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 Text Messages / Emails

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:

Apple

Posing as Apple, scammers send you texts that prompt you to update your payment information:

• [apple-support]: your last payment failed, your features make be limtied. please change your payment information {URL}
• apple id-support: your last payment failed, please update your payment information {URL}

If you click on the attached link, you will be led to a fake Apple ID log-in page:

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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Amazon

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!

• (05/22/2022 01:10:11 pm) Amazon””Alerts, Your amazon””online is due for validation,verify now At: <URL>

As we’ve reported several times before, these fake Amazon text messages contain links that will take you to a scam login page pretending to be the legitimate Amazon one. Be careful!

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!

iPhone 12 Pro Survey Scam

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:

• 🥳 Greg Wilson, here’s your LAST CHANCE to claim your prize. You may have forgotten to claim your iPhone 12 Pro from us! Tap on the link to learn how to get it today. Link expires in one hour: <URL> 📦

The link will take you to an online survey page. Yes, you’re right — this is not the first time we’ve reported on such raffle scams. Free gifts used as a hook just never get old!

You could end up exposing your banking details like your credit card number and CVC code. Don’t get scammed!

Citibank Windfall Scam

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

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:

Buzz B-Gone Mosquito Zapper

The internet is already full of negative reviews about this mosquito zapper!

Muama Ryoko Wi-Fi

If you are searching for a portable Wi-Fi device, it’s best to do your homework before breaking out your credit card!

How to Protect Yourself

• Double-check the sender’s mobile number/email address.
• Free gifts and prizes are always a major red flag.
• Always shop only on legitimate online shops.
• 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 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.