Normally I don’t get to alarmed about phishing emails, as they are usually pretty good at messing them up, so they are really easy to catch. BUT! This one really caught my attention, so beware, they are getting smarter.

Here is the email I got:

————-

March 24, 2010
Crosby & Higgins
350 Broadway, Suite 300
New York, NY 10013

To Whom It May Concern:

On the link bellow is a copy of the lawsuit that we filed against you in court on March 11, 2010.
Currently the Pretrail Conference is scheduled for April 11th, 2010 at 10:30 A.M. in courtroom #36.
The case number is 3485934. The reason the lawsuit was filed was due to a completely inadequate response from your company for copyright infrigement that our client Touchstone Advisories Inc is a victim of Copyright infrigement

www.touchstoneadvisorsonline.com/lawsuit/suit_documents.xxx (NB. Of course this link is inactive by the author, and the extension of the document changed)

Touchstone Advisories Inc has proof of multiple Copyright Law violations that they wish to present in court on April 11th, 2010.

Sincerely,

Mark R. Crosby
Crosby & Higgins LLP

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What caught me off guard, and made me read a little further, and start investigating was the fact that the company allegedly filing a lawsuit against me had a name that was actually close to ours. Secondly the company in question was legit when searching their company name, the URL was not some shady .ru domain masked by HTML and the law firm also existed.

All in all, further research of course gave it away, but for the first time I’ve felt that the phishers are getting smarter, more educated and definitely having the potential of getting a lot more successful applying more sneaky tactics.

The scary thing is that this type of phishing needs to have some individualized thought behind it. probably with some case-by-case human intervention. They have to find Addvisors Inc, and another company that carry a name close to ours. This means that somebody picked US to cheat, and very likely sent an email to the other company threatening them with a suit from Addvisors Inc.

Beware, and make sure to scrutinize any emails popping into your email box from people you don’t know, I know I will.

Addvisors, Inc is seeking a highly skilled Web Development/Application Programmer for a full-time position at our offices in Las Vegas, NV. We are only looking for the best of the best and are willing to compensate accordingly. Please be aware that this is a senior level position. Please read the requirements below and only submit your resume if you fulfill all requirements.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Creatively and technically develop Web-based frontend and backend high traffic applications in a team environment.
• Actively participate in all phases of the software development life cycle.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS
• At least 5 years of professional web development experience in the web development industry.
• Strong analysis, design and implementation experience utilizing Web 2.0 technologies and relational database management systems, working with 3rd party API’s of any size, developing open API’s for other developers.
• Outstanding PHP5, MySQL and JavaScript experience and track record.
• Knowledge of JavaScript libraries/frameworks (e.g. JQuery), HTML, CSS, Apache, Linux (Redhat), SSH, OO design principles and patterns, secure coding best practices.
• Extensive experience with Web Services, WSDL, XML, and SOAP.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?
Excellent salary compensation (DOE) and paid vacation. Work in a talented and supportive work environment that fosters growth and creativity. Be part of a team in building high-quality/high traffic innovative web applications.

HOW TO APPLY?
Please e-mail your resume, along with at least 4 URLs of your work that best shows your technical abilities, and your salary requirements to: info@addvisors.com or if you have any questions about the position, feel free to call our office at (702) 430-8134.

About Us
Addvisors, Inc. is a Las Vegas based online advertising and web development agency with its primary focus on search engine optimization, pay per click advertising, social media marketing and web application development.
Please do not contact us if you are part of an agency.