Tempted to click on that fishy message? Don’t do anything until you listen to this.
Fake Prime Day sites, emails and calls spreading
Amazon’s fall Prime Big Deal Days sale is next week on Oct. 8 and Oct. 9. Yes, I’ll be sharing all the best deals. But the most important thing I want you to know is that scammers are hard at work creating lookalike sites and emails to trick you while you’ve got your credit card out.
Gone are the days of crappy rip-offs. Today’s crooks create fake websites that look just like the ones they’re imitating. Don’t worry, I’ve got your back, and I’m here to help you spot the scams and shop safely.
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Over the last 30 days, Check Point Research has discovered more than 1,000 newly registered Amazon-related domains — and 88% of them are malicious or suspicious.
One out of every 54 of the new domains includes the phrase “Amazon Prime,” because they want your search to lead right to them.
- Examples: Domain names ending with .com, like “amazonprimemotels,” “amazonprimeresort” and “amazonprimeresorts.”
Many of these domains are “parked,” meaning they’re not in use — yet. Scammers like to get their ducks in a row and create sites that are ready to go live when it’s Prime (Day) time.
As for those sites that already have content up, most look and feel close enough to the real deal to catch the attention of unsuspecting shoppers browsing quickly. More than anything, scammers bank on you seeing the Amazon name and logo.
Calls and emails work, too
Check Point found more than 100 different Prime-focused scam email campaigns. Many impersonate Amazon Financial Services, asking you to update your payment details or other personal information.
They might look something like this:
CheckPoint.com
See this one-word subject line in your inbox? It's a phishing scam red flag
Email scams often contain elaborate details to entice you into clicking a link or opening an attachment. Usually, there is some heartfelt backstory to why you must open that document or a severe threat of what will happen if you don’t.
The big reason the spam in your inbox is about to get a lot more convincing
Phishing scams involve gaining a user’s trust by imitating a known company or service. A scam can target you with a phony email from your streaming service provider, for example. They’ll ask for your login credentials or payment for a bill that doesn’t exist.
Scammers taking advantage of vaccine hopes with fake COVID-19 studies
Everyone wants the COVID-19 pandemic to end and for our lives to get back to normal, but it’s going to take more than just a few lockdowns and social distancing. Right now, scientists across the world are racing to find effective vaccines and treatments — and many are just entering the testing phase.
How to spot 10 common election scams
The 2020 election is less than a month away. With millions of people voting, it’s a perfect opportunity for thieves to trick people and take their money.
How are crooks targeting victims? Phone and email scams are the most common tactics. But this year, they’re also leveraging social media to spread disinformation. Tap or click here to see why so many voters want social media shut down during the election.
Malware alert: Avoid this fake workers' compensation phishing attack
There’s quite a bit to worry about when it comes to safety on the web. Malware, phishing, hacking — these are all real threats to contend with when you’re opening web pages, downloading files, sharing documents or even checking your email.
Wildfire and hurricane relief scams spreading - how to spot them
Scammers target prey anywhere and any way they can. Phone scams? Check. Email scams? Check. Social media scams? Check.
If you keep up with the news, you know there are tons of scams you should be on the lookout for. Those ne’er do well scammers always find a way to make people part with their pocketbooks. Some have even sunk so low as to use the COVID-19 pandemic as a ploy.
Scam alert: Your Netflix account is under attack
Have you noticed unusual activity on any of your accounts? If so, don’t be surprised: Phishing is everywhere these days thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, and as the months go on, the problem only continues to skyrocket.
Email scams targeting businesses hit by COVID-19
Email scams are nothing new, but the COVID-19 pandemic has added considerable fuel to the fire that’s been burning in the underbelly of the internet for years.
From scams that attack your stimulus check to fake cures and protective gear, there are so many COVID-19-related scams circling that it can be hard to spot them all. Tap or click here to see the red flags to watch out for.
Coronavirus: A complete list of all the scams out to get you
The novel coronavirus and its disease, COVID-19, are now global phenomenons. The World Health Organization is stopping just short of calling it a pandemic, but the virus is present on almost every continent around the globe. Fear is palpable and people across the internet are scrambling for answers.