Scam Alert: Fraudulent Emails Targeting Brands with Fake Guest Post Claims

Beware of scam emails claiming paid guest posts on MacSources. Learn how the fraud works, how to spot it, and how to stay protected.

At MacSources, we take pride in delivering honest, independent reviews and coverage of the latest tech products. Unfortunately, scammers have recently begun exploiting our reputation (and the reputation of other tech review sites) in an attempt to defraud brands and PR agencies. We want to make you aware of this scam so you can protect yourself and your clients.

How the Scam Works

Scammers are contacting brands and PR professionals, falsely claiming that they have published a “guest post” or sponsored placement on MacSources.com.

To make their messages seem credible, they even include links to our real articles.

In these fraudulent emails, the scammer then demands payment for the supposed placement, often with a sense of urgency, saying the link will be removed if payment isn’t received within a short window.

Here is an example of a scam message provided to us from a PR rep we work with.

“I had sold a guest post on this website, and you can check the link below. Inside the article, your website’s link has been added as a do-follow link, as agreed. However, I have not yet received the payment for this placement, even though the work has been delivered from my end.”

Real Scam Email:

What You Need to Know

MacSources does not operate this way. All our reviews are non paid and we never allow outside individuals to broker or sell content on our behalf. Additionally, we never ask third parties to collect payment. All legitimate collaborations, reviews, and sponsored opportunities will come directly from the MacSources editorial team using a MacSources.com email address.

How to Protect Yourself

Here are a few quick ways to stay safe from scams like this:

1. Verify the sender. Only trust emails from verified @MacSources.com accounts.
2. Watch for urgency tactics. Scammers often pressure recipients with deadlines like “48 hours.”
3. Check with us directly. If you’re ever unsure about a message, contact us via our official contact page.
4. Do not send payment. If someone requests money for a placement you didn’t arrange with us directly, it’s a scam.

Why Scammers Do This

Fraudsters know that brands value online coverage and backlinks. By exploiting trusted tech websites, they try to trick companies into believing they owe money for exposure they never requested.

The scam is convincing because it references real articles on websites, but their claims are completely false.

Our Commitment to Transparency

At MacSources, trust and transparency are central to how we work with brands and PR firms. We’re sharing this information not only to protect our partners but also to reaffirm that our editorial standards remain unchanged.

If you ever have questions about a collaboration, payment, or ad placement, please reach out to us directly.