If you’re a content creator, you need to read this. The same scam could be coming your way.
The email I received looked official. It came from what appeared to be a real law firm. It included legal language, specific demands, and a deadline. Everything about it was designed to make me panic and act fast.
It was a scam.
Here’s what happened and what you should do if the same email lands in your inbox.
What the Email Looked Like
The email claimed I had committed copyright infringement. It was signed by an “attorney” from a firm called Commonwealth Legal Services. The tone was firm and direct. To anyone who didn’t know better, it looked like the real thing.
Here’s the full text of the email:
From: Noah Carter | Commonwealth Legal Services <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, Mar 27, 2026 at 5:22 AM
Subject: DMCA Copyright Infringement Notice
To: <[email protected]>
Dear owner of https://frankbuck.org/email-after-vacation/,
We’re reaching out on behalf of the Intellectual Property Division of a notable entity, in relation to an image connected to our associated client: Ice Baths Australia.
Image Reference: https://i.imgur.com/YPJWbpm.png
Image Placement: https://frankbuck.org/email-after-vacation/
We’ve observed the above image being used at the above specified placement. We are emailing you to insist our client Ice Baths Australia is correctly credited. A visible link to https://theicebath.com.au/ is necessary, placed either below the image or in the page’s footer. This needs to be addressed within the next five business days.
We’re sure you recognize the urgency of this request. Kindly understand that simply removing the image does not rectify the issue. Should we not see appropriate action within the given timeframe, we will reference case No. 86331 and implement legal proceedings as outlined in DMCA Section 512 (c).
For your convenience, past usage records can be reviewed using the Wayback Machine at https://web.archive.org, the main recognized digital web archive.
Take this communication as a formal notice. We value your swift action and expect your cooperation.
Regards
Noah Carter
Trademark Attorney
Commonwealth Legal Services
3909 N 16th St, 4th Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85016
[email protected]
www.cwl-experts.org
The Website Was Fake
The email included a web address for the firm. When I visited the site, I found a polished, professional-looking website. There was even a photo of an impressive building meant to suggest a real office.
Fake. All of it.
The website also listed the firm’s attorneys, complete with photos. One of those photos belonged to the “attorney” who signed my email.
Also fake.
The Arizona State Bar Already Knows
The Arizona State Bar Association is very familiar with Commonwealth Legal Services.
These scammers have been at this for a while. You’re not the first target, and you won’t be the last.
A Word of Caution
Be careful about the photos you use. If you take the photo yourself, you’re fine. If you want to use a photo you find online, be sure that it is from a source that allows you to use it. That way, you don’t run into legitimate claims that you violated copyright restrictions. In my case, the image that I used, a drain in a sink, was one from a site that allowed me to download photos without attribution.
Good sites to find free photos you can use include Pixabay.com, Pexels.com, and Unsplash.com.
What to Do If You Get This Email
Follow these steps before you do anything else:
- Do not respond to the email.
- Do not click any links inside it.
- Do not pay anything.
- Search for the law firm independently and verify it through your state bar association.
- Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is.
These scammers count on panic. They want you to feel like you did something wrong so you’ll act fast without thinking. Don’t give them that. A little research goes a long way.
Spread the Word
Share this post with a fellow content creator. The more people who know about this copyright infringement scam, the fewer people who get fooled. And if you haven’t subscribed to my newsletter yet, now is a great time. I cover real situations like this one so you can stay ahead of the game.
Be careful about the photos you use, and there’s no need to fear. Panic is their friend.
If you enjoyed this content, join the email list so you never miss a thing. You receive two gifts for joining. One gets your desk clean. The other puts everything you have to do in one digital place. It’s time to Get Organized! and make it look easy.
Want to see more videos? Visit the YouTube channel.
Want to listen instead? Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or search for Get Organized! by Dr. Frank Buck wherever you listen to podcasts.
Leave a Comment