This week we’ve found a large number of scams that you need to watch out for, including ones relating to Venmo, Shell, Walmart, Netflix, T-Mobile, Zizmall[.]com, Zale Jewelry, and Muama Ryoko WiFi. 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 will 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. Here are some examples:

Venmo $750 Reward Scam

Do you use Venmo? This week we’ve seen scammers using Memorial Day to try to trick you — promising you a $750 gift card, they prompt you to click on the attached phishing link:

• Happy MEMORIAL DAY from V E N M 0! You are 1 of 15 LUCKY CUST0MERS receiving $750.00 from us TODAY! <URL> txtSTOP2UnSub

The link leads to a Venmo online survey page.

Of course, there is NO gift card — 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!

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Trend Micro Check is a browser extension and mobile app for detecting scams, phishing attacks, malware, and dangerous links — and it’s FREE!

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Shell Gas Gift Card Scam

As the price of gas has skyrocketed over the last few months, a $500 gift card from a gas station sounds more appealing than ever. We’ve found that scammers have been posing as Shell and falsely claiming that they are holding a giveaway, luring you to click on the attached link to take part:

• SHEII-Gas: 6265063553 is 1 out of 10 WlNNERS of a $500SHEll GlFTCARDs WEEKLY GlVEAWAY. CIaim yours: <URL> txtSTOP2UnSub

Again, the link will take you to an online survey page — scammers will record everything you enter here and use it for their own good. Watch out!

Walmart Gift Card Email Scam

We’ve seen way too many Walmart survey scams lately. Scammers pretend to be from Walmart and invite you to join in on a fake gift card campaign. Don’t fall for it!

Netflix Reward Email Scam

Give feedback on your Netflix experience and get an exclusive reward? That’s a scam! Like all the Netflix scams we’ve reported on, scammers try hard to get you to visit a fake Netflix online survey page. Don’t click on the embedded link!

T-Mobile Survey Scam

T-Mobile text message scams have also reappeared. This week they are circulating via email:

Note: you won’t get any gifts, and your sensitive data will end up in the scammers’ hands!

Online Shopping Scams

Online shopping scams never stop. This week we’ve spotted some examples in which scammers have been promoting scam products with spam emails and text messages:

Zizmall[.]com

Featuring essentials such as masks and socks, this website has been popular recently. However, this is a SCAM shopping site. There is no guarantee when it comes to disputes and refunds. Don’t fall for it!

Muama Ryoko WiFi

We wrote about this scam portable Wi-Fi device last week. The spam emails are still rampant — be careful!

Zale Jewelry

Scammers also spread links to fake online shopping sites with text messages. This week, they falsely used the name of Zale Jewelry:

• [zales jewelrys] get 70% off. lowest price $19! free shipping for 2! extra $10 off for $89. view all hxxps://zales[.]ugyasr[.]com/?520 reply stop unsubscribe

Note: Take a look at the web address. The legitimate one is zales.com!

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.