Beware of Scams

An Official Security Advisory from HardNetSoft

At HardNetSoft, our commitment to innovation and trust is paramount. It is with deep regret that we must address the unfortunate reality that our company's name, brand, and the identities of our team members are sometimes misused by malicious actors in sophisticated scams, fraudulent schemes, and also spams. These deceptive practices are designed to exploit the hard-earned trust of our clients, partners, staffs, and the public.

We urge you to exercise extreme caution and vigilance in all your interactions.

The Current Threat Landscape

The digital threat environment is evolving rapidly. By 2026, fraud has become increasingly adaptive, with attackers using artificial intelligence (AI) to create highly convincing impersonations and synthetic personas. These are not simple, mass-emailed cons but targeted, researched attacks often aimed at financial gain or data theft.

Globally, phishing and impersonation attacks have surged. Reports indicate that in 2024 alone, over 963,000 unique phishing sites were detected worldwide, and business email compromise (BEC) scams accounted for 73% of reported cyber incidents, causing staggering financial losses. Job scams are among the fastest-growing fraud types.

HardNetSoft does not participate in, nor will we ever:

• Solicit investments or offer public investment opportunities
• Demand unsolicited payments via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency
• Send unexpected invoices or payment requests
• Offer employment that requires purchase of equipment, courses, or pay any fee
• Conduct job interviews solely via instant messaging platforms (like WhatsApp® or Telegram)
• Spam emails or messaging apps with "cold" emails or messages
• Call without an appointment, unless agreed otherwise (no cold or spam calling)

Common Scam Methods Targeting Our Brand

Scammers employ a variety of tactics, often blending several of the following methods to appear legitimate:

1. Business Email Compromise (BEC) & Executive Impersonation

This is a sophisticated fraud where scammers impersonate HardNetSoft executives, employees, or trusted partners via email. They meticulously research their targets to craft convincing messages that may:

• Spoof email addresses using domains that look similar to ours (e.g., hardnet-soft.com, hardnets0ft.net)
• Request urgent wire transfers for a fabricated "confidential deal" or "emergency supplier payment"
• Ask for sensitive information like client lists, employee data, or network credentials
• Hijack ongoing email threads to insert fraudulent payment instructions

2. Fake Job Offers & AI Interview Fraud

A growing area of concern involves fraudulent recruitment. These scams exploit job seekers by:

• Posting fake job openings on unofficial websites or social media
• Sending unsolicited job offers that seem "too good to be true"
• Using AI deepfake technology during video interviews, where a scammer uses a real-time digital puppet
• Requesting personal information (e.g., passport, ID numbers) prematurely or asking for "processing fees"
• Offering a job after a cursory chat on an instant messaging app or platform

3. Website Spoofing & Phishing

Attackers create counterfeit websites that mimic the official HardNetSoft online presence to steal login credentials and/or install malware. These fake sites:

• Often use typo-squatted URLs (e.g., hardnetsof.com or hardnetsofts.com instead of hardnetsoft.com)
• Clone the design, logos, and content of our real websites, apps, or other Portals
• Are often promoted through phishing emails, malicious online ads, or SMS messages (smishing)

4. Fake Vendor & Invoice Scams

Scammers may pose as a HardNetSoft-affiliated vendor or supplier, sending you fabricated invoices for services never rendered or products never delivered.

How to Verify Authenticity: Your Action Guide

Protecting yourself comes down to verification and skepticism. Follow these steps before responding to any suspicious communication:

For Emails & Communications:

• Scrutinize the sender's email address. Official HardNetSoft email addresses end with @hardnetsoft.com or be wary of addresses using public domains (e.g., @gmail.com, @outlook.com) or subtle misspellings of our domain.
• Verify through a secondary channel. If you receive an unusual request, especially for money or sensitive data, DO NOT REPLY TO THE EMAIL. Instead, contact the purported sender directly using a phone number or email address you have obtained from a previously known, trusted source (like an old business card or our official website).
• Look for urgency and secrecy. Scammers often pressure you to act quickly and confidentially. Legitimate business requests allow time and ways for verification.

For Job Opportunities:

• All genuine thus official HardNetSoft job opportunities are verifiable. We may use third-party platforms for job listing, but all platforms will always have a direct link from us.
• Our recruitment process never requires candidates to pay anything any fees or purchase something.
• All our interviews are scheduled via our HR team and typically use corporate communication platforms after initial screening. Be suspicious of interviews conducted only on consumer messaging apps.

For Websites:

• Always type hardnetsoft.com directly into your browser. Avoid clicking on links from emails, messages, unknown websites, or third-party blog posts to access our site.
• Check for HTTPS and a valid security padlock in the browser's address bar, but be aware that this alone does not guarantee a site is legitimate and will not scam you.
• Look for subtle discrepancies in design, poor grammar, or odd contact information.

What to Do If You Suspect a Scam

If you encounter a communication, job offer, or website you believe is falsely using the HardNetSoft name:

• Cease Communication: DO NOT CLICK ON ANY LINKS, DOWNLOAD ATTACHMENTS, OR PROVIDE ANY PERSONAL OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION UNTIL YOU CAN VERIFY LEGITIMACY
• Report It to Us: Forward the suspicious email(s) or message screenshot(s) with details of the encounter to our dedicated security team to verify authenticity at: breach@hardnetsoft.com
• Report to Authorities: We encourage you to report any confirmed fraudulent activity to your local law enforcement or cybersecurity authority. In many countries, you can file a report with agencies like the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) or your national cybercrime unit.

Your awareness is the first and most powerful line of defense. By staying informed and verifying before you act, you help protect yourself and the integrity of our shared digital ecosystem.

Contact & Incident Reporting

Issue Type:	Contact Channel
Credential/Data Compromise	breach@hardnetsoft.com
Scam/Spam Activity	breach@hardnetsoft.com
General Inquiry	mail@hardnetsoft.com

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Last updated Q1 2026 per our Blockchain-Verified Policy Ledger
(View TX#: HSEC-9E3G8B2)