Copyright Strike Takedown Phishing on Discord
Fake copyright infringement claims sent via Discord DM threaten server owners and creators with bot removal or account suspension unless they click external links or pay settlement fees.
Part of: Copyright Strike & Takedown Phishing
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Discord servers that host bots, music, art, or other creative content are targets for fake copyright takedown notices. Server administrators — who bear responsibility for their communities — are particularly susceptible because they have both the authority to act and a strong incentive to protect their server from removal.
Fake copyright claims on Discord exploit the platform's comparatively informal communication style: receiving a DM about a legal matter can feel more urgent and personal than an email, prompting faster action with less scrutiny.
How this scam works on Discord
A DM arrives from an account impersonating a rights management organisation or Discord's trust and safety team, claiming that the recipient's server or specific content infringes copyright. A link is provided to submit a counter-notice or pay a settlement before the server is removed.
The link leads either to a phishing page collecting Discord credentials or to a fraudulent payment portal. Some messages threaten that the server will be taken down within hours, creating urgency that short-circuits careful verification.
A variant targets bot developers: a DM claims that the bot infringes a specific library or API's licence terms and demands that the developer click a verification link to certify compliance — a link that actually harvests the developer's Discord and GitHub credentials.
Common red flags
- Discord DM claiming copyright infringement with a link to dispute or settle outside Discord's official platform
- Urgency language threatening server removal within hours if no action is taken
- Payment portal linked from a copyright claim DM rather than from Discord's official administrative interface
- Account claiming to be Discord staff that does not have the verified Discord Staff badge
- DM referencing specific server content that could have been found simply by visiting the public server
How to protect yourself
- Verify any copyright claim by checking your server's official Discord notification panel and email from @discord.com
- Check that any account claiming to be Discord staff has the official verified Discord Staff badge
- Never click links in copyright claim DMs before independently verifying through Discord's official help centre
- Enable two-factor authentication on your Discord account to protect it if credentials are phished
- Report the DM and the sending account to Discord's trust and safety team immediately
- Respond to genuine copyright concerns only through Discord's official report and dispute interface
How to report it
- Report the account to Discord's trust and safety team at dis.gd/report
- Forward details to Discord's official support via the Help Centre if impersonation of Discord staff is involved
- File a complaint with your national cybercrime unit if credentials were compromised
Frequently asked questions
My server got a copyright threat DM — how do I verify it without risking removal by ignoring it?
Check your server's official Discord notification panel and the email associated with your account for any matching genuine notice, since real actions are also recorded there. Responding through that actual official channel, rather than the DM, is the safe way to address a real concern without falling for a fake one.
Is it risky for bot developers specifically to receive these fake copyright DMs?
Yes, somewhat more so — bot developers often have both Discord and linked developer accounts that could be compromised together if they enter credentials on a fake 'compliance verification' link, giving an attacker broader access than just the Discord account alone.
What's the safest way to respond if I genuinely believe my server might have a copyright issue?
Address it proactively through Discord's own official reporting and dispute tools rather than waiting for or responding to any DM claiming to represent a rights holder, since the legitimate process doesn't require third-party involvement or payment.
How does Discord handle real DMCA copyright notices?
Legitimate DMCA actions against Discord content go through Discord's official IP complaint process. Discord notifies affected server owners through their registered email and through in-platform notifications. Real copyright enforcement actions never arrive only via a DM from an unverified account and never require payment to a third party.