As scammers keep updating tactics and tricks, some classic scams never cease to appear, for example, phishing links through text messages. Pretending to be from famous companies, hitting you up with fake alerts or too-good-to-be-true deals, all scammers want is you to send money or sensitive information for their own good.

In this post, we will share the details of four popular scams: census smishing, Amazon raffle and parcel tracking survey scams, Woolworths shipping smishing, and the scammy “Creelcate” shopping website. Check how these scams work and learn tips on avoiding them.

Census Text Message Phishing Scam

Recently many people have received text messages from Census UK, saying that there are issues about their census application and that they have to click on the attached link to update information:

Content
CENSUS: There is missing information from your census application. Failure to update your details may result in a £1000 penalty, visit:

The link scammers provide is a phishing link, leading you to a fake web page and asking you to enter personal information. Scammers will record the credentials you type and use them for identity theft!

Online Survey Scam

Online survey scams remain popular every week, and scammers leverage a variety of excuses in fake text messages to trick you into clicking on the phishing link they provide:

1. Amazon raffle / luckydraw
Amazon: Congratulations Stephen, you came in 3rd in today’s Amazon pods raffle! Click the link to  : <URL>
Congratulations You’re The Amazon Winner Of Today! Get your brand new MACBOOK PRO right now: <URL>
Good day Diane, we sent you an email regarding your Amazon Rewards. Here is what you can buy with it: <URL>
2. Amazon payment
Amazon: We thank you for your payment Sarah! <URL> ✅
3. Parcel delivery
Hey, this is Marc of Amazon, we tried to deliver your parcel today but it is returned back to us. Please contact us here ASAP <URL>
Amazon: Kiaziaa Nicole your order has been SHIPPED to:,! Confirm delivery time: <URL>
4. Fake Amazon notification
Amazon: You have 1 unread message <URL>

No matter what tactics scammers use, the scams unfold in similar ways. Once you click on the link, it will lead you to a fake online survey page. Scammers use expensive products such as iPhone 12 or iPad to lure you:

After you finish all the questions, you will have to enter personal information and banking details to “pay” for your gift. Of course, no gifts will ever appear. Instead, scammers have recorded the sensitive credentials you have submitted and use them for other scams such as identity theft:

Woolworths Shipping Scam

Scammers impersonate Australian supermarket Woolworths and send you text messages, falsely claiming that you have to “verify your credentials” through a link for your delivery:
Dear Customer, please verify your credentials for delivery today, otherwise your item will be returned: <URL>

Again, the link provided in the message is a phishing link. It takes you to a page that says you have won in their giveaway campaign and can get a MacBook Pro as a reward.

If you take the bait, you will need to enter banking details, including credit card number, expiration date, and CVC code, to redeem your gift. Scammers record the sensitive data and use it to steal your money as well as your identity.

Fake Shopping Website: creelcate.com

Looking for Christmas crystal balls online? Be cautious and take a closer look to avoid scam shopping websites. Scamadviser has reviewed the “creelcate.com” website in many ways:

• WHOIS record: The website is registered in China for less than 2 months.

• Location: Observing from Google Maps, you will see that the address provided by the website looks like a normal house instead of a legitimate company.
• Price: The prices on the website are too-good-to-be-true.
  In short, the website is a SCAM. Do not buy anything from it! For more tips on spotting scammy online shops, please visit here.

How to Protect Yourself

• Double-check the sender’s mobile number/email address.
• Reach out to the official website or customer support directly for help.
• Inspect an online shop carefully before spending your money on it.
• NEVER click links or attachments from unknown sources. Use Trend Micro ScamCheck to detect scams with ease!

Or use Trend Micro Maximum Security for a wider range of protection, including:

• Web Threat Protection when browsing the internet, defending you against bad websites that can steal your data or download malicious files.
• Machine Learning, to protect you from new and unknown threats.
• Ransomware protection via Folder Shield, to stop unauthorized changes and back-up files encrypted by suspicious programs.
• Anti-phishing and anti-spam protection for Outlook clients, as well as Gmail and Outlook webmail on the PC, and Gmail webmail on the Mac.
• Privacy Scanner (for Facebook and Twitter), Social Networking Protection for protection against malicious links in social networks, Pay Guard for protecting your online banking and buying.
• Parental Controls to limit which software and websites you kids may use.

If you find this article helpful, please SHARE to protect your family and friends!