Fake Hetzner payment failure email asking for card details

What happens

Scammers send emails pretending to be a hosting company, saying a payment failed and threatening suspension. The aim is to get people to enter payment details on a fake page.

Warning signs

• Urgent 7-day deadline The message pushes you to act within 7 days, which is a common way to stop people from thinking carefully.
• Threat to suspend your account It warns that your account and all services will be suspended unless you act, to scare you into responding.
• Asks you to update payment details A real company rarely asks you to re-enter card or payment details through an email message, and the request is the scammer's goal.
• Generic greeting It says 'Dear Customer' instead of using your name, which suggests it was sent to many people at once.
• No account details shown It does not mention your account name, the amount owed, or the invoice number, so you cannot tell if it is about your real account.

How this scam works

1. You receive an email that looks like it is from a well-known company, saying a payment has failed.
2. It tells you to update your payment details within a short time or your services will be stopped.
3. The link in the email leads to a fake page that looks like the real company's page.
4. When you type in your card or bank details, the criminals capture them.
5. They use your card or account to make payments, or sell your details to other criminals.

What to do

1. Do not click any link or button in the message, and do not reply to it.
2. Take a screenshot of the message and keep it, so you have proof.
3. Check your account by typing the Hetzner website address yourself into your browser, or use their official app, and log in there. Do not use any link from the email.
4. Tell family and friends about this message so they can watch out for it too.