Spot the Scam: Black Friday, Ray-Ban, USPS, Google Drive, Thanksgiving, Employzilla, and MORE!
Author: Trend Micro
This article is from Trend Micro.
Get Ray-Bans for 85% off? Win a free iPhone 13? Watch out for the latest phishing scams!
Black Friday Scams
1. Ray-Ban Black Friday Sales
Fake Ray-Ban Black Friday sales circulated heavily via email last week, but this week they’ve been truly running rampant. We’ve observed 3 times more spam Ray-Ban emails. Here are some examples:
The spam emails include links that lead you to a fake Ray-Ban website.
2. iPhone 13 Survey Phishing
Phishing is when scammers pose as big recognizable companies and try their best to lure you into clicking on phishing links in text messages and emails.
The scammers’ ultimate goal is to steal your personal information. The phishing links often lead to fake online survey pages that state you can claim a gift by completing an online questionnaire. For example, as we’ve reported various times, scammers claim that they are giving away free iPhone 13s to celebrate Black Friday:
- Your, BIack Friday iPhone13 is Here. THlS WEEKEND 0NLY! <URL>
Scammers can record all the credentials you enter on these pages and use them to commit cybercrimes. For example, they could hack into your account and withdraw your money, or even use your personal information to commit identity theft. Don’t let them!
3. Black Friday Scam Online Shops
#1 — topgadgetsdaily[.]com
Not sure what to buy your loved ones this Christmas? When searching for the best deals online, you might come across this lifestyle blog that hosts fake news and directs you to other questionable online shops.
#2 — adidas[.]co[.]ma
This fake Adidas website looks legitimate, but its web address is NOT the real one. (The genuine Adidas website URL is www.adidas[.]com/).
#3 — blackfridaygame[.]life
Scammers have also been targeting gamers this shopping season. This games console-selling website features extremely cheap Nintendo Switches, PS5s, and XBOXs for sale, but it’s a SCAM!
For more tips on avoiding Black Friday scam websites, please check out this article.
Thanksgiving Giveaway Scams
Scammers have been falsely claiming they are holding Thanksgiving AirPods giveaways and asking people to click on phishing links that lead to fake online survey pages:
- Your celI carrier’s saying, Happy Thanksgiving, with $3OO for you! Must be accepted by 11/11 <URL>
You will eventually be asked to enter credit card details to get your gift, but all your information will just end up in the scammers’ hands.
USPS Survey Phishing
“Take a survey and get an exclusive reward!” We’ve seen various USPS scams, and now the latest version comes in the form of phishing emails saying that you can get an exclusive reward after taking an online survey. Now you know what will happen: you will have all your personal information exposed!
Fake Google Drive Security Alerts
On top of irresistible deals and tempting giveaways, scammers have also been sending fake Google Drive security alerts to try to trick people into clicking on phishing links.
In this case, scammers impersonate Google and claim that there are security issues with your Google Drive account. Or, they pretend to be sending you a file upload status update:
No matter what, if you click on the embedded button, you will be taken to a phishing website and potentially end up exposing your personal information.
Employzilla[.]com Online Job Phishing
Be careful when searching for job opportunities online! Recently, the fake recruitment website employzilla[.]com has been hosting online surveys guaranteeing cash:
After you click on the “Apply Now” button, you will be taken to an online survey page which in fact, is a phishing website. Again, in the end, you will have to enter personal information, and the scammers can access it!
Fake Bank of America Security Alerts
Getting a notification stating that someone has been trying to withdraw money from your bank account is quite terrifying, right? Well, scammers have been impersonating clerks from the Bank of America and sending people security alerts, prompting them to get in contact to resolve the issue. Don’t fall for it! They will commit further cybercrimes or ask you to provide detailed personal information for their own good.
How to Protect Yourself
- Double-check the sender’s mobile number/email address.
- Free gifts or prizes are always a major red flag.
- Reach out to an organization’s customer service directly for help and support.
- NEVER click links or attachments from unknown sources. Use Trend Micro Check to detect scams with ease!
1. After you’ve pinned the Trend Micro Check browser extension, it will block dangerous sites for you automatically:
2. Send links or screenshots of suspicious text messages to Trend Micro Check on WhatsApp for immediate scam detection.
Don’t forget to add an extra layer of protection to your device with Trend Micro Maximum Security! It includes Web Threat Protection, Ransomware Protection, Anti-phishing, and Anti-spam Protection to help you combat scams and cyberattacks. Click the button below to give it a try:
Did you successfully spot the scams? Remember, always CHECK before giving out personal information. If you found this article helpful or interesting, please SHARE it to help protect your friends and family!
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