This week we’ve found a large number of scams that you need to watch out for, including ones relating to Casey’s, UPS, Walmart, and Amazon. Would you have been able to spot all the scams?
Impersonating famous brands and companies, scammers send out phishing links (sometimes using text messages or emails) and try to entice you into opening them with various lies. These phishing links will often lead to online survey pages that state you can claim a gift by filling out an online questionnaire:
Casey’s Christmas Celebration Scam
Have you seen any of your friends sharing a link about Casey’s Christmas Celebration Gifts? Watch out. It’s a SCAM!
Recently a lot of people are sending and receiving random links titled “Casey’s Christmas Celebration Gifts” via Facebook Messenger that feature an $8,000 prize:
If you take the bait and click on the link, you will be taken to a scam page. Scammers prompt you to share the link with your friends to claim the (nonexistent) prize.
Just as in other anniversary scams that we’ve written about, the link is malicious — you could end up compromising your Facebook account. What’s even worse, scammers can record any credentials you submit on the page. Also, if you fall for it and send the scam link to your friends, you help create even more victims. Be careful!
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What if you’ve already clicked on the link?
- Inform those who you’ve sent the scam links to about the security issue as soon as possible.
- Change your password immediately.
- Create strong, tough-to-hack passwords with our online Password Generator (also 100% FREE!):
Walmart Gift Card Survey Scam
We’ve reported on Walmart scams several times before. This time, scammers are featuring a $2,000 gift card to try to trick you:
- Its Sonny with Walmart. Im pleased to present you are 1 of 3 WINNERS. CLAIM your prize now: <URL>
The fake Walmart survey page will instruct you to enter personal information, including your name, home address, and even credit card details. Again, remember, these credentials will end up in scammers’ hands, and they can use them to commit other cybercrimes and steal your identity. Don’t get scammed!
These phishing links will also often lead to fake login pages that will end up asking you for your personal information and/or login credentials. Again, scammers can record any data you enter and use it to take control of your account. Stay alert!
UPS Delivery Scam
Are you expecting packages that you bought on Black Friday or Cyber Monday? Be on the lookout for this scam!
Posing as UPS, scammers send a fake UPS delivery notification to you via email. They claim that you have missed the delivery of a package. The notifications always contain a phishing link that the scammers want you to click on:
Sometimes it could be hard to spot these fake emails because they’re often very similar to legitimate ones. So, always pay close attention to the sender’s email address!
The attached links will lead to fake UPS login pages. Don’t fall for it!
Fake Amazon Security Alert
Falsely claiming that there are safety issues with your Amazon account, scammers prompt you to take action to “recover” your account via the attached link that leads to a fake Amazon login page:
- Your Amazon account has been disabIed, because we have detected suspicious activity on your account. Recovery your account immediately by click Iink beIow: <URL> PIease take action on your account within 48 hours to avoid permanent suspension.
Protect Yourself from Phishing 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 ScamCheck 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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