This week we’ve seen various phishing attempts targeting your personal and financial data, including fake Walmart gift card giveaways hosted on toktest[.]org, bogus texts from Indiana Toll Road, and fake payment update texts from Netflix. Keep reading to learn how to recognize these scams and protect yourself.

Toktest[.]org Scam (Walmart Gift Card)

Take a survey to earn a $750 Walmart gift card? Take a moment to think twice before doing it. Offers like this can be a SCAM! We’ve reported on such fake gift card giveaway campaigns several times before, and recently this shadowy website, “Toktest[.]org”, is trending:

Scammers are spreading this scam URL via spam messages and scam ads on social media, falsely claiming you can win a $750 Walmart gift card by completing an online survey. If you take the bait and visit the website, there will be a “customer service agent” instructing you on how to proceed:

If you continue to engage with the scam, you will be taken to a Rewards Giant page where a series of survey questions begin — ultimately designed to collect your detailed personal information. You will never receive any rewards. Instead, scammers will commit identity theft and potentially sell or leak your data on the dark web. Watch out!

Note: The page seems to host various scam attempts and impersonate different trusted brands, such as Primark, Lululemon, ASDA, and so on. But the end goal is the same: to lure you into giving out your credentials. Don’t let them!

Indiana Toll Road Scam

Toll road scams have been particularly rampant this year. As we’ve reported before, from Pennsylvania to Oregon to Illinois, scammers keep expanding their tricks to various regions — and this time the target is Indiana:

Posing as Indiana Toll Road authorities, scammers send out fake text messages that say you have unpaid toll fees and ask you to pay for it using the attached link. Don’t click! It’s a phishing link and will take you to a fake payment page where, again, you could end up exposing all you financial information, including credit card numbers and CVC code. Be careful!

Scam texts:

• Welcome to the Indiana Toll Road Your vehicle has been recorded using the Indiana Toll Road. To avoid a bill with late fees of $35.00, please settle your balance by visiting the link below. <URL>
• Indiana TOLL ROAD This is a final reminder regarding the unpaid toll from your recent trip on the Indiana toll road. To avoid an additional fee of $35.00, Please settle your outstanding balance now by visiting the link below. <URL>

Note: Any web domain other than indianatollroad.org is NOT a legitimate one. Take a closer look!

Fake Netflix Payment Text

Received a text that prompts you to update payment information for Netflix? It’s a scam! We’ve seen various Netflix scams over the years and scammers never stop creating new ones to exploit people:

If you fall for the scam and click on the attached link, you will put your personal data at risk! It leads to a fake Netflix page that requires you to enter log-in credentials and payment details, which will end up in scammers’ hands.

Note: Remember, a genuine Netflix website’s domain should always be netflix.com. If you are not sure, go to the Netflix website or app directly instead of using links from unkown sources.

Security Tips: How to Avoid Scams

Remember these key points to protect yourself from phishing and smishing scams:

• Be skeptical: Treat unexpected texts and emails with suspicion, especially those requesting personal or financial details.
• Check the web addresses carefully: Search online and make sure the web address matches that of the trusted brand. Go to the website or app itself directly if possible.
• Avoid clicking on links: Don’t click on links unless you’re certain they come from a trusted source.
• Verify the source: If a text or email claims urgent action is needed, verify its authenticity by contacting the institution directly.
• Use Trend Micro Check: The newly updated Trend Micro Check can protect you from all kinds of scams. See below for more information.

Protect Yourself Against Scams with Trend Micro Check

With the sheer number of scams and scammers that are out there, staying one step ahead is more crucial than ever. Introducing the newly updated Trend Micro Check! Available for both Android and iOS, Trend Micro Check offers comprehensive protection from phishing and smishing scams, spam and scam text messages, deepfakes, and more:

• SMS Filter & Call Block: Say goodbye to unwanted spam and scam calls and messages. Minimize daily disruptions and reinforce your defenses against phishing.
• Scam Check: Instantly analyze emails, texts, URLs, screenshots, and phone numbers with our AI-powered scam detection technology. Stay secure and scam-free.
• Deepfake Scan: Detect deepfakes in real-time during video calls, alerting you if anyone is using AI face-swapping technology to alter their appearance.
• Web Guard: Surf the web safely, protected from malicious websites and annoying ads.

To download Trend Micro Check or to learn more, click the button below.

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