Below is the latest email citing my MCC (My Client Center) to be in need of immediate attention because one of my clients accounts stopped running.

adwords mcc phishing scam email December 10, 2009

To Report phishing scams to Google visit this form or forward the email to phishing@google.com.

Other recent posts on AdWords Phishing Scams:

http://www.adwordshelpexperts.com/2009/11/beware-google-adwords-phishing-scam/

http://www.adwordshelpexperts.com/2009/12/adwords-phishing-scam-december-2009/

Posted by: Kim Clinkunbroomer, G.A.P.

I don’t know about you, but I have been receiving more AdWords phishing scam emails then ever.

Today’s email was another clever attempt at tricking someone to share their login details. The subject “Your AdWords Ads have stopped running!” is followed by a message stating:

“Your ads have stopped running today (Monday, 7 December 2009). We had encountered a number of problems with some of our servers that crashed this morning and at this time we cannot check to see what customer accounts are now running 100%.”

Full email below:

AdWords Phishing Email – Your ads have stopped running today (Monday, 7 December 2009). We had encountered a number of problems with some of our servers that crashed this morning and at this time we cannot check to see what customer accounts are now running 100%.

People are taken to a fake login page where they can potentially give away their login details and access to their AdWords accounts.

The phishing scams I have been receiving are addressed to :undisclosed recipients and do not reference any account information such as login or a customer identification number.  Beware of any emails that don’t address you personally.

For those of you managing accounts for clients you may want to give them a heads up to beware and scrutinize emails that appear to be from Google.

To Report phishing scams to Google visit this form or forward the email to phishing@google.com

Posted by: Kim Clinkunbroomer GAP, AdWords Top Contributor.

Phishing Scam

The link takes visitors to a fake, yet convincing, sign in page asking the member to log in.  This is the point where you hand over your log in details to the scammer.

Fake Google AdWords Login Page

To Report phishing scams to Google visit this form or forward the email to phishing@google.com

Posted by: Kim Clinkunbroomer ‘Clink’, G.A.P.

Apparently on the heels of the Federal Trade Commissions suit announced July 1, 2009 (details below) Google has been messaging specific Google AdWords accounts as suspended with the following reason: “Promoting Google Money Tree or ads that promote a misrepresented affiliation with Google. Due to multiple complaints from our users and publishers, we’ve made the decision not to accept these ads.“.

Here is a copy of the full suspension message:

“Subject: Your AdWords account: Account Suspension

Message:
It’s come to our attention that you have submitted ads that promote Google Money Tree or ads that promote a misrepresented affiliation with Google. Due to multiple complaints from our users and publishers, we’ve made the decision not to accept these ads.

This is a notification that your account has been suspended due to the submission of these ads and your ads will no longer run on Google. Please note that future accounts you open will also be suspended.

As noted in our Terms and Conditions, Google reserves the right to terminate advertisements for any reason. To view our Terms and Conditions, please visit https://adwords.google.com/select/tsandcsfinder.

We appreciate your cooperation.

Google Inc. 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway Mountain View, CA 94043

You have received this mandatory email service announcement to update you about important changes to your AdWords product or account.“

…

In a related article – reported Wednesday July 1, 2009

‘Google Money Tree’ one of dozens of companies named in FTC, state attorneys’ suits against companies running money-making schemes

“The Federal Trade Commission and 13 states, including Ohio, targeted companies trying to take advantage of hard times by offering consumers everything from nonexistent jobs to phony grants, investments and money-making opportunities.

Among those targeted in 44 law enforcement actions announced today was Google Money Tree, which despite the name, is not affiliated with Google.

The FTC’s suit accused Google Money Tree of getting consumers to divulging account information with promises that a low-cost kit could help them earn $100,000 in six months. What the company didn’t clearly reveal, the FTC said, was that signing up for the kit automatically triggered monthly charges of $72.21.” for the full article.

Link to Court Documents

Why Now?

At long last Google has decided to take a stance and has begun to suspend advertising to individuals promoting the Google Money Tree or similar advertising where Google’s name is used a as misrepresented affiliation.   I am not sure when the messaging began.  It may be a direct response to the FTC’s suit.  I have asked Google for a comment on this new messaging and will report back with details when and if they become available.

This came to my attention while visiting the AdWords help forum where I work as a Top Contributor.  There are quite a few angry members at present.  Some not even aware that the affiliate program the signed up for was a scam.  Some others may have been caught in error because there are many complaints from advertisers claiming that they are not promoting anything like a money making program.

If you feel that you have been a victim of Google Money Tree or another outfit claiming a misrepresented affiliation with Google report it to Google.

Also report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) know.

UPDATE: Google has commented (kinda) through the official Google Blog.

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Author: Kim Clinkunbroomer “Clink”, G.A.P.