Beware Of NortonLifeLock Subscription Renewal Email Scam
Written by: Stelian Pilici
Published on:
A new phishing scam has emerged involving emails that impersonate NortonLifeLock and claim your subscription requires urgent renewal. However, these are fraudulent emails trying to steal personal and financial information. This article will break down how the NortonLifeLock subscription renewal email scam operates and provide tips for recognizing, avoiding, and reporting it.
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Understanding the NortonLifeLock Renewal Scam
In this scam, victims receive unsolicited emails constructed to appear as if they are coming from legitimate NortonLifeLock billing department addresses.
The scam emails closely mimic the look of authentic NortonLifeLock messages, including:
Using near identical sender email addresses to real NortonLifeLock billing contacts, with only slight differences in the domain names.
Incorporating the real NortonLifeLock logo, colors, fonts, and overall formatting to appear as a valid email from them.
Addressing recipients by name and including other personalized details like a made-up customer ID and account number to add legitimacy.
Listing a false upcoming renewal date often within 24-48 hours to impart urgency.
Citing monetary renewal fees consistent with real NortonLifeLock subscription plans.
Providing a customer support phone number or billing contact email address to lure victims into responding.
The content of the scam message claims your NortonLifeLock subscription requires immediate renewal, or has already auto-renewed pending payment.
It will insist you contact the provided billing phone number or email address right away to cancel the unwanted renewal and get a refund of any erroneous charges.
However, NortonLifeLock sends legitimate renewal notices properly through account dashboards, never via unprompted emails. They also make it clear you must actively choose to renew, it doesn’t just happen automatically.
If you call the number or email back, scammers will employ social engineering techniques and urgency to try to trick you into providing credit card details, online account logins, or remote computer access. But in reality, they use any sensitive data or system access gained to steal funds and information.
NortonLifeLock has confirmed it does not send unsolicited renewal emails or request customers to call unknown numbers or contacts regarding their subscriptions. The emails are phishing scams aimed at eliciting sensitive personal and financial details.
Phishing Tricks Used in the Scam
Here are some of the deceitful tactics used in the NortonLifeLock renewal scam emails:
Spoofing legitimate NortonLifeLock billing email addresses in the “From” field.
Including the NortonLifeLock logo and branding to appear authenic.
Fabricating customer IDs, account numbers, and other details to add legitimacy.
Imparting urgency and time pressure to renew immediately to overcome skepticism.
Citing monetary penalties if the fictional renewal proceeds or isn’t refunded quickly.
Providing contact numbers with fake customer service reps who prolong the scam if called.
Following initial urgent emails with equally urgent secondary emails if not responded to fast enough.
Hiding behind domain privacy services to conceal the scammer’s real identity.
These tricks aim to instill fear that your account will be improperly renewed or debited to trick you into providing personal data and remote access under the false pretense it will be used to help you.
Red Flags to Identify the Scam
Here are some red flags to help identify the fraudulent NortonLifeLock renewal emails:
You didn’t initiate any subscription renewal request to trigger a real expiration notice.
The email address uses an unofficial NortonLifeLock domain variant like “@nortonlifelockmail.com”.
Your account number looks fabricated rather than familiar or tied to your real subscription.
The email contains grammar, spelling errors, or formatting inconsistencies.
The urgent call to action creates pressure instead of advising checking your account dashboard.
The contact number goes to an unofficial call center instead of normal NortonLifeLock support.
Details about penalties or restrictions don’t align with normal NortonLifeLock renewal policy.
If an alleged renewal notice shows any suspicious signs, do not call the provided number or provide information. Check your actual NortonLifeLock account dashboard.
What to Do If You Already Called the Number
If you called the number on one of the scam emails already, take these steps right away:
Notify your bank and credit card companies in case your financial account details were compromised. Freeze accounts as needed.
Run a scan with Malwarebytes Free to remove malware and reset all account passwords as a precaution.
Monitor credit reports for any suspicious new accounts or charges indicating early stages of identity theft.
File detailed reports about the scam contact with the FTC, IC3, NortonLifeLock, and other cybersecurity authorities.
Call NortonLifeLock’s real published customer service number to notify them of the phishing attempt.
Leave online reviews detailing your experience to help warn other consumers about providing data to the fraudulent number.
How to Avoid Falling Victim
To avoid getting hooked by the fake NortonLifeLock renewal scam, be wary of:
Any unsolicited renewal emails even if seemingly from companies you use. Check your account portals directly.
Email addresses that don’t exactly match a company’s official domain.
Threats of account limitations if you don’t call unknown numbers right away.
Requests for sensitive information over the phone instead of through official company websites and forms.
Calls to immediately provide remote computer access to purported support reps.
Carefully reviewing any unexpected subscription emails helps avoid falling prey to the NortonLifeLock renewal phishing scam. Never call unknown numbers or supply personal data due to scare tactics.
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.
In summary, this scam sends fraudulent NortonLifeLock subscription renewal emails to panic recipients into calling scammer-run numbers. The scammers then use social engineering over the phone to steal financial information and even remote computer access, enabling further frauds. Always verify renewal notices directly through your account rather than emails before providing any sensitive data. With vigilance, consumers can protect themselves from phishing scams employing urgent renewal warnings for deception.
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.
Meet Stelian Pilici
Stelian leverages over a decade of cybersecurity expertise to lead malware analysis and removal, uncover scams, and educate people. His experience provides insightful analysis and valuable perspective.
