Received a McAfee renewal or invoice you don't recognise?
Fake antivirus renewal emails often claim that a McAfee subscription has renewed, an expensive charge has been processed, or an invoice is due. The real goal may be to make you call a scammer, click a phishing link or provide payment and personal information.
Common warning signs of a fake McAfee renewal message
- You were not expecting the renewal. Be cautious if you receive an invoice, receipt or renewal notice for a subscription you do not recognise.
- The message tells you to call a phone number. McAfee states that it will not require you to call a phone number contained in an email or text message.
- The charge is designed to alarm you. Fake invoices may show a large renewal amount so that you panic and contact the number immediately.
- You are pressured to cancel urgently. The message may say you have only a short period to stop the charge or receive a refund.
- The email contains suspicious links or attachments. Phishing messages may direct you to a fake login page or include an attachment disguised as an invoice or receipt.
- You are asked for personal or financial information. Do not provide card numbers, passwords, banking information or security codes in response to an unexpected message.
How to check a McAfee renewal safely
Do not use the phone number or link contained in the suspicious message.
Instead, type McAfee's official website address into your browser yourself and sign in to your account to check the real subscription, renewal and billing status.
If you do not have a McAfee subscription, treat an unexpected renewal invoice with particular caution.
Not sure whether the renewal message is genuine?
Paste the email text or upload a screenshot to ScamAssessor. It can look for fake renewal language, alarming charges, suspicious support numbers, phishing links, impersonation and other scam indicators.
Check it with ScamAssessorWhy scammers use fake renewal invoices
The invoice is often only the beginning of the scam. The scammer wants you to react to the supposed charge and contact them.
Once you call, they may ask for remote access to your computer, banking information, card details or payment for a fake refund or cancellation process.
If you already called or provided information
Stop communicating with the caller. If you gave someone remote access to your computer, disconnect it from the internet and remove any remote-access software they asked you to install.
If you supplied banking or card information, contact your bank or payment provider immediately using independently obtained official contact details.
Change passwords that may have been exposed and check your accounts for unfamiliar activity.
What ScamAssessor looks for
ScamAssessor checks combinations of warning signs including fake subscription renewals, unexpected invoices, urgent cancellation instructions, suspicious phone numbers, phishing links, impersonation and requests for payment or remote access.
ScamAssessor provides a risk assessment, not proof. A low-risk result does not prove that an invoice, email, company or renewal notice is genuine. Verify subscriptions directly through the provider's official website or app.
Official information: McAfee customer scam-awareness guidance .