“Hi, sorry to bother. Do you shop through Amazon?” It’s a scam email, and it keeps ending up in Content Queen Allie’s inbox. If you respond, some jerk will try to convince you they have Amazon gift cards they’ll trade for cash. Hit “spam” and move on.
How to spot Super Bowl betting scams
Crooks never sleep, and they’re incredibly aggressive during busy times of the year when the victim pool is deep. Tax season is here, and we already see an uptick in scams. Here’s how to spot one and avoid sending your hard-earned money to a criminal.
We’re just a few days from the Super Bowl, and guess what? The scams are running rampant. No matter which team you’re rooting for, you’ll want to be extra careful as gameday approaches.
Phishing, smishing
Phishing attacks are among the most common forms of cybercrime, involving fake messages masquerading as well-known brands and companies that people usually trust. Or they can simply send offers and promises too good to be true.
When scammers take to sending malicious text messages, you get cases of smishing. Smishing is an acronym for SMS phishing or short message services phishing.
In this case, scammers text potential victims with invitations to enter betting square pools supporting good causes. Cybersecurity firm Proofpoint tweeted screenshots of the scam showing prizes that include an iPad, iPhone or a $1,000 complimentary bet.
Proofpoint
The messages contain links (usually shortened URLs) to malicious websites, where the crooks will take further steps to steal your money, credentials and private information.
Proofpoint reports that football-themed attacks are up by over 20%, while suspicious messages referencing the Super Bowl are up by over 860%.
What you can do about it
There’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to enjoy the Big Game without worrying about getting scammed. Here are some tips to stay safe:
- Don’t click links or open attachments in unsolicited or suspicious emails or text messages. They could be scams leading to malicious websites.
- Watch out for red flags such as spelling and grammar errors.
- Use two-factor authentication for all online accounts that offer it.
- Create strong passwords and incorporate password managers for better security.
- Forward suspicious text messages to 7726 (SPAM).
- Always have a trusted antivirus program updated and running on all your devices. We recommend our sponsor, TotalAV. Right now, get an annual plan with TotalAV for only $19 at ProtectWithKim.com. That’s over 85% off the regular price!
Can you spot the giveaway in this scam email?
Sometimes, you get a well-designed scam email that you’re unsure if it’s a phony. Below, you will see a screenshot of a fraud email that nearly had us fooled.
Read on for details on a devious email making the rounds and ways to outwith these scams.
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.