[LeonardW]

I have received two email messages with the above headline, offering a free emergency kit in return for answering a survey. The "From" heading is RAC Rewards Team <[email protected]> and the response button headed "Start survey" leads to the rather unlikely address
https:// rac-_gmx_web_.sptracer.com/api/. . . redirecturl=https://www.worldwideclickweb.com/25J72WZ4/7D7TTFDS/?sub1=PK&source_id=PK

My email software flags this address as potentially dangerous. Does anyone know whether it is genuine or a nasty scam?

[Mark07]

Update: I was wrong, this is not from the RAC and likely a scam.

We recommend that you block the sender and report it as spam.

I’ve also flagged it internally.

[Mark07]

Hi LeaonardW,

Welcome to the Community.

The short answer is that I'm not certain, but let me ask and see if I can get confirmation either way.

In the meantime, blinknetwork appear to be an EV charging company and there's virtually always some tracking taking place on competition links (to stop multiple entries etc), so it may be legit.

[LeonardW]

Originally Posted by Mark07

Update: I was wrong, this is not from the RAC and likely a scam.

We recommend that you block the sender and report it as spam.

I’ve also flagged it internally.

Thanks for checking and confirming that. I'm glad my email software caught it and warned me when I tried to reply. The spammers followed up with two more messages this morning, with the subject "Your Creepy Free Car Emergency Kit is Waiting for you to Confirm" and their address as "RAC Rewards Team <[email protected]>". I have reported the messages to [email protected] and advise that other recipients should do the same.

[Mark07]

For anyone experiencing something similar, you may find our Don't Get Caught by Scammers article useful.

Some tips that I've taken from the article;

• The RAC is not currently offering any free 'car emergency kits'
• Look out for non-British language e.g. jumper cables, flashlight etc
• Hover over a link to reveal the URL - do not click ANY dubious links
• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is
• Don't share any personal information - we will never request it via email

If you think you are being targeted by phishing emails, contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit this Gov.UK site for more help
.
You can also forward suspicious emails to [email protected] and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will investigate it.

[Legend]

Has anyone else had one of these ?

Looked very suspicious, the free kit priced in dollars, but you had to pay the postage of £2.

The domain the email was sent from was untraceable and not apparently UK based.

Strange !

[Mark07]

Originally Posted by Legend

Has anyone else had one of these ?

Looked very suspicious, the free kit priced in dollars, but you had to pay the postage of £2.

The domain the email was sent from was untraceable and not apparently UK based.

Strange !

Hi Legend,

Welcome to the RAC Community.

I've merged your post into this existing discussion with some useful tips in the posts, i hope it helps. :)

[frontfloater]

ALL such "free prize" / "you've qualified for our reward" surveys are fraudulent - and involve illegal use of brand-names such as RAC, Admiral Insurance, Boots, etc.

They tell you that all you need pay is a small postage fee, and after filling in a few questions it takes you to a personal details form followed by a spoof "secure" card payment form - which asks for all the details the criminals need to make unlimited charges on your card.

Some of them instead try to stay semi-lawful by having hidden small print on the personal details or card payment page, saying that you are signing up for a (very short) trial period with their website followed by a subscription costing typically £50-70 every two weeks until cancelled - with NO refund once deducted. This small print presumably lets them argue that you knew what you were paying for ; but it is still a fraud because the original e-mail and survey said it was a free award and made no mention of the subscription.

There are online comments from people who were unwary enough to sign up, saying that it is nearly impossible to contact the company and cancel the subscription.