The IRS, Binance, Google, iPhone 13, and Walgreens — Phishing Scams of the Week
Author: Trend Micro
This article is from Trend Micro.
This week we’ve found a large number of phishing scams that you need to watch out for, including ones relating to the IRS, iPhone 13, Walgreens, Binance, Google, and more. Would you have been able to spot all the scams?
Phishing scams are 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.
Most commonly, the links take you to fake log-in pages that seem to belong to various brands. These pages require you to submit log-in credentials to check a package’s delivery status, change account settings, or whatever other tasks the scammers have asked you to complete.
The IRS Scam
Posing as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), scammers send you text messages that instruct you to file your taxes, claim refunds, or finish some other tax-related task via the attached links:
(irs):recently, we found that you haven’t fulfilled your latest tax deductions. Visit hxxps://resolve-irs[.]com/forms to fulfill.
The links will take you to fake IRS pages, where you could end up exposing personal details, including your home address, date of birth, or your Individual Tax ID Number (ITIN). Don’t get scammed!
For more tips on how to stay safe during the tax season, please visit this page.
So, what do scammers want? Their ultimate goal is to steal your personal information — they’ll record everything you enter on these fake pages and use it to commit cybercrimes: e.g., hack into your bank account or steal your identity. Don’t let them!
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Binance Email Scam
We’ve previously reported on Binance SMS phishing scams, in which scammers send links that lead to fake Binance login pages to victims, luring them into entering their account credentials. However, now the scam has started to circulate via email, too:
Scammers instruct you to link your crypto wallet to your Binance account via the embedded link to “secure your assets”. The link will take you to a fake Binance website that looks similar to the legitimate one:
Fake web address: walletbinance[.]com
Note: the web address of the legitimate Binance website is binance.com. Always look closely!
In other instances, scammers use Google Photos as a hook to try to lure in victims:
The attached links in these emails will direct you to fake Google login pages — you could end up having your login credentials leaked!
Besides fake login pages, the links, in other instances, will lead to online survey pages that state you can claim a gift by filling out an online questionnaire. After you complete to questionnaire, you are prompted to enter credit card details before your “gift” can be delivered. Here are a few examples:
iPhone 13 Survey Scam
Online survey scams featuring expensive electronic products like iPads, AirPods, and iPhones are certainly nothing new. This week we found a lot of scam text messages that promise a free iPhone 13 Pro Max:
This is your payment approval janis! Your iPhone 13 PRO MAX can be delivered tomorrow: <URL>
As mentioned, after you complete the survey, you will have to provide credit card information before you can receive the “reward.” Don’t get scammed!
Walgreens Survey Scam
Last week we observed Walmart survey scams, but this week the scammers have switched to impersonating Walgreens — although the overall layout of the scam pages has largely remained the same:
Awesome news from Walgreens, david RUDRUD! Your receipt won our weekly draw and you're receiving a GIFT CARD giveaway from Walgreens. Enjoy! <URL>
In the end, you’ll have to provide your credit card number, its expiration date, and even the CVC code before you can get your gift delivered. Of course, no gift will ever appear!
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 read, please do SHARE it with friends and family to help keep the online community secure and protected.
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