Walmart, T-Mobile, Costco, Verizon, Amazon, USPS, Netflix, and Wells Fargo — Top Phishing Scams of the Week
Author: Trend Micro
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 Walmart, T-Mobile, Costco, Verizon, Amazon, USPS, Netflix, and Wells Fargo. Would you have been able to spot all the scams?
Online Survey Phishing Scams
Impersonating famous brands and companies, scammers send out fake text messages and emails containing phishing links and try to entice you into opening them with various lies.
These phishing links will often lead to online survey pages that state you can claim a gift by filling out an online questionnaire. Scammers can record the data you enter onto these pages and use it to commit crimes such as identity theft. Below are some common scams with examples.
Walmart Scam
We’ve reported on Walmart scams several times before. Circulating via email, these Walmart “reward” scams are back again! Promising you an exclusive offer, scammers try to lure you into clicking on the embedded button:
The button will take you to a Walmart survey page where you’re asked to enter personal information, including your name, home address, and even credit card details. These credentials will end up in scammers’ hands, and they can use them to commit other cybercrimes and steal your identity. Don’t get scammed!
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T-Mobile Survey Scam
Back in April, we wrote about fake T-Mobile text messages in which scammers falsely claim you can get a $100 reward via an embedded link. Well, these scams are back again:
- T-mobile, We REWARD loyalty! give us your Feedback & Enjoy $100 0n Us! <URL>
If you take the bait, you will be led to a fake T-Mobile online survey page that says you can win an iPhone 14:
Scammers will eventually require you to provide credit card information for the delivery of the iPhone. Again, scammers can access any credentials entered. Watch out!
Costco Survey Scam
Costco scams are rampant all the time, and this week we’ve spotted a new version featuring an iPhone 14 Pro as a reward spreading via text messages:
- We’ve been contacting 8646400935 for 2 days! Your iPhone 14 Pro will be returned to Costco Inc. if you fail to collect it in: <URL>
The (phishing) page says that you can win an iPhone 14 Pro Max after you complete the survey:
This site is dangerous and you could end up exposing your sensitive information, including your banking details. Don’t get scammed!
Verizon Scam
We’ve reported on Verizon “text from myself” scams before. Recently scammers have started to impersonate Verizon and send people fake emails…again!
As we often stress, the embedded button will take you to a fake Verizon survey page where you could end up exposing your sensitive data. Don’t get scammed!
Phishing links will also often take you to fake login pages that will end up asking you for your personal information and/or login credentials. Below are some examples:
Amazon Scam
Did you get the deal you wanted during the Amazon Prime Early Access Sale? Be careful if you received a security alert text message that (incorrectly) appears to have been sent by Amazon. Scammers try to trick you into thinking that there are issues with your account’s security and prompt you to click on the phishing link to secure your account:
Amazon-Support: Suspicious login attempts on your account. Please secure here: <URL>
Once again, if you click on the link in the message, you will be taken to a website designed to steal your personal information — a fake Amazon login page.
And once the scammers have got their hands on your personal information, well, they’re pretty much free to commit any crime they want — in your name!
UPS/USPS Scam
This is not the first time we’ve written about USPS text message scams. Beware if you are waiting for packages because scammers pose as delivery companies like UPS and USPS and send you fake delivery notifications, tricking you into visiting the attached links to track your packages:
- ups – your package cannot be delivered because the city on the package label does not match the zip code. {URL}
- the logistics warehouse has your package, and the information cannot be delivered without complete information. please update asap {URL}
These links will take you to a fake USPS tracking page that looks like the legitimate one. Be careful! Note: Take a close look at the web address. The legitimate one is usps.com.
Netflix
“Your subscription is about to expire.” Have you received a Netflix payment alert email like this? Don’t click on anything; it’s a scam!
If you fall for it and click on the “Update Profile” button, you will be taken to a fake Netflix website that requests your login credentials and credit card information. Below is an example:
Wells Fargo
Scammers also love to impersonate well-known banks. They tell you that you have to perform account verification to secure your bank account via the link they send you:
You know what will happen next: a fake Wells Fargo login page will pop up. The fake site and the official one look extremely alike. Be cautious!
How to Stay Safe from Scams
- Pay close attention to URLs — are they legitimate?
- Double-check the sender’s mobile number/email address.
- Free gifts and prizes are always a major red flag.
- Go to the official website/application instead of using links from unknown sources.
- Never click on links or attachments from unknown sources. Use Trend Micro Check to surf the web safely (it’s free!).
- Add an extra layer of protection to your devices 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:
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