The reports state that it hasn't yet been possible to trace either the e-mail or its source, but its sender seems to be McDonald's Online. As per the fake e-mail, if users reply to certain questions about the service and food of McDonald's, then they'll be rewarded. But it asks for their payment card details.

Many people have contacted McDonald's and told the food retail company about the phony electronic mail.

But McDonald's dismissed any involvement in the newly emerging e-mails. It explained that it was in no way connected with the survey. The food and services company once again said that it didn't ever contact consumers in this fashion. Moreover, it didn't have any relation with the e-mail; therefore, people shouldn't take for granted anything written in it, McDonald's requested.

McDonald's, which claims itself as a major fast-food retail chain worldwide, maintains that for conducting market surveys, it solely engages trusted research firms and wouldn't ever request information such as credit card or bank details from its consumers.

Kelly Gunn, Communication Assistant of McDonald's, states that the company has notified police, as reported by Radio New Zealand News on June 21, 2010. Meanwhile, McDonald's issued an alert dated June 21, 2010 following the knowledge of the false e-mail and its increased circulation.

However, security specialists advise people on how they can save themselves from becoming a victim of the fraudulent phishing e-mail. First, the e-mail should be deleted without answering any question. Moreover, users shouldn't follow any given web-links since they can divert Internet-users to harmful sites or load malware on their computers.

Lastly, the specialists recommend the installation of anti-phishing programs on users' computers that will spot phishing e-mails which try to steal personal information. Actually, they remind that identity thieves simply require some personal details to skillfully exploit any chance for capturing the identity of a user.