Spotify, PayPal, LinkedIn, FedEx, Netflix, Ray-Ban, & MORE — Top Scams & Phishing Attempts of the Week
This week we’ve found a large number of scams that you need to watch out for, including ones relating to Spotify, PayPal, LinkedIn, FedEx, Netflix, Ray-Ban, and MORE. Would you have been able to spot all the scams?
Phishing Scams
Impersonating famous brands and companies, scammers send out fake text messages and emails containing phishing links and try to entice you into opening them with various lies. These phishing links will often lead to fake login pages that will end up asking you for your personal information and/or login credentials.
One of the most common tactics scammers use is to falsely claim that there are issues with your account. Below are some examples.
Spotify Phishing Email
Posing as Spotify, the scammers prompt you to click on the embedded button to fix (nonexistent) issues with your payment method:
The button will take you to a fake Spotify login page that’s designed to record any credentials you submit. With them, scammers can take control of your accounts and commit crimes such as identity theft. Be careful!
FAKE Spotify login page
REAL Spotify login page
It could be hard sometimes to tell if a login page is legitimate. Please always check the web address; the web domain of an official Spotify page should always end with spotify.com.
An Easy Way to Shield Yourself from Scams — 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!
After you’ve pinned the Trend Micro Check extension, it will block dangerous sites automatically! (Available on Safari, Google Chrome, and Microsoft Edge).
You can also download the Trend Micro Check mobile app for 24/7 automatic scam and spam detection and filtering. (Available for Android and iOS).
Check out this page for more information on Trend Micro Check.
PayPal Phishing Texts
We’ve detected PayPal scams several times before, and this week they are circulating again:
- Your PaypaI’s account has been Iimited, because we have detected suspicious activity on your account. Recover your account immediateIy by cIick link bellow: <URL> PIease take action on your account within 48 hours to avoid permanent suspension.
If you take the bait and click on the attached link, you will end up on this fake PayPal login page and could be tricked into exposing your credentials:
LinkedIn Phishing Scam
If you have a LinkedIn account and get email notifications, please check them carefully before following any instructions or clicking any links. We found that scammers are sending fake job offer notifications:
These embedded buttons/links, again, will take you to fake login pages. You already know what comes next — the scammers can steal all your sensitive data and use it for their own good.
The phishing links will also often lead to online survey pages that state you can claim a gift by filling out an online questionnaire. Likewise, these questionnaires are phishing pages, and scammers can gain access to the data you enter into them:
FedEx
We’ve seen FedEx delivery scams before, but this time there in a different form. Telling you that you’ve been chosen to receive a special offer, scammers try to lure you into clicking on the link to claim the gift:
The link leads to a FedEx survey page where you could end up exposing personal information, including your name, home address, and even credit card details. Don’t fall for it!
Netflix Scam
Following the fake Netflix job offer scam we reported on earlier this week, there have been phishing attempts featuring a free Netflix subscription as a gift:
- Netflix: Congrats Tracy! You are chosen to receive a FREE 2-years subscription from us <URL>
Below is what the fake Netflix survey page will look like. Don’t enter anything here!
Black Friday Shopping Scam
As Black Friday approaches (how exciting!), more and more scam websites have emerged. Scammers have been spreading their malicious online shops via text messages and emails; did you receive any of them?
#1 – Ray-Ban (Email)
#2 – Costa Del Mar (Text Message)
- Costa Sunglasses Black Friday Sale] Costa Today Enjoy 70% Off! 31.9$ Shop Now <URL> Reply stop unsubscribe
#3 – Crocs (Text Message)
- CROCS | Exclusive Black Friday Deals] Extra 74% Off Clearance. Save $15 With Orders of $100. Now <URL> Reply stop unsubscribe +1********62
#4 – Kay Jewelers (Text Message)
- KAY Black Friday Sale]KAY Today Enjoy 70% Off! 39$ Shop Now <URL> Reply stop unsubscribe
Stay Safe from Scams All the Time
- Shop only on legitimate online stores. Do your homework and read reviews!
- 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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2 Comments
- By Elizabeth palomino | November 24, 2022
- By Rose Hough | November 13, 2022