CenturyLink emails-- I think they're hacks...

[Kev Williams]

I've gotten some pretty official looking emails from CenturyLink lately. I'm not sure how far into our great land CenturyLink extends but I'm passing this along, as I think these are hacker/phisihing/whatever emails...

First one came with "Positive changes coming your way" in the subject line, to do with small business accounts..

Next one was 10 days later (6-20), "Introducing: The New Small Business Control Center",

then today, "Important account info"...

Here's why my skepticism...

First, I haven't been a CenturyLink customer for over a year now..

And second, every email has an https link in the email, that is NOT an https address-- note the green 'login to the portal' link, then note the actual address in the lower left corner is just an http address... This may be legit, but I'm not clicking the link to find out! I do know the phone number is correct.

Anyway, just curious if anyone else is getting these or knows anything about them...

[Pat Barry]

Here is all I get from CenturyLink:

Your CenturyLink Bill is Ready.

Dear hello,

Your current CenturyLink® bill for the account ending in XXXX is now available online.

Total Amount Due: $88.99

NO ACTION REQUIRED - YOU ARE ON AUTOPAY You are enrolled in recurring automatic payments. ------------------------------ I love the Dear hello part

[Jim Becker]

It seems to me that it doesn't really matter in your case if they are nefarious emails since you don't have an account with them. So don't click on anything other than the "delete" or "junk" button in your email client.

[Brian Elfert]

I am pretty sure the link is to the site they used to send out the emails. Many companies use a third party to send out mass emails like these. They link back to the company that sent the email so they can track if you used the link in the email or not. I think it is a silly thing to do.

That you are no longer a customer is a different issue. Companies seem to be really bad at purging all databases of customer information.

[glenn bradley]

It seems to me that it doesn't really matter in your case if they are nefarious emails since you don't have an account with them. So don't click on anything other than the "delete" or "junk" button in your email client.

I will never cease to be fascinated by people who would open an email that was unexpected. If I don't know who its from and/or what it is it goes straight to the bit bucket. This and other basic safety practices have left me virus free. Don't invite a vampire into your house .