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Costco 40th Anniversary Scam
several months ago, we saw a batch of Costco anniversary scams spread via sociable media. well, they ’ ve gone viral again !
Impersonating Costco, scammers send you links to fake promotional campaigns via Facebook Messenger and prompt you to click on them :
Source: Facebook If you click on the connect, you could have your Facebook account hacked or end up unwittingly exposing your personal information. Plus, your Facebook account could be compromised and then used to spam all your contacts with the same victimize radio link !
In fact, phishing scams are one of the scammers ’ favorite weapons ! Conventionally, while impersonating celebrated brands, they send out fake text messages and emails containing phishing links to entice you into opening them with promises of “ prizes ” or “ discounts ”.
So where do these phishing links lead to ?
Fake online survey pages
Most normally, these links lead to online survey pages that state you can claim a give by filling out an on-line questionnaire. After that, you are prompted to enter credit circuit board numbers before your “ endowment ” can be delivered. here are a few examples :
iPhone 13 Survey Scams
reminder : Your $ 8627 gov ’ thyroxine concede has been APPR0VED. You need to cIaim it before 2/11
In other instances, the links take you to fake log-in pages that seem to belong to diverse brands. These pages require you to submit log in credentials to check a package ’ south rescue status, variety account settings, or whatever early tasks the scammers have asked you to complete.
Their ultimate goal is to steal your personal information — they ’ ll record everything you enter on these forge pages and use it to commit cybercrimes : for example, hack into your deposit report or steal your identity. Don ’ triiodothyronine let them !
Amazon Survey Scam
Amazon survey/gift poster scams are another reoccurring victimize version we ’ ve reported on before :
We are thus glad you have chosen us as your supplier and given the prospect for growth. here ’ s a fiddling something from us
As with other scams, the link takes you to an online survey page where you could end up exposing your personal information. Watch out!
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Walmart Dyson Survey Scam
final week we wrote about a Walmart view scam featuring the Dyson V11 vacuum clean, and it is distillery circulating via electronic mail :
The link will direct you to a juke on-line view page that tries to collect your delivery address and credit rating batting order details.
Read more: 1000 Island Sushi Menu Recipes
Walgreens Survey Scam
Besides Walmart, scammers have besides been posing as Walgreens and falsely stating you can get a free iPad Pro after completing an on-line survey :
As you can imagine, the link will lead to a forge survey page where you could end up exposing personal credentials like your credit wag details. Be careful !
Fake log-in pages
In other instances, the links take you to fake log-in pages such as the ones below.
For model, scammers use juke support emails to try to lure you into clicking on implant phishing links :
Their ultimate goal is to steal your personal information — they ’ ll record everything you enter on these bogus pages and use it to commit cybercrimes : for example, machine politician into your bank account or steal your identity. Don ’ deoxythymidine monophosphate let them !
Valentine’s Day Scams
Scammers have besides been sending phishing messages featuring Valentine ’ s Day promotional campaigns :
Sprint
sprlnt-valentines msg* phone is the wlnner of an iph0ne 13. catch by the end of 2/14. { URL } stop to end
The attached connection, again, will take you to an on-line review page. Don ’ deoxythymidine monophosphate decrease for it !
other than phishing scams, we ’ ve besides detected many talk through one’s hat on-line denounce sites :
Kay Jewelers
[ k-a-y valentines day sale ] 50 % off ! extra $ 12 off for $ 99 & free ship over $ 69 ! buy it immediately hxxps : //www [. ] ypestie [. ] shop/ ? 13 | text barricade to opt out
[ valentine ’ s day sale ] k ay-gifts she ’ ll love ! up to 80 % off ! extra $ 10/ $ 15 off for $ 89/ $ 150 ! buy now hxxps : //www [. ] mskrvh [. ] com/ ? 17 textbook end to opt out
Costa Sunglasses
[ gifts for him or her ] carbon monoxide stas valentine ’ mho day – 70 % off ! extra 15 % on over $ 150 ! catch now hxxps : //www [. ] pzydig [. ] shop/ ? dt25 text check to opt out
LinkedIn Email Scam
sometimes it is surprising where the scam links in talk through one’s hat emails lead to. For exercise, we reported on fake LinkedIn e-mail notifications a while ago :
It turns out that the imposter links lead to scam/explicit dating websites where you could finally lose your personal information a well as money. Don ’ triiodothyronine fall for it !
How to Protect Yourself
- Double-check the sender’s mobile number/email address.
- Free gifts or prizes are always a major red flag.
- Always go to the official website/application instead of using links from unknown sources.
- Use Trend Micro Check to surf the web safely (it’s free!)
- Add an extra layer of protection to your device with Trend Micro Maximum Security. Its Web Threat Protection, Ransomware Protection, Anti-phishing, and Anti-spam Protection can help you combat scams and cyberattacks. Click the button below to give it a try:
As ever, if you ’ ve found this article an interesting and/or helpful understand, please do SHARE it with friends and family to help keep the on-line community dependable and protected .