If you have recently received an email claiming that some of your messages are being restrained due to low bandwidth, you might want to think twice before clicking on any links or buttons in it. In this article, we will explain what this email scam is, how it works, how to spot it, and what to do if you have fallen victim to it.
What is the “Messages Are Restrained Due to Low Bandwidth” Email Scam and How Does It Work?
This email scam is a type of phishing attack, which is a fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information or data from unsuspecting users by impersonating a legitimate entity or organization. In this case, the scammers pretend to be an email service provider (such as Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Outlook, etc.) and send an email notification to their targets regarding mail delivery status.
The email claims that some of the recipients’ messages are being held back due to low bandwidth and instructs them to take action by clicking on a link or a button that supposedly leads to a page where they can release their messages. However, the link or the button actually redirects them to a fake website that mimics the appearance of a genuine email service provider login page. The fake website then asks them to enter their email address and password, which are then stolen by the scammers.
There are at least two variants of this email scam in the phishing campaign. One of them uses the subject line “Unsuccessful Mail Delivery Report” and the other one uses the subject line “pending messages”. Both of them use similar wording and formatting in the message body and include a link or a button with labels such as “Release Messages”, “Review Here”, or “REVIEW BANDWIDTH”.
Here is how the “Messages Are Restrained Due to Low Bandwidth” email looks like:
Subject: Mail Delivery: Unsuccessful Mail Delivery Report
Notification of pending messages.
Some messages are restrained from delivering due to low bandwidth, we notify you to take prompt actions.
Release Messages
Review HereMessage should be moved to inbox.
How to Spot the “Messages Are Restrained Due to Low Bandwidth” Email Scam?
There are several signs that can help you identify this email scam and avoid falling for it. Here are some of them:
- The sender’s email address does not match the email service provider that you use. For example, if you use Gmail, you should not receive an email from an address like info@outlook.com or support@yahoo.com.
- The email contains grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, or unusual formatting. For example, the email might use lowercase letters for proper nouns, misspell words like “bandwidth” or “message”, or use different fonts or colors for different parts of the text.
- The email creates a sense of urgency or panic by using phrases like “urgent”, “immediately”, “as soon as possible”, or “before it’s too late”. The scammers use these tactics to pressure you into acting quickly without verifying the authenticity of the email.
- The email asks you to click on a link or a button that does not match the domain name of your email service provider. For example, if you use Gmail, you should not click on a link that starts with http://mail.outlook.com or http://yahoo.mail.com. You can check the actual destination of a link by hovering your mouse over it and looking at the bottom left corner of your browser window.
- The fake website that you are redirected to does not have a secure connection (HTTPS) or a padlock icon in the address bar. This indicates that the website is not encrypted and your information can be intercepted by third parties.
- The fake website does not match the exact design or layout of your email service provider login page. For example, if you use Gmail, you should not see a login page that has a different logo, color scheme, font style, or language than the one you are used to.
What to Do If You Have Fallen Victim to the “Messages Are Restrained Due to Low Bandwidth” Email Scam?
If you have clicked on a link or a button in this email scam and entered your email address and password on the fake website, you should take immediate steps to protect yourself and your accounts from further damage. Here are some of them:
- Change your password for your email account as soon as possible. Use a strong and unique password that is different from any other passwords that you use for other accounts or services.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for your email account if possible. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring you to enter a code sent to your phone or another device when logging in from a new device or location.
-
Check your email settings and look for any changes made by the scammers, such as forwarding rules, signature, recovery options, or contacts. Undo any changes that you did not make yourself.
-
Scan your computer and devices for malware using a reputable antivirus software. Malware can compromise your system and steal your data or monitor your online activity.
-
Report the phishing email to your email service provider and delete it from your inbox. You can also report it to authorities such as FTC (Federal Trade Commission) in the US or Action Fraud in the UK.
-
Monitor your online accounts and financial statements for any suspicious activity or transactions. If you notice anything unusual, contact your bank or service provider immediately and alert them of possible fraud.
Check if you’re device is infected with malware
The “Messages Are Restrained Due to Low Bandwidth” email 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 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.
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 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.
Scan Your Phone 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.
The “Messages Are Restrained Due to Low Bandwidth” email scam is a phishing attack that tries to steal your email login credentials by impersonating your email service provider. To avoid falling for this scam, you should always be careful about opening emails from unknown senders, check the sender’s address and the URL of any links in the email, and never enter your login details on any website other than the official one of your email service provider.
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.