SCAM LIBRARY · PHISHING & LINKS

The fake subscription-renewal invoice

Scammers send fake invoices that look like renewal notices from services you use, pressuring you to pay quickly for something you may not have signed up for.

Documented by the FTC & FBI IC3 · reviewed 2026-07-06

How it works

You receive an email, text, or letter that appears to be a billing reminder or renewal notice from a familiar company or service. The message creates urgency—saying your subscription will expire soon or your account will be closed—and includes a link or phone number to 'update payment' or 'confirm your renewal.' The goal is to rush you into paying before you have time to verify.

Red flags

• The sender's email address or phone number looks slightly off or unfamiliar, even if the company name seems real.
• You don't remember signing up for this service, or the amount charged seems wrong or unexpectedly high.
• The message demands immediate action with language like 'act now' or 'your account will be suspended' and includes an urgent link or button to click.
• Legitimate companies almost never ask you to 'confirm' billing details by clicking a link in an unsolicited message.

What to do

• Stop and verify independently: Go directly to the company's official website (type the address in your browser yourself) or call their customer-service number from a bill you trust, and ask whether this renewal is real.
• Do not click links or call numbers in the suspicious message, and do not give any payment information in response to it.
• If you believe this is a scam, report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov—your report helps protect others.