This week we’ve found a large number of scams that you need to watch out for, including ones relating to FIFA, Coinbase, LinkedIn, Netflix, Walmart, and Costco. Would you have been able to spot all the scams?

FIFA Award Email Scam​

The FIFA World Cup 2022 will start in 2 days, but soccer fans are not the only ones excited for this big event — scammers are, too! We’ve detected fake emails posing as FIFA World Cup 2022 officials:

In such scam emails, scammers try to trick you into thinking that you’ve won $5,000,000 in a promotional campaign. They instruct you to claim the money by replying to their email and providing detailed personal information, including your name, address, phone number, etc.

Scammers can thus use the information for their own good and commit identity theft. Don’t fall for it!

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.

Coinbase

Scammers love to send fake emails pretending to be well-known cryptocurrency companies such as Coinbase. Falsely claiming that you must verify your crypto wallet, scammers prompt you to click on the embedded button:

The (phishing) link will take you to a fake Coinbase login page that’s designed to record any credentials you submit. With your login information and 12-word seed phrase, scammers can take control of your crypto wallet and transfer every “bit” away.

It would be nearly impossible to get the stolen cryptocurrency back since they are decentralized. Be careful and don’t get scammed!

Stay Protected from 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.

LinkedIn

We’ve reported on fake LinkedIn email notifications several times before, and this week there are still a lot of similar ones floating around:

These embedded buttons/links, again, will take you to fake login pages. You already know what comes next — the scammers will try to steal all your sensitive data and use it for their own good!

Netflix

We’ve written about Netflix phishing scams plenty of times, but the scammers just never cease to target more would-be victims.

By tricking you with reports of false account issues, scammers try to lure you into clicking on their phishing links which lead to fake Netflix login pages. Watch out!

Besides fake login pages, these phishing links will often lead to online survey pages that state you can claim a gift by filling out an online questionnaire:

Walmart Text Message Scam

• FRM:|<URL>|Verification#xuebHiDY MSG:$100 Store Credit for Finishing Quick Walmart Survey|Verification#xuebHiDYHMBf

Below is an example of what a Walmart scam survey page looks like:

Costco Black Friday Scam

Black Friday always sees an increase in shopping-related scams. Be careful!

• C0STC0 BIack Friday SpeciaI: You’re being sent 1OO bucks, to spend in store/onIine – Accept yours by, going here today <URL> 802

And as we’ve stressed many times, scammers will record any information you submit on these fake pages, and they can use it to commit crimes such as identity theft. Don’t let them!

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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