How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Emails Related to Your Wix Website

Each year, spam emails surge around the holidays, targeting individuals and businesses alike with scams disguised as urgent account alerts, shipping notifications, or special offers. These emails can range from mildly annoying to dangerously deceptive, often designed to steal personal information or spread malware. 

Recently, several of our clients have reported receiving emails claiming to be from K Marketing Co. stating that their website is at risk of deactivation unless they complete a compliance review. These messages are not from our team, they are phishing attempts designed to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or sharing sensitive information.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Even if you don’t use Wix, similar phishing scams may target your website platform, so staying informed and vigilant is key to protecting yourself and your business from falling victim to these seasonal scams. Today, we want to share some tips to help you recognize phishing emails before they cause damage.

1. Urgent or Threatening Language

If an email says something along the lines of “Your account will be deactivated immediately” or “You must act now to avoid penalties” – proceed with caution. Scammers often use fear and urgency to pressure you into acting without thinking.

2. Unfamiliar or Misspelled Sender Address

Check the “from” email address carefully. Scammers may use addresses that look similar to legitimate ones but with subtle changes, for example:

support.wix@gmail.com instead of support@wix.com 

or 

info.kmarketingco@gmail.com instead of info@kmarketingco.com

3. Suspicious Links or Buttons

Hover (don’t click!) over any links before clicking. If the web address looks unfamiliar, includes strange strings of characters, or doesn’t match the sender’s website, it’s likely malicious. As a general rule of thumb, never click on unsolicited links from unknown senders.

4. Generic Greetings

Be wary of emails that start with “Dear user” or “Hello customer.” Legitimate communications from K Marketing Co. or other official entities will usually address you by name, not your business name or account username. 

5. Spelling, Grammar, or Formatting Errors

While no one’s perfect, many phishing emails have obvious typos, awkward phrasing, or inconsistent formatting.

6. Requests for Personal Information

If an email asks for login details, payment information, or other sensitive data: stop right there. Neither our team nor Wix will ever ask for this kind of information over email.

Example: Breaking Down a Phishing Email

Here’s a recent example of one of the fraudulent emails one of our clients received. We’ve highlighted the red flags that indicate it’s not legitimate:

If you still aren’t sure an email is spam, reach out to the alleged sender using a verified email address, such as their support email or a direct contact, and ask. This also alerts the company to the scam and they can take action to warn other potential victims before any damage is done.

What To Do If You Receive a Suspicious Email

1. Do not click any links or download attachments.

2. Mark it as spam or phishing in your inbox to help your email provider block similar messages in the future.

3. Delete the message once it’s been reported.

Stay Informed, Stay Safe

Cybercriminals are constantly evolving their tactics, but by staying alert and verifying the source of every message, you can keep your website and business safe.