8 Phishing Scams of the Week: PS5, Browsing History, AT&T, Sports Jersey, Home Depot & MORE!

    ps5 scams

    Phishing scams have been one of the scammers’ favorite weapons for a long time. While impersonating famous brands, they send out fake text messages and emails containing phishing links with the aim of enticing you into opening them with promises of prizes or discounts.

    Most commonly, the phishing links lead to online survey pages that state you can claim a gift by completing an online questionnaire. After you fill out the survey, you are prompted to enter personal information, such as credit card numbers, before your “gift” can be delivered. In other instances, the links lead 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 your account settings, or whatever other task the scammers have asked you to complete.

    The scammers’ ultimate goal is to steal your information — 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!

    1. PS5 Delivery Scam

    The past year is likely to be a long one for those who’ve been waiting for their PlayStation 5! We’ve reported on PS5 lottery scams before, but now we’ve spotted a new take on SMS phishing scams, this time featuring the PS5. In this scam, the scammers falsely claim that your PS5 is going to be shipped and ask you to click on the attached link to view the status of the delivery:

    • Thank you CID#95076 Your P S .5 is ready to ship upon confirmation – <URL>
    Spot the Scam_PS5_0114

    As mentioned, the link will take you to a phishing website where you could end up exposing your personal information. Don’t fall for it!

    ScamCheck_Safari

    ScamCheck is an all-in-one browser extension for detecting scams, phishing attacks, malware, and dangerous links – and it’s FREE!

    After you’ve pinned ScamCheck, it will block dangerous sites automatically! It is now available on Safari, Google Chrome, and Microsoft Edge.

    Check out this page for more information on ScamCheck.

    2. Browsing History Scam

    We can all agree that sometimes we have some things in our browsing history that we’d rather keep a secret.  And now scammers are leveraging this to try to trick you:

    • Your browsing history showed visits to unsecured websites. You now have (3) virus on your device. Clean your phone <URL>
    Spot the Scam_browsing_0111

    Again, the link is a phishing link. Stay alert and don’t click on it!

    3. AT&T Survey Scam

    The December version of “AT&T bill paid” scams has been circulating for a few weeks:

    • ATT Free Msg: December bill is paid. Thanks,  Here’s a little gift for you:  <URL> Happy New Year

    The attached link will take you to a fake AT&T online survey page that promises you a free “Smart Health Watch”:

    Spot the Scam_ATT_1231_1

    As mentioned above, you will be asked to enter credit card information. (Of course, don’t do so!)

    Spot the Scam_ATT_1231_2

    M247 Europe New Year Scam

    We’ve written about scammers impersonating cloud services company M247 Europe SRL before, and now the scams have started to advertise Dyson vacuum cleaners as rewards:

    • Ronnie, the New Year is the perfect time to freshen up your home. And what better way than with a brand new DYSON Vacuum Cleaner? You’re one step closer when you complete this super quick survey and submit it back to us <URL>
    Spot the Scam_M247_0111_1

    Again, after that, you will have to enter credit card information (that will go straight into the scammers’ hands)!

    Spot the Scam_M247_0111_2

    5. Sports Jersey New Year Sale Scam

    We’ve seen tens of thousands of scam online shops, with most of them circulating via text messages containing tempting sales information:

    • [j\e\rs\ey weekend promotion] enjoy 70% off today. extra $3 off for over $60. view all <URL> text stop to opt out

    These messages always contain links to fake online shops:

    Spot the Scam_Jersey_0111

    As the BBB reported, bogus online websites may provide products or services of low quality. In some cases, victims didn’t even receive the products they paid for. Don’t shop on these websites!

    6. Kay Jewelers New Year Sale Scam

    Love jewelry? Kay Jewelers has long been impersonated, and here’s the latest version of the fake text messages:

    • [weekend deals] all 90% off-k’a’y jewelry’s! extra $10/$15 off for $89/$150! click here <URL> text stop to opt out
    Spot the Scam_Kay_0111

    7. Home Depot Scam

    We’ve seen at least 3 Home Depot scams, including fake official websites and phishing text messages — now there’s a new email version to watch out for! Posing as Home Depot, scammers tell you that you’ve been selected to receive an exclusive offer via the embedded button in the email.

    Spot the Scam_Home Depot_0111

    You already know what will happen! Don’t click on anything from unknown sources!

    8. Maersk Line Shipping Scam

    Package shipment scams are nothing new. In fact, they’re some of the most popular, with FedEx and DHL the most regularly impersonated companies. However, this week we detected a lot of fake emails pretending to be from Maersk Line:

    Spot the Scam_Maersk_0111

    Scammers instruct you to click on the links in the email to check on the status of your package. Again, the links are phishing links, leading to a fake tracking page where you are asked to enter personal information. Don’t fall for it!

    Fake Maersk Website
    fuerabox[.]com/

    Spot the Scam_Maersk_fake_0111

    Real Maersk Website
    www.maersk[.]com/

    Spot the Scam_Maersk_real_0111

    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 ScamCheck 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 with friends and family to help keep the online community secure and protected.

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