This week, we’ve found lots of phishing scams in which scammers are impersonating trusted brands, including Dick’s Sporting Goods, Walmart, DHL, and MORE. Would you have been able to spot all these scams?  

Back-to-School Shopping Scam​s

We’ve detected over 205,466 scam URLs hosting fake back-to-school sales campaigns this year, and new ones continue to emerge daily! These scammers misuse the names of school supply and equipment brands in an attempt to trick you into placing orders on their copycat websites.

#1 – Dick’s Sporting Goods

For example, recently we’ve found lots of non-official websites impersonating Dick’s Sporting Goods. Can you tell the fake site below apart from the official website? (Note: the legitimate URL is dickssportinggoods.com)

Scammers have also been misusing the names of other brands and promoting fake web addresses via text messages:

#2 – Stasher

• Stasher: Head back to school with savings!   Get 25% off everything you need to get organized the sustainable way: <URL>   P.S. Get a FREE Go Bag when you spend $75 USD+

#3 – Slate Milk

• Slate Milk: Ready for back to school season?  We can help.  📦 Stock up on Slate before school starts and have your protein ready when you need it.  <URL>  There’s nothing better than a healthy routine.   Text STOP to opt-out

Don’t place any orders here! These shops are designed to appear legitimate, but they’re not! The web addresses are not long-established, and there is no guarantee when it comes to disputes or refunds.

There could also be privacy risks — any personally identifiable information (PII) you submit could be leaked, e.g. credit card details, delivery information, and more. With your PII, scammers can commit a large number of cybercrimes. For example, they could hack into your account or commit identity theft. Don’t let them!

Stay Away from Scams for FREE     

The truth is, there are lots of scams and scam sites on the internet and they’re getting even more difficult to detect with common sense alone. For an easy and reliable method of detecting and avoiding scam sites, check out our free browser extension (Trend Micro ID Protection ) and free mobile app (Trend Micro Check). 

Both ID Protection and Trend Micro Check can protect you against scams, phishing links, dangerous websites, and lots more! If you come across something dangerous online, you’ll be alerted in real time so you’ll know to stay well clear.    

Besides back-to-school deals, scammers also offer free gifts or vouchers to try to lure you into clicking on the phishing links they attach. These links will take you to phishing pages designed to steal your PII:

Walmart Survey Scam

We’ve written about fake Walmart text messages several times before. This time, scammers instruct you to claim the $500 reward using the phishing link:

• $500 to spend at Walmart could be yours. Follow this link <URL> (SNT – text STOP to unsub)

If you click the link, you will be taken to a fake Walmart raffle page. Watch out! You could end up exposing your PII as the page might ask you to provide these credentials to receive your reward (which doesn’t exist).

iPhone Giveaway Scam​

Who doesn’t want a free iPhone 14? But yes, it’s too good to be true:

• iPhone14 Ready Accept <URL>

The phishing link takes you to a fake raffle page (in this case, there’s even a fake Facebook comment section). Again, you could eventually reveal all your PII. Don’t fall for it!

Fake DHL​ Notification Email

In addition to free gifts and too-good-to-be-true deals, scammers also love to pose as delivery companies and send fake package notifications to try to trick you.

Falsely claiming that you need to pay a fee to get your package delivered, scammers guide you to click on the HTML attachment that leads to a FAKE DHL payment page. Don’t submit credit card info here!

Tips to Stay Safe Online

• Double-check the sender’s mobile number and email address. Even if it seems legitimate, think twice before you take any action.          
• Only use official websites and apps. Never click on dubious links!  
• If you’ve accidentally revealed your PII somewhere, change your passwords immediately and inform your bank and/or other companies that scammers may contact them pretending to be you. 
• Check if any of your PII has been leaked and secure your social media accounts using Trend Micro  ID Protection.   
• Finally, 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 will help you combat scams and cyberattacks.  

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