Like so many other email-borne schemes, the McAfee Renewal Scam is just a fake message, asking you to call a number linked to criminals. Don’t pick up the phone! And don’t reply to the message. Check out these details, so you can react safely to this sort of email.

Here’s a recent example of the McAfee Renewal Scam:

the mcafee renewal scam

For many, this is an obvious fake, but I’ll still list out the giveaways:

  • The email came not from McAfee, but from some gobbledygook Gmail address.
  • Grammar mistakes abound: “successive transaction” and the use of commas in dates.
  • McAfee does not sell anything so expensive ($716.16)!
  • They used the word “kindly”.

If this shows up in your inbox, the truth of this matter is this:

  • There is no charge to any of your bank cards.
  • The order numbers are meaningless and all made up.
  • The phone number does not belong to McAfee. It rings somewhere in Scamdinavia, where cybercriminals are standing by for your call.

Anyone calling the number will speak with an eager agent who will seek to connect to your computer through remote control apps. Then they’ll press to access your bank website or other financials, to process a refund. But that will be a sham, where they will steal your money, through quick transfers and shell game switcheroos.

The good news is that this is easily dealt with, once you recognize the scam. When you get this kind of message, just delete it or mark it as spam. If you need further peace of mind, feel free to login at the real McAfee website, to check your account standing. And review your bank statements to see that no strange charges are there.