Important Security Alert: A Guide to a Common Backlink Scam

Attention all Rabbit Rank clients and regular backlink purchasers: Please read this important update carefully.

For the last few years, our industry has seen a rise in fraudulent activity targeting businesses that invest in SEO and backlinks. We want to ensure you are informed and prepared.

How Our Service Works

When you buy backlinks from Rabbit Rank, we secure placements for your website on a network of various online publications. We build these links through established partnerships and direct outreach to webmasters, ensuring every link we place is legitimate and has a strong standing with the publication.

The Current Challenge: Fake Threat Emails

Recently, some of our clients have received threatening emails from scammers attempting to extort money.

Here’s how the scam works:

1. Scammers scour the internet for websites that have recently published posts containing backlinks (or any external links).
2. When they find a link to your website, they look up your contact information on your site.
3. They then send you an email, falsely claiming to own the publication where your link is placed. They threaten to remove the link unless a “payment” is made.

How to Identify a Scam Email

These emails are entirely fraudulent. The sender has no affiliation with the publication and no ability to remove your link.

Key red flags to look for:

• Non-Official Email Addresses: The email will come from a free, generic address (e.g., randomperson@gmail.com or abc123@outlook.com), not an official domain-based address (like admin@[publicationname].com).
• Direct Threats for Payment: They will create a false sense of urgency, demanding payment to keep a link live.
• No Affiliation: They cannot prove any real connection to the website they are pretending to represent.

For example, if a scammer threatens to remove a link from Droidfeats.com, they will email you from xyz@gmail.com, not from a legitimate address like editor@droidfeats.com.

A recent example

When we encountered an issue today, we consulted the webmaster of “Tech Behind It.” The following is their reply:

This is how scams operate within the SEO industry.

What You Should Do

If you are a Rabbit Rank client and receive one of these emails:

1. Do Not Respond. Engaging with them encourages further attempts.
2. Do Not Pay. The threat is completely empty.
3. Forward the email to us immediately. Please send the suspicious email directly to our team.
4. Block and Ignore. Once you’ve forwarded it to us, block the sender and delete the message.

Your Assurance with Rabbit Rank

At Rabbit Rank, your satisfaction and security are our top priorities.

When you buy links from us, you are protected. Our service includes a link protection guarantee. If any legitimate issue ever arises with a link we’ve placed, we will handle it directly with the publication at no cost to you.

You can trust us to manage your backlink profile effectively and ethically. Please continue to forward any suspicious emails to us, and rest assured that we are here to ensure your investment is safe.

Thank you for your trust and partnership.

— The Rabbit Rank Team