Ignore this Facebook scam trying to get you to buy a 'cheap phone'
When an offer seems too good to be true, it most likely is. A Facebook scam making the rounds is capitalizing on people looking for a cheap phone upgrade. We’re not talking about generic burner phones, either.
Read on for details and to learn how to protect yourself.
Don’t fall for this viral Facebook scam
This scam starts deceptively. Sellers use the Amazon label to make deals seem legitimate to unsuspecting victims.
These promotions claim you will receive “a special offer” from Amazon, often hawking name-brand devices for less than $10. This scam implies that these extremely affordable phones are old stock that needs to be cleared out, or they’re being sold for charity.
Don’t fall for it. It’s a scam!
You’ll be whisked away to a spoofed Amazon page if you move forward with the fake promotion. You might know something’s wrong when you see a giant timer pressuring you to make the final call. You’ll even see fake reviews and Facebook comments from bogus accounts.
Samsung S23s and iPhone 14 models are supposedly among the smartphones for sale, but we also recommend being wary of ads promoting other models.
Amazon has spoken publicly about reports of this scam, confirming that these “deals” aren’t affiliated with the company or platform.
If you come across these ads, you may see a hastily-made video of a product unpackaging with an AI-generated voice giving more false details compelling you to buy. The unbelievable prices are a dead giveaway to the fact that they are scams.
How to avoid falling victim
Scams like these are elaborate phishing schemes. Thieves are looking to steal your money and sometimes credentials. Here are common-sense ways to avoid falling victim to phishing scams.
Looking for free COVID tests? Don't do this
Life is almost back to normal after a rough couple of years dealing with a global pandemic. At-home COVID tests became a must-have item to navigate the crisis. While there are legit ways to get these tests for free, scammers are now cashing in with elaborate phishing schemes. Things are so bad that the Better Business Bureau is sounding the alarm.
4 online shopping gotchas you need to know about to protect your wallet
This year has been a lucrative one for scammers. As of late September, more than 200,000 complaints of scams and fraud had been filed, and more than $145 million had been lost by Americans in COVID-19 scams. That’s a ton of money.
Phishing alert: See a tricky password-stealing scam in action
Phishing campaigns are among the most dangerous cyber threats we face today. This isn’t because they’re particularly clever or hard to stop, but because of how quick they are to change and adapt to our defenses.
Just when we think we’ve figured out an attack pattern from the scammers behind these campaigns, they change up tactics and deploy better graphics, malicious attachments and more sophisticated messages. Tap or click here to see if you can pass this phishing practice test.
Two clever phishing scams that could be hiding in your inbox
It’s becoming increasingly difficult to avoid scams online. During the month of April alone, phishing scams rose more than 30%. Meanwhile, hundreds of new phishing domains continue to be registered every day.
Why? Well, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, people are spending more time online than ever. That leaves a perfect opportunity for hackers to take advantage of people and attack their personal data and finances. Tap or click here to see just how creative these scammers are getting.
Email scam spreading now: Don't fall for this money-stealing trick
Have you gotten a weird email or phone call from the IRS asking for money or personal information? How about a text from the World Health Organization about COVID-19 testing in your area?
Despite how convincing these messages may appear, there’s a good chance they’re nothing more than scams looking to bilk you of money and data.
FBI warning: Avoid these Microsoft and Google scams
Google and Microsoft are taking bold stances in the face of the coronavirus outbreak. Rather than upcharge customers forced to work from home, they’re actually offering their premium business services for free. This makes it easier for employees to operate remotely across the country.
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.
Hackers prey on coronavirus fears to infect your computer
The spread of the novel coronavirus out of China has shocked the world and led to a rise in travel restrictions, quarantines and paranoia. With cases emerging across the globe, people are rightfully scared about how bad the outbreak could become over the course of the year.
How hackers, scammers and companies know when you open an email and use it against you
It’s hard to believe that a single pixel could ruin your life. After all, a pixel measures about 0.0104-inches. If you took a mechanical pencil and drew the smallest mark you could, this dot would be much larger than a typical pixel.
Don't fall for this scam site that promises to pay you back for data breaches
So many data breaches have happened in the past 12 months that it’s hard to keep track of them all. Each one had unique effects on their respective industries, and naturally, consumers are the ones paying the price for negligence and poor cybersecurity.
8 things to do now in case Iran attacks the US
Think about how much of your life is spent online. From the moment you wake in the morning to the time you finally go to sleep, you’re constantly checking emails, messaging friends and family, checking bank accounts and so much more — and all of that can be done with your smartphone.