CRESTVIEW, MILTON — Pokemon Go users should be on the look-out for an email that tries to fool them into paying to play.
Scammers are sending emails that read: "due to the overwhelming response to our new Pokemon Go app and the need for more powerful servers we can no longer afford to keep your account as free. The developers are now charging $12.99 a month, and your account will be frozen if you don't upgrade."
The email urges players to click a link, log in to the app store and purchase the "full version." The log-in form that shows up isn't run by an official app store or Ninatic Labs, the game's developers. It's on a third-party site, and it is a way to steal users' passwords.
Here's how to spot potential phishing scams.
●Beware of unexpected emails with links or attachments. Do not click on links or open files in unfamiliar emails.
●Check the reply email address. One easy way to spot an email scam is to look at the reply email. The address should be on a company domain, such as jsmith@company.com.
●Don't believe what you see. Just because an email looks real, doesn't mean it is. Scammers can fake anything, whether it’s a company logo or the "Sent" email address.
●Consider how the organization normally contacts you. If an organization normally reaches you by mail, be suspicious if you suddenly start receiving emails or text messages without opting in to the new communications.
●Be cautious of generic emails. Scammers try to cast a wide net by including little or no specific information in their fake emails. Be especially wary of messages you have not subscribed to or companies you have never done business with in the past.
For more information:
To find out more about other scams, check out BBB Scam Stopper (bbb.org/scam). To report a scam, go to BBB Scam Tracker (bbb.org/scamtracker).
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Pokemon GO players fall for phishing con