Don’t Be Scammed – Ignore the Apple ID Has Been Locked Email

Security, Spam Hall Of Shame

Here is another example of scammers trying to prey on the folks least expecting it. This time, it is the beloved and dedicated Apple users.

An Apple ID is an important piece of authentication when it comes to apple products. It is used on your Macbook Air, your ipod’s your Apple iPhones, access to the App Store and iTunes Store and more. Its what connects you to the Apple cloud.

So when a letter comes through, like this one which actually made it through spam filters, stating your Apple ID is locked and you have to visit the link to unlock you quickly, you might just do that without thinking twice.

But before you do, always call or visit the Apple’s site by manually typing in the Apple’s website (https://www.apple.com/).





So our clients have been receiving these in the mail. Your probably thinking, wait how does this relate to website stuff? Well plenty, considering over 50% of the users searching the web and visiting websites is all done on those smartphones. And 1/2 of those smart phones are some type of iPhone.

So we want to provide this information to protect you, whether you are a client of ours or not for your reference. Here is the word for word mailing that you may receive. Hoping you are finding this from searching, ultimately protecting yourself from this spam company.
Read More

Don’t Be Scammed – Ignore The iDNS Domain Registrar Spam Letter

Security, Spam Hall Of Shame

From time to time, some of Northwoods Web Designs (NWD) clients as well as ourselves, receive letters from fraudulent domain registrars who prey on people who don’t fully understand the domain registration service by sending letters in the mail about their expiring domain and requests payment.

We get asked about these from our clients, which tells me they have clearly deceived their letters pretty well to try to trick some domain owners into thinking a domain renewal invoice.

So I first wrote about this a couple of years ago, but my clients and myself are still receiving these. Which is a problem. Why? Because it means many of you are still falling for the scam and paying United Arab Emirates 300-500% higher cost to own the registration to your domain.





Why is this considered Spam? Because its unsolicited (you didn’t ask for it) and is a fraudulently deceiving letter, making you think the worlds going to end if you don’t transfer your domain name to them. In which after they own your domain name registration, they can jack your price higher/hold your domain hostage to force you to pay.

So we want to provide this information to protect you, whether you have registered your domain name with Northwoods Web Designs or some other provider. Here is the word for word mailing that you may receive. Hoping you are finding this from searching, ultimately protecting yourself from this spam company.

These companies who send these letters, such as iDNS,  attempt to convince you into transferring or renewing your domain using their service. Which on average is 500% above the market rate for domain name services. 
Read More

Spam Hall of Shame – Be Cautious of Scam Voicemails Left Trying to Get You To Call Back

Security, Spam Hall Of Shame

Stop Spam - Although some of it is funnyWelcome to our Spam Hall of Shame. Where we post some of the most bizarre, funny but potentially harmful scam/spam to the unknowing victim.

This spam showcases around voicemail phishing (Vishing), which is a type of scam done through Voicemails.  Unfortunately anyone can be a target of this scam and doesn’t matter whether you provided your number with others.

Phone numbers in the U.S. follow a predicted value so a simply computer program can be created to obtain the numbers (everything from (111) – 111 – 1111 to (999) – 999 – 9999 for example. Which makes it easy to have a computer to simply do the dirty work and leave a recorded message (scammers are also lazy people).


Read More

Spam Hall of Shame – Phishing Fake Call Attempt From Call 206-400-9013

Spam Hall Of Shame

No one likes to be scammed. So hopefully you found this article from doing a quick search of one of the scam numbers or word search on the voice mails that these scammers leave.

If you have, then you’re lucky as after reading this you won’t fall victim to the federal criminal offense or similar voicemail scam that continues to be hot in the wild.

This is one of the top scams that is still occurring today. Join other fellow readers by submitting the scam number and leaving a comment, ensuring they won’t have a chance to scam anyone else.





View and Submit the Scammer List Phone Numbers


Not too often we get calls this bad to our business number leaving full voicemail scare tactic message to truly display what type of scum live out there.


Read More

Spam Hall of Shame – Someone Complimented You Text Message Scam

Security, Spam Hall Of Shame

Stop Spam - Although some of it is funnyWelcome to our Spam Hall of Shame. Where we post some of the most bizarre, funny but potentially harmful scam/spam to the unknowing victim.

This spam showcases around Smishing, which is a type of scam done through text messaging.  Unfortunately anyone can be a target of this scam and doesn’t matter whether you provided your number with others.

Phone numbers in the U.S. follow a predicted value so a simply computer program can be created to obtain the numbers (everything from (111) – 111 – 1111 to (999) – 999 – 9999 for example.


Read More