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This article is from Trend Micro.
This week we’ve found a large number of scams that you need to watch out for, including ones relating to Chase Bank, Walmart, T-Mobile, Home Depot, and Louis Vuitton. Would you have been able to spot all the scams?
Phishing is one of the most commonly used tactics by scammers. Conventionally, while impersonating famous brands, they send out fake text messages and emails containing phishing links and try to entice you into opening them with various lies.
In such phishing schemes, the links lead you to fake log-in pages that appear to belong to various brands. These pages require you to submit log-in credentials to download a software update, change account settings, or whatever other tasks the scammers have asked you to complete. Here are some examples:
Did you receive a text message from Chase Bank that says your account is blocked due to “suspicious sign-in attempts”? Don’t click on the link!
Source: Reddit
Scammers pose as Chase and send you such fake alerts, prompting you to click on the embedded links to verify your Chase account. Below are some other fake Chase text messages we’ve detected:
The phishing links will take you to a fake Chase log-in page. All the credentials you submit here will end up in the scammers’ hands — they can thus hack into your Chase account. Don’t let them!
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“Too much spam” Fake Antivirus Scam
Have you ever seen text messages that warn you that your phone is compromised or exposed to too much spam? Don’t panic. The message itself is a SCAM!
Sending fake spam alerts, scammers urge you to visit the attached link to secure your phone. If you do as instructed, you will be led to this fake Verizon website:
This page says that your phone has been receiving lots of spam texts and suggests you start cleaning your device now. Don’t fall for it! If you do, you will be directed to another scam website that sells antivirus software. Scammers can record the personal information and credit card details you submit and use them for their own good. Watch out!
Phishing links also often take you to online survey pages that state you can claim a gift by filling out an online questionnaire. After you complete the questionnaire, you are prompted to enter credit card details before your “gift” can be delivered:
We are familiar with Walmart survey scams — impersonating Walmart, scammers falsely claim that you’ve won a gift card and ask you to claim the gift using the attached phishing link:
The link will take you to a Walmart survey page that promises you a $500 gift card. (Yes, of course, it’s fake!)
Again, if you enter any personal information, the scammers will record it all! Don’t get scammed!
Are you a T-Mobile customer? If you get a text about a free upgrade, don’t make any quick decisions and don’t click on anything. It’s a scam!
The attached phishing link takes you to a fake T-Mobile survey page. This time scammers use the allure of a free iPhone 13 to try to hook you in:
As we’ve stressed several times before, you could eventually expose your credentials. Don’t fall for it!
We’ve seen Home Depot/email scams before, and this week a new tactic has appeared — scammers using advertisements of a Makita Power Drill to attract potential victims. Did you receive this one?
Scammers say you can win a $199 Makita Power Drill package by clicking the button they provide. You can take a guess as to what will happen: your personal data will be stolen!
Besides phishing attempts, we’ve also detected some online shopping scams this week. Here’s an example:
“Louis Vuitton Bags Up To 90% Off”? That’s too good to be true! Scammers send you links to fake Louis Vuitton websites via email. However, the links they use all lead to fake web addresses!
Below is a screenshot of a fake Louis Vuitton page. Please always take a close look at the web address. The official Louis Vuitton web address is us.louisvuitton.com!
As ever, if you’ve found this article an interesting and/or helpful read, please do SHARE it with friends and family to help keep the online community secure and protected.
