Beware: Email Scam Targeting StarCraft II Fans

It's been a week since the StarCraft II launch and although the really dedicated fans rushed out and purchased the game straight away, there are some people who have yet to purchase the title. If you're among the latter, be sure you don't respond to any details offering you a free copy of the game.

Siliconera reports that scammers are targeting StarCraft II fans with emails that purport to be from the Blizzard store. The email offers the recipient a StarCraft II CD key but states they must create or log into their existing Battle.net account using the log-in form at a provided URL.

The email (pasted below) comes from an @blizzard.review.com email account and includes a receipt for a purchased copy of StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty.

Hello, thank you for shopping at the Blizzard Store!StarCraft II®: Wings of Liberty™: 2775298057033043807536803To use this key to activate the game, simply follow these instructions: 1. Create a Battle.net account (or if you already have one, log in) at <malicious URL removed>2. Verify your e-mail address. (If you have previously verified your address, skip this step.) From the main Account Management page, click the ‘verify this e-mail address’ link. Then, check your e-mail account for a verification e-mail. Click the link in this e-mail to verify your e-mail address. 3. Return to the Battle.net account management page, then click on ‘Code Redemption’. 4. Enter the above CDKey in the code field. 5. Once you have successfully redeemed this code, you will be able to play the game.NOTE: If you have previously chosen to gift your digital purchase, attaching this key to their Battle.net account will prevent you from being able to redeem this key with your Battle.net account.=========================================== Purchase Receipt =========================================== Customer Account: <e-mail address removed> Order Date: 2010-8-2 Order #: 3893676(1) StarCraft II®: Wings of Liberty™ – $59.99Credit Card Number : ****-****-****-4406 Credit Card Type : Visa Item Subtotal: $59.99 Tax: $0.00 Shipping & Handling: $0.00 Shipping Tax: $0.00 Grand Total: $59.99 ===========================================If you have any questions or concerns about your order, please contact us at:Phone: Toll-free at (1-800-592-5499) Website: http://support.blizzard.net/accountLive phone support is available seven days a week, 8:00AM – 8:00PM Pacific Time.Thanks for shopping with us! Blizzard Customer Service

If you get this email (or any email from something other than an @blizzard.com or @battle.net account) be sure to delete it and warn your friends!!

  • adikos
    authenticators ftw
    Reply
  • bollwerk
    ALWAYS look at the full headers on emails from anything like this.
    Reply
  • sliem
    Don't be stupid, that's the rule
    "Create a Battle.net account (or if you already have one, log in) at "

    Yea if the url is not battle.net, click or or forward to blizzard to investigate.
    Reply
  • eddieroolz
    Damn, that looks quite well done.
    Reply
  • aznguy0028
    i actually got this email in my spam box...i saw @blizzard.review.com and then lulz ensued. they are getting craftier for sure though :T
    Reply
  • Thankfully Blizzard removed LAN support and requires a Battle.net account, so I didn't by the game. Just think: If they hadn't gone through the trouble of protecting me like that, I might have been a victim of this scam. /sarcasm
    Reply
  • HavoCnMe
    That sucks!
    Reply
  • proxy711
    I get about 10 scam emails about world of warcraft a day this isn't new just a different blizzard game.
    Reply
  • arael
    proxy711I get about 10 scam emails about world of warcraft a day this isn't new just a different blizzard game.I think I'm up to that as well.
    Thankfully gmail can determine the difference between a genuine email and spam ones, as I occasionally receive emails from Blizzard in regards to account changes!

    All it takes is a little common sense. I've taken to not clicking links in emails, unless it's something in regards to forum registration etc. If you see one saying you need to sign in and want to check then common sense dictates that you type in the address yourself!
    Reply
  • matt87_50
    pfft, I haven't had time to check my email... I've been too busy playing starcraft!!
    Reply