This week we’ve seen suspicious YouTube program offers and phishing attempts in which scammers are impersonating Walmart, Apple, and more. Would you have been able to spot all of them? 

YouTube Digital Residuals Program – Is it legit?

If you’ve been on YouTube, you might have come across this ad that says you can join the new “YouTube Digital Residual Program” and earn millions. This is definitely too good to be true!

The creator claims in the ad that he’s made $150 a day via this program and is now inviting others to sign up for it.

If you proceed, the ad will take you to a page where you can fill in contact information and schedule a meeting for an online course, which may cost you an arm and a leg.

As per Scamadviser’s recent review, YouTube support replied that they are NOT aware of the “YouTube Digital Residual Program.”

The Final Word: The ad and the program are NOT legitimate. The creator’s goal is to sell you online courses that DON’T guarantee you any income. Think twice before you place any orders!

Phishing Attempts

Besides selling online courses, scammers often impersonate trusted brands and prompt you to click on malicious links that lead to phishing pages. There they can record all your PII, such as your Social Security number, login credentials, and credit card details. With all this information, they can steal your money as well as your identity.

They make up various pretenses to trick you. For example, they say you’ve won an award:

Walmart “Giftway” 2024 Scam

“Congratulations. You’ve received a $100 Walmart new 2024 gift card!” Did you see this message recently? Many people shared online that they’ve seen such Walmart giveaway campaigns on Facebook and wondered if they’re real. The short answer is that it’s a SCAM!

If you take the bait and click on the link, you will be taken to a fake Walmart survey page:

And the “GET STARTED NOW” button will lead you to an online questionnaire.

After answering a series of questions, you will be led to one of several other random scam websites. What’s worse, you might end up exposing your PII and losing money. Be careful!

Stay Away from Scams

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. However, for an easy and reliable method of detecting and avoiding scam sites, check out Trend Micro ID Protection.         
 
ID Protection can shield you from scams, fake and malware-infected websites, dangerous emails, phishing links, 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.        

Fake Phone Security Alerts

Scammers also falsely claim that there are security issues with your phone and prompt you to click on the attached link:

• SMARTPHONE SAFETY: (0) apps installed recently are compromising your device’s security. Delete these apps to safeguard your info. <URL> (detected by Trend Micro 2,259 times)
• CRUCIAL ALERT: We have tirelessly attempted to reach you regarding the results of your scan: <URL> Immediate focus is imperative. (detected by Trend Micro 1,913 times)
• IMMEDIATE ALERT: Persistent attempts have been made to inform you about your recent scan outcomes: <URL> Quick action is crucial for you. (detected by Trend Micro 1,496 times)

Again, if you click on one of the links, you will be taken to a phishing page that collects all your PII. Don’t let that happen!

Fake App Store Order Confirmation Texts

Did you place any orders on the App Store? If not, it’s normal that you would be shocked to receive an order renewal notification text. But hold on a second, is that text really from Apple?

Scammers instruct you to make a phone call if you don’t recognize the order. However, the number is NOT an official Apple number. If you call it, they may trick you into providing even more credentials such as financial details over the phone call. Don’t let them!

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.    
• Reach out to the company’s customer service directly for help and support.
• Never click on dubious links or attachments! Stick to official websites and apps.
• 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 Mobile Security. Its Web Threat Protection, Ransomware Protection, Anti-phishing, and Anti-spam Protection will help you combat scams and cyberattacks.  

If you’ve found this article an interesting and/or helpful read, please SHARE it with friends and family to help keep the online community secure and protected. Also, please consider leaving a comment or LIKE below.