$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
fake subscription renewal notification scam
Scammers send fake emails or calls claiming your antivirus, software, or tech support subscription is about to auto-renew for a large amount, urging you to call to cancel.
“tech support scam”
↑ 336%Key indicators
Usually targetsNon-technical users
Often hitsFreelancers and contractors
Common regionGlobal
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$1.2K
median reported loss
Typical range$120 – $30K
Recovery rate~20%
Annual reports37,560
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers send official-looking emails claiming an expensive subscription is about to auto-renew
2
Panicked recipients call the provided number to cancel and are connected to fake support agents
3
The fake agents request remote access or banking information to process the cancellation and refund
What to do first
Check your actual subscriptions through the software company's official website or your bank statements
Related terms
fake auto-renewal scamsubscription renewal phishingNorton/McAfee renewal fraudTech support scamsEmailSurgingNon-technical usersOlder adultsSoftware usersFreelancers and contractorsSmall business ownersPayroll, HR, and finance teamsGlobalfake auto-renewal scamsubscription renewal phishing
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Amanda, 35, a non-technical users, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate tech support scams situation while using Email. Scammers send official-looking emails claiming an expensive subscription is about to auto-renew
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Panicked recipients call the provided number to cancel and are connected to fake support agents
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The fake agents request remote access or banking information to process the cancellation and refund
The outcome
Amanda realized something was wrong when email claims a subscription you do not recognize will auto-renew for hundreds of dollars. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Check your actual subscriptions through the software company's official website or your bank statements Amanda's experience shows why email claims a subscription you do not recognize will auto-renew for hundreds of dollars and the cancellation phone number in the email does not match the company's official number are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Email claims a subscription you do not recognize will auto-renew for hundreds of dollars
- The cancellation phone number in the email does not match the company's official number
- Email sender address does not match the company's official domain
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Check your actual subscriptions through the software company's official website or your bank statements
- ✓Never call phone numbers from suspicious emails as they connect to scam call centers
- ✓Forward phishing emails to the impersonated company and to [email protected]
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
- ✓Keep the full sender address, domain, attachments, and—if possible—the raw email headers.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The FTC reports that fake subscription renewal notices are among the most common phishing lures, particularly impersonating antivirus brands
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Check your actual subscriptions through the software company's official website or your bank statements
- ✓Never call phone numbers from suspicious emails as they connect to scam call centers
- ✓Forward phishing emails to the impersonated company and to [email protected]
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The FTC reports that fake subscription renewal notices are among the most common phishing lures, particularly impersonating antivirus brands
FTC Consumer Sentinel 2025
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. Global has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
Report cross-border scams
econsumer.gov (ICPEN)
International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network portal for reporting cross-border online scams. Reports are shared with consumer protection agencies in 40+ countries.
Interpol financial crime guidance
Interpol
International policing guidance on online financial fraud, romance scams, and investment fraud operating across borders.
Report phishing emails
Anti-Phishing Working Group
Global industry coalition for reporting phishing emails and URLs. Forward phishing to [email protected].
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Non-technical users, Older adults, Software users
Geographic concentration
Global
Primary channel
Email — Tech support scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Non-technical users are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The FTC reports that fake subscription renewal notices are among the most common phishing lures, particularly impersonating antivirus brands
Source notes
- FTC Consumer Sentinel 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about fake subscription renewal notification scam
How does the fake subscription renewal notification scam work?+
Scammers send official-looking emails claiming an expensive subscription is about to auto-renew Panicked recipients call the provided number to cancel and are connected to fake support agents The fake agents request remote access or banking information to process the cancellation and refund
What are the warning signs of fake subscription renewal notification scam?+
Email claims a subscription you do not recognize will auto-renew for hundreds of dollars The cancellation phone number in the email does not match the company's official number Email sender address does not match the company's official domain
What should I do if I encounter fake subscription renewal notification scam?+
Check your actual subscriptions through the software company's official website or your bank statements Never call phone numbers from suspicious emails as they connect to scam call centers Forward phishing emails to the impersonated company and to [email protected]
Who is most at risk for fake subscription renewal notification scam?+
This scam primarily targets Non-technical users, Older adults, Software users. It is most commonly reported in Global and typically appears on Email.
Is fake subscription renewal notification scam getting worse?+
fake subscription renewal notification scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, UK, CA, AU. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.