**It's come to my attention that several people have received this, or a similar message from "google" lately.
=========================== Subject:** Reactivate Your AdWords Google Account.
Dear Advertiser,
We were unable to process your payment. Your ads will be suspended soon unless we can process your payment. To prevent your ads from being suspended, please update your payment information.
**===========================
** **I would advise you NOT to use the link provided in the email. Simply go to http://adwords.google.com and use your normal sign in -- to see if, indeed, your credit card has expired. If it has, obviously, you can remedy the situation. If it hasn't then PLEASE do not click the link provided in the email. It appears to be a spoof/scam going on - perpetrated by ionline.com
Sony**
============== After speaking with Google, here is some more information ==============
MORE INFORMATION
I've detailed several common techniques below that a criminal could use to obtain access to your account. Please keep these in mind in the future so that you can guard against them.
I. Phishing
Phishing is an attempt to fraudulently acquire sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, or credit card details, by masquerading as a trustworthy entity. For example, there are reports of phishing emails that falsely appear to be from [email protected]. These fraudulent emails ask users to update their billing information, take action on a disapproved ad, edit their account, or accept new AdWords terms and conditions. In some cases, the links may lead to websites that install malware onto your computer.
Please remember that Google's AdWords team will never send an unsolicited message asking for your password or other sensitive information by email or through a link. If you've received a phishing email that attempts to fraudulently collect passwords, credit card numbers, or other sensitive information, please report it to us immediately by completing the Report Phishing Form at http://adwords.google.com/support/bin/request.py?ctx=cuffhelp&contact_type=phishing.
Tips to protect yourself from phishing:
- Don't reply to, or click links within, emails that ask for personal, financial, or account information.
- Check the message headers. The 'From:' address and the 'Return-path' should reference the same source.
- Instead of clicking the links in emails, go to the websites directly by typing the web address into your browser, cut and paste, or use bookmarks.
- If on a secure page, look for "https" at the beginning of the URL and the padlock icon in the browser.
- Use a browser that has a phishing filter (Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Opera).
- Use strong passwords. A strong password should be unique; include letters, numbers, and symbols; and be changed regularly.
- If you ever need to change your account information, such as your billing details or your password, you should always sign in to your account from the main AdWords login page (https://adwords.google.com) and make the changes directly within your account.
For more information on phishing, please visit https://adwords.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=93198&topic=9146.****