How to identify fake "DocuSign" emails requesting your signature

What kind of email is "DocuSign - Signature Requested"?

Our examination of this "DocuSign - Signature Requested" email revealed that it is spam. This fake message notifies the recipient that they need to sign a document, thus it lures them into visiting a phishing site that targets email log-in credentials. It must be emphasized that this email is not associated with the real Docusign.

"DocuSign - Signature Requested" email scam overview

The spam email with the subject "Action Required: Complete with Docusign" (may vary) states that a new document has been received that must be reviewed and signed as soon as possible. It has to be reiterated that this information is false, and this mail is not associated with the Docusign service or its developer – Docusign, Inc.

This message promotes a phishing website that masquerades as the recipient's email account sign-in page. Data entered into phishing sites is recorded and sent to scammers. Hijacked emails can be variously abused, such as blackmailing victims over sensitive content therein or attempting to access linked accounts, services, and platforms.

To expand further on the abuse, scammers can steal account (e.g., email, social media, social networking, messengers, chat, etc.) owners' identities and request loans or donations from contacts/friends/followers, promote scams, and proliferate malware by sharing malicious files/links.

What is more, hijacked finance-related accounts (e.g., e-commerce, money transferring, digital wallets, online banking, etc.) can be used to make fraudulent transactions and online purchases.

To summarize, victims of scam mail like "DocuSign - Signature Requested" can experience severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

If you have already provided your log-in credentials to a phishing website or file – immediately change the passwords of all possibly exposed accounts and contact their official support.

Phishing spam campaign examples

We have written about thousands of spam campaigns; "IMAP/POP3 Mail Delivery Incomplete", "Criminals Attempted To Redirect Your Funds", "Server (IMAP) Session Authentication", "Chase - Transfer Is Processing And Will Be Deducted", and "Wells Fargo - Account Suspended" are just merely some of our newest articles on phishing emails.

The most commonly targeted information includes log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, and finance-related data. Various scams are promoted through spam mail, and it is used to spread all kinds of malware.

Due to how prevalent this mail is and how well-made it can be – we highly recommend vigilance with incoming emails, DMs/PMs, SMSes, and other messages.

How do spam campaigns infect computers?

Spam campaigns spread malware through infectious files that can be attached to or linked inside the emails/messages. These files come in various formats, e.g., archives (ZIP, RAR, etc.), executables (.exe, .run, etc.), documents (Microsoft Office, Microsoft OneNote, PDF, etc.), JavaScript, and so on.

Merely opening a virulent file can be enough to initiate the infection chain. However, some formats require additional actions to begin downloading/installing malware. For example, Microsoft Office files need users to enable macro commands (i.e., editing/content), while OneNote documents require them to click on embedded links or files.

How to avoid installation of malware?

We advise exercising caution with incoming emails and other messages. Attachments or links present in dubious/irrelevant mail must not be opened, as they can be harmful or infectious.

However, malware is distributed using various methods. Therefore, we recommend being careful while browsing since the Internet is rife with deceptive and malicious content.

Additionally, all downloads must be made from official and trustworthy sources. Another recommendation is to activate and update programs using legitimate functions/tools, as illegal activation tools ("cracks") and third-party updates can contain malware.

It is essential for device/user safety to have a reputable anti-virus installed and kept up-to-date. Security software must be used to perform regular system scans and to remove detected threats. If you've already opened malicious attachments, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.

Text presented in the "DocuSign - Signature Requested" spam email letter:

Subject: Action Required: Complete with Docusign

DOCUSIGN

Signature Requested

Hello -,

You've received a new document requiring your signature. Please review and sign at your earliest convenience to ensure timely processing.

Document: Contract Agreement - [Unique ID: 2025-027]

To view and sign the document, click the button below:

Review & Sign

If the button doesn't work, copy and paste this link into your browser:
-

This email was sent by DocuSign eSignature. For assistance, contact support@docusign.com.

DocuSign, Inc. | 221 Main St, San Francisco, CA 94105

Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe

Screenshot of the phishing website promoted by the "DocuSign - Signature Requested" spam campaign:

Instant automatic malware removal:

Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:

By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

Quick menu:

• What is "DocuSign - Signature Requested" phishing email?
• Types of malicious emails.
• How to spot a malicious email?
• What to do if you fell for an email scam?

Types of malicious emails:

Phishing Emails

Most commonly, cybercriminals use deceptive emails to trick Internet users into giving away their sensitive private information, for example, login information for various online services, email accounts, or online banking information.

Such attacks are called phishing. In a phishing attack, cybercriminals usually send an email message with some popular service logo (for example, Microsoft, DHL, Amazon, Netflix), create urgency (wrong shipping address, expired password, etc.), and place a link which they hope their potential victims will click on.

After clicking the link presented in such email message, victims are redirected to a fake website that looks identical or extremely similar to the original one. Victims are then asked to enter their password, credit card details, or some other information that gets stolen by cybercriminals.

Emails with Malicious Attachments

Another popular attack vector is email spam with malicious attachments that infect users' computers with malware. Malicious attachments usually carry trojans that are capable of stealing passwords, banking information, and other sensitive information.

In such attacks, cybercriminals' main goal is to trick their potential victims into opening an infected email attachment. To achieve this goal, email messages usually talk about recently received invoices, faxes, or voice messages.

If a potential victim falls for the lure and opens the attachment, their computers get infected, and cybercriminals can collect a lot of sensitive information.

While it's a more complicated method to steal personal information (spam filters and antivirus programs usually detect such attempts), if successful, cybercriminals can get a much wider array of data and can collect information for a long period of time.

Sextortion Emails

This is a type of phishing. In this case, users receive an email claiming that a cybercriminal could access the webcam of the potential victim and has a video recording of one's masturbation.

To get rid of the video, victims are asked to pay a ransom (usually using Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency). Nevertheless, all of these claims are false - users who receive such emails should ignore and delete them.

How to spot a malicious email?

While cyber criminals try to make their lure emails look trustworthy, here are some things that you should look for when trying to spot a phishing email:

• Check the sender's ("from") email address: Hover your mouse over the "from" address and check if it's legitimate. For example, if you received an email from Microsoft, be sure to check if the email address is @microsoft.com and not something suspicious like @m1crosoft.com, @microsfot.com, @account-security-noreply.com, etc.
• Check for generic greetings: If the greeting in the email is "Dear user", "Dear @youremail.com", "Dear valued customer", this should raise suspiciousness. Most commonly, companies call you by your name. Lack of this information could signal a phishing attempt.
• Check the links in the email: Hover your mouse over the link presented in the email, if the link that appears seems suspicious, don't click it. For example, if you received an email from Microsoft and the link in the email shows that it will go to firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0... you shouldn't trust it. It's best not to click any links in the emails but to visit the company website that sent you the email in the first place.
• Don't blindly trust email attachments: Most commonly, legitimate companies will ask you to log in to their website and to view any documents there; if you received an email with an attachment, it's a good idea to scan it with an antivirus application. Infected email attachments are a common attack vector used by cybercriminals.

To minimise the risk of opening phishing and malicious emails we recommend using Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows. 

Example of a spam email:

What to do if you fell for an email scam?

• If you clicked on a link in a phishing email and entered your password - be sure to change your password as soon as possible. Usually, cybercriminals collect stolen credentials and then sell them to other groups that use them for malicious purposes. If you change your password in a timely manner, there's a chance that criminals won't have enough time to do any damage.
• If you entered your credit card information - contact your bank as soon as possible and explain the situation. There's a good chance that you will need to cancel your compromised credit card and get a new one.
• If you see any signs of identity theft - you should immediately contact the Federal Trade Commission. This institution will collect information about your situation and create a personal recovery plan.
• If you opened a malicious attachment - your computer is probably infected, you should scan it with a reputable antivirus application. For this purpose, we recommend using  Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.
• Help other Internet users - report phishing emails to Anti-Phishing Working Group, FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, National Fraud Information Center and U.S. Department of Justice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why did I receive this email?

Spam emails are not personal, regardless of any relevant details that they may include. These messages are sent out in mass-scale campaigns – therefore, thousands of users receive identical (or incredibly similar) emails.

I have provided my personal information when tricked by this spam email, what should I do?

If you have disclosed your log-in credentials – change the passwords of all possibly compromised accounts and inform their official support. However, if you have provided other private data (e.g., ID card details, passport photos/scans, credit/debit card numbers, etc.) – immediately contact relevant authorities.

I have read a spam email but didn't open the attachment, is my computer infected?

Reading an email does not pose an infection threat; systems are infected when malicious attachments or links are opened/clicked.

I have downloaded and opened a file attached to a spam email, is my computer infected?

File formats can impact infection success rates. Once opened, executables (.exe, .run, etc.) cause infections almost without fail. Some formats – like documents (.doc, .xls, .pdf, .one, etc.) – need additional actions to initiate malware download/installation processes. Hence, the infection can begin after macros are enabled, embedded content is clicked, or other actions are performed.

Will Combo Cleaner remove malware infections present in email attachments?

Combo Cleaner is designed to scan systems and eliminate all manner of threats. It is capable of detecting and removing nearly all known malware infections. Remember that running a complete system scan is crucial since sophisticated malicious software usually hides deep within systems.