “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” — then click Next.
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Malwarebytes will now install on your device. This usually takes under a minute.
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When installation is complete, the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen will open automatically.
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On the final screen, click Open Malwarebytes to launch the program.
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Enable “Scan for Rootkits”
Before scanning, turn on rootkit detection so Malwarebytes can find even the most hidden threats. Click the Settings gear icon on the left side of the screen.
In the settings menu, find “Scan for rootkits” and click the toggle so it turns blue.
Done? Click “Dashboard” in the left pane to return to the main screen.
Start the Scan
Click the blue Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its virus database and start checking your computer for malware.
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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.
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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.
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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.
That’s it — your Windows computer is now free of trojans, adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
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.
Scan Your Mac 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 and clean your Mac in just a few minutes.
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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.
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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“.
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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.
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Start the Scan
Click the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its detection database and begin checking your Mac for malware.
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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.
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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.
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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, your Mac is clean.
That’s it — your Mac is now free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
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
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
That’s it — your Android device is now free of malicious apps, adware, and browser redirects.
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.
- Ask for help in our Mobile Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
The “Look Who Died In An Accident” scam is just one of many tactics used by cybercriminals to exploit unsuspecting victims. By being cautious, verifying information, and maintaining good security practices, you can protect yourself from falling victim to this and other scams. Stay vigilant and stay safe.
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