Spoofed Capital One Email Uses Account Freeze Alert to Steal Credentials
In this phishing attack, cybercriminals impersonate Capital One by sending an email from a spoofed address. The email, with the subject line “Your Capital One Card has been Frozen,” falsely claims that the recipient’s account has been restricted and requires immediate review. The target is instructed to complete the verification process using the provided link. However, the embedded link redirects through “t[.]co,” a URL shortener, to a malicious site designed to steal sensitive credentials. Both the initial email and the malicious login portal employ an impressive level of impersonation, which further increases the appearance of legitimacy. By mimicking the format and tone of official Capital One communications, the attacker creates a false sense of legitimacy. The urgency surrounding the account freeze pressures the recipient to act quickly, bypassing their usual scrutiny.
Older, legacy email security systems may fail to detect this as a phishing attack due to the use of a trusted URL shortener, the use of legitimate links in the message, and the lack of attachments. However, modern AI-powered email security solutions detect the spoofed email address, links that lead to suspicious domains, and mismatches between the sender domain and the links found in the email to identify and block such threats.
To protect against these scams, recipients should avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails and verify account issues by logging into their accounts through official websites or apps. Raising awareness of these tactics and deploying advanced email security solutions are critical steps in mitigating the risk of falling victim to such sophisticated phishing attacks.
Malicious email where cybercriminals pose as Capital One
Malicious login prompt mimicking Capital One portal designed to steal sensitive information
How Does This Attack Bypass Email Defenses?
This email attack bypasses traditional security solutions for multiple reasons, including the following:
- Use of URL Shortener: The email includes a link shortened by a URL shortener, which helps it pass link verification checks by masking the true destination.
- Legitimate Links Included: The email includes links associated with recognizable domains, which can pass through basic link verification checks due to their legitimate structure.
- Lack of Attachments: By not including any attachments, the email avoids detection by antivirus and anti-malware systems focused on attachment-based threats.
How Did Abnormal Detect This Attack?
This attack was detected using AI and ML by analyzing various factors, including the following:
- Spoofed Sender Detection: Abnormal detects and flags discrepancies between the displayed sender information and the actual sender details to identify spoofing attempts.
- Suspicious Link Analysis: Abnormal's systems scrutinize the presence of links leading to suspicious domains, triggering deeper analysis for possible malicious intent.
- Unusual Sending Behavior: The sender domain does not match any of the domains found in the body links, raising suspicion.
By recognizing established normal behavior and detecting these abnormal indicators, a modern email security solution has the ability to prevent this attack from reaching inboxes.
Please note the exact detection mechanism from Abnormal Security's system might include proprietary techniques and methodologies not disclosed here.