This article is from Trend Micro.
This week we’ve found a large number of scams that you need to watch out for, including ones relating to Apple, Amazon, Citibank, iPhone 12, and more. Would you have been able to spot all the scams?
Phishing is one of the most commonly used tactics by scammers. Conventionally, while impersonating famous brands, they send out fake text messages and emails containing phishing links and try to entice you into opening them with various lies.
In such phishing schemes, the links lead you to fake log-in pages that appear to belong to various brands. These pages require you to submit log-in credentials to download a software update, change account settings, or whatever other tasks the scammers have asked you to complete. Here are some examples:
Posing as Apple, scammers send you texts that prompt you to update your payment information:
The page is a phishing site. Scammers can record any log-in information you submit. Why? So that they can use it to gain control over your Apple ID account and commit other cybercrimes like identity theft. Don’t fall for it!
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Did you receive a text message from Amazon that says you have to verify your account via an attached link? Don’t do so; it’s a scam!
Phishing links also often take you to online survey pages that state you can claim a gift by filling out an online questionnaire. After you complete the questionnaire, you are prompted to enter credit card details before your “gift” can be delivered.
Of course, there is NO gift — the scammers’ ultimate goal is to steal your personal information! As mentioned, they’ll record everything you enter on these fake pages and use it to commit cybercrimes: e.g., hack into your bank account, withdraw money, or steal your identity. Don’t let them!
Who doesn’t want a free iPhone? By sending people random texts about fake raffle campaigns featuring an iPhone 12 Pro as a reward, scammers try to lure you into clicking on the attached phishing links:
You could end up exposing your banking details like your credit card number and CVC code. Don’t get scammed!
Besides phishing links, scammers also attempt to steal your personal information with their old tricks. Pretending to be from famous brands, again, they make up various excuses — free gifts, security alerts, or whatever — to urge you into sending them your private data.
For example, this week we’ve detected over 40,000 fake emails impersonating Citibank:
Falsely claiming that you can inherit $23.3 million, the scammers ask you to reply to the email with your personal information, including your full name, address, phone number, identification, and occupation, to receive the payment. That sounds too good to be true, right?
Online shopping scams are also everywhere. One of the common tactics scammers use is to promote scam products with spam emails. Recently we’ve spotted 2 examples:
The internet is already full of negative reviews about this mosquito zapper!
If you are searching for a portable Wi-Fi device, it’s best to do your homework before breaking out your credit card!
Have you fallen for a hoax, bought a fake product? Report the site and warn others!
As the influence of the internet rises, so does the prevalence of online scams. There are fraudsters making all kinds of claims to trap victims online - from fake investment opportunities to online stores - and the internet allows them to operate from any part of the world with anonymity. The ability to spot online scams is an important skill to have as the virtual world is increasingly becoming a part of every facet of our lives. The below tips will help you identify the signs which can indicate that a website could be a scam. Common Sense: Too Good To Be True When looking for goods online, a great deal can be very enticing. A Gucci bag or a new iPhone for half the price? Who wouldn’t want to grab such a deal? Scammers know this too and try to take advantage of the fact. If an online deal looks too good to be true, think twice and double-check things. The easiest way to do this is to simply check out the same product at competing websites (that you trust). If the difference in prices is huge, it might be better to double-check the rest of the website. Check Out the Social Media Links Social media is a core part of ecommerce businesses these days and consumers often expect online shops to have a social media presence. Scammers know this and often insert logos of social media sites on their websites. Scratching beneath the surface often reveals this fu
So the worst has come to pass - you realise you parted with your money too fast, and the site you used was a scam - what now? Well first of all, don’t despair!! If you think you have been scammed, the first port of call when having an issue is to simply ask for a refund. This is the first and easiest step to determine whether you are dealing with a genuine company or scammers. Sadly, getting your money back from a scammer is not as simple as just asking. If you are indeed dealing with scammers, the procedure (and chance) of getting your money back varies depending on the payment method you used. PayPal Debit card/Credit card Bank transfer Wire transfer Google Pay Bitcoin PayPal If you used PayPal, you have a strong chance of getting your money back if you were scammed. On their website, you can file a dispute within 180 calendar days of your purchase. Conditions to file a dispute: The simplest situation is that you ordered from an online store and it has not arrived. In this case this is what PayPal states: "If your order never shows up and the seller can't provide proof of shipment or delivery, you'll get a full refund. It's that simple." The scammer has sent you a completely different item. For example, you ordered a PlayStation 4, but instead received only a Playstation controller. The condition of the item was misrepresented on the product page. This could be the