Cash App, Walmart, iPhone 14, Apple, and Intuit — Top Scams and Phishing Schemes of the Week

This article is State Administration of Foreign Exchangefrom Trend Micro.

This week we’ve found a large number of scams that you need to watch out for, including ones relating to Cash App, Walmart, iPhone 14, Apple, and Intuit. Would you have been able to spot all the scams?

Phishing Scams

Impersonating famous brands, scammers send out fake emails and text messages containing phishing links and try to entice you into opening them with various lies. So where do scammers want to take you to?

These phishing links will often take you to online survey pages that state you can claim a gift by filling out an online questionnaire. Below are some common scams with examples.

Cash App

“Congratulations user, we are offering you the chance to receive a reward!” Scammers pose as Cash App and spread fake reward campaigns via email. Featuring $750 in Cash App cash as a prize, scammers lure you into completing their online survey:

As we’ve reported before, the embedded button will lead you to a fake Cash App online survey page. There you’ll be required to fill out your personal information — all of which will be sent directly to the scammers. What’s worse, you will never actually receive anything!

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Trend Micro Check is a browser extension and mobile app for detecting scams, phishing attacks, malware, and dangerous links — and it’s FREE!

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Check out this page for more information on Trend Micro Check.

iPhone 14 Raffle Scams

This week we’ve detected lots of fake raffle campaigns featuring the iPhone 14 Pro as a reward:

• You have been chosen to ANSWER & WIN a new iPhone 14 pro max.<URL>
   
  If you take the bait and click on the link, again, you will be taken to a fake online survey page:

After that, you will be asked to enter personal information, including credit card details (allegedly for the delivery of your “gift”).

Of course, there will be NO gift! Your credentials will end up in the scammers’ hands, and they will then use your information to commit cybercrimes: e.g., hack into your online accounts or steal your identity. Don’t let them!

Apple “Online Rewards Program” Scam

Besides iPhone 14 scams, we also observed a wave of fake Apple “Online Rewards Program” phishing pages that are spreading via text message:

• Item for +64273577432: Can you please confirm if this stuck deIivery belongs to you? <URL>
   
  The attached phishing link will take you to an online questionnaire page that says you can win an iPad Pro:

You could eventually expose your credentials, such as your home address or credit card information. Don’t get scammed!

Walmart “e-Wallet”

Watch out for these fake text messages that say you have money that is about to expire on your “Wal e-wallet”!

• Kenneth You have 2,846 on your WaI e-wallet due to be lost today. Select now between following products: {URL} +67572210362
• You have 2,445 on your Mart e-wallet that will be invalid in 18 hours. Select now between following products: {URL} Stop to end
   
  If you are curious and click on the link, as we’ve stressed many times, it will lead you to a fake Walmart rewards page (online survey page) where you could end up revealing all your credentials to scammers. Below are some examples. Be careful!

Phishing links will also often lead to fake login pages that will end up asking you for your personal information and/or login credentials. Here’s an example:

Fake QuickBooks Security Alert (Intuit)

QuickBooks is a finance tool hosted by Intuit, an American company that specializes in financial software. Posing as Intuit, scammers falsely claim that there are security issues with your QuickBooks account and prompt you to verify your identity via the link in the email:

Here are some red flags to watch out for: First of all, although the sender’s email address looks legitimate, it is NOT.

Plus, if you hover over the attached link that seems to be the official web address (www.intuit.com), you will realize that it will actually lead to another copycat website. Don’t click!

Fake Intuit login page:
kutt[.]it/intuitsep26th

Real Intuit login page:
accounts[.]intuit[.]com

Scammers can record any login credentials you submit on their fake site. They can thus take control of your account. Don’t let them!

How to Protect Yourself from 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 Check 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:

Did you successfully spot all the scams? 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. Also, please consider clicking the LIKE button below.

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