This week we’ve found a large number of scams that you need to watch out for, including ones relating to Netflix, Walmart, Best Buy, iPhone 14, USPS, Samsung, and DHL. Would you have been able to spot all the scams?

Impersonating famous brands, scammers send out fake text messages containing phishing links and try to entice you into opening them with various lies. Below are some examples.

Payment Scams

Sending you notifications about problems with your subscription to online services or confirmation of charges, scammers prompt you to click on the attached link to review your account status or verify your information:

#1 – Netflix

• (Netflix) Hi member! This is a message to inform you that your payment failed. To keep watching your favorite TV shows, follow this: <URL>

The phishing link will take you to a fake Netflix page. In this case, it’s a page that shows random promotional codes. It will end up asking you for detailed payment information and your Netflix account login credentials.

Scammers will record everything you enter on the fake login page and use it to commit cybercrimes and steal your identity. Don’t let them!

Avoid Phishing Scams with Trend Micro Check

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

Check out this page for more information on Trend Micro Check.

#2 – Walmart

Walmart is one of the most commonly impersonated companies in phishing scams. This week we detected one such phishing scam circulating via text message:

• 🍦 $203.34 charged by Walmart. Check out your dashboard for more: <URL>

Phishing links will often lead 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’s no gift, and your personal information could be stolen. Be careful!

Sweepstakes Survey Scam

Speaking of fake survey pages, scammers also love to spread them via emails featuring irresistible rewards such as the upcoming iPhone 14:

#1 – Best Buy (ft. iPhone 14 Pro Max)

We’ve observed a lot of fake Best Buy sweepstakes emails featuring the iPhone 14 as a gift.

Scammers promise you that you can win it by simply taking an online survey. If you take the bait, again, you could end up exposing your credentials on the fake pages. Beware!

#2 – USPS (ft. Samsung Galaxy S21)

Besides the iPhone 14, Samsung’s S21 is also a popular “free gift” in survey scams. Posing as USPS, scammers trick you into joining their giveaway campaign via the embedded button that leads to a fake survey page.

Delivery Notification Scams

Another one of the scammers’ beloved tactics is fake delivery notifications. They falsely claim that you have missed the delivery of a package or that you have to pay a delivery fee before you can receive it. The notifications always contain a phishing link that the scammers want you to click on.

#1 – DHL

“Your package is coming!” “Get your suspended package!”

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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