Trend Micro</a>.</em></p>"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Text","_identifier":"block-81617","data":{"text":"<p>This week we&rsquo;ve found a large number of scams&nbsp;that you need to watch out for, including ones relating to Walmart, Costco, Home Depot, Lowe&rsquo;s, Louis Vuitton, and Ray-Ban. Would you have been able to spot all the scams?</p>\r\n<h2>Phishing Scams</h2>\r\n<p>To begin with, this week we found several phishing scams.Conventionally, while impersonating famous brands, scammers send out fake text messages and emails containing phishing links and try to entice you into opening them with various lies.</p>\r\n<p>In such phishing schemes, these links will take you&nbsp;to&nbsp;fake log-in pages&nbsp;that appear to belong to various brands. These pages require you to submit&nbsp;log-in credentials&nbsp;to download a software update, change account settings, or whatever other tasks the scammers have asked you to complete.</p>\r\n<h2>Zelle Support Scam</h2>\r\n<p>We&rsquo;ve reported on <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://news.trendmicro.com/2022/04/08/zelle-scams-bank-of-america-facebook-marketplace//">Zelle scams</a> several times before. Posing as Zelle, scammers falsely claim that your profile has been put on hold and prompt you to verify your account via the attached link:</p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><em>alertfrm: weiisfrg support msg: temporal hold has been put on your proflle legitimate verification needed below</em></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p>&nbsp;If you click on the link, it will take you to a fake Zelle page that&rsquo;s designed to steal your login credentials:</p>"}},{"_template":"Articles\\ImageFull","_identifier":"block-81630","data":{"image":"https://whitelabel-manager-production.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbs/zelle-1-960e0.png_900x.png"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Text","_identifier":"block-81632","data":{"text":"<p>Scammers&rsquo; ultimate goal is to steal your&nbsp;personal&nbsp;information. They&rsquo;ll record everything you enter on their fake pages and use it to commit cybercrimes: e.g., hack into your account or steal your identity.&nbsp;Don&rsquo;t let them!</p>\r\n<p><strong>Sample fake Zelle URLs:</strong></p>\r\n<p>help-zellesupport[.]me<br />uservrfy-zellep[.]info<br />bmoharris-verification-zelle-review[.]serveusers[.]com<br />&nbsp;<br />Note: Zelle&rsquo;s legitimate web address is&nbsp;zellepay.com. Always take a close look and stay alert!</p>\r\n<p>An easier way to surf the web safely: <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://api.link.trendmicro.com/events/landing-page?product_id=4cc29&amp;source=blog&amp;utm_content=zelle-venmo-text-walmart-costco-home-depot-lowes-ray-ban-scams-phishing\%22>Trend Micro Check</a></p>\r\n<p><br /><a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://api.link.trendmicro.com/events/landing-page?product_id=4cc29&amp;source=blog&amp;utm_content=zelle-venmo-text-walmart-costco-home-depot-lowes-ray-ban-scams-phishing\%22>Trend Micro Check</a> is a browser extension and mobile app for detecting scams, phishing attacks, malware, and dangerous links &mdash; and it&rsquo;s FREE!</p>"}},{"_template":"Articles\\ImageText","_identifier":"block-81645","data":{"image":"https://whitelabel-manager-production.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbs/trend-micro-1-b9136.png_900x.png","text":"http://<p>After you&rsquo;ve pinned the Trend Micro Check extension, it will block dangerous sites automatically! (Available on Safari, Google Chrome, and Microsoft Edge).</p>","reverseOrder":false}},{"_template":"Articles\\ImageText","_identifier":"block-81659","data":{"image":"https://whitelabel-manager-production.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbs/trend-micro-2-d0236.png_900x.png","text":"http://<p>You can also download the Trend Micro Check mobile app for 24/7 automatic scam and spam detection and filtering. (Available for Android and iOS).</p>","reverseOrder":false}},{"_template":"Articles\\Text","_identifier":"block-81673","data":{"text":"<p>Check out <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://news.trendmicro.com/2021/07/06/surf-the-web-safely-with-trend-micro-check//">this page</a> for more information on Trend Micro Check.</p>"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Button","_identifier":"block-81686","data":{"text":"Get Trend Micro CheckIt’s free","link":"https://api.link.trendmicro.com/events/landing-page?product_id=4cc29&source=blog&utm_content=zelle-venmo-text-walmart-costco-home-depot-lowes-ray-ban-scams-phishing"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Text","_identifier":"block-81700","data":{"text":"<h2>Venmo Security Alert Scam</h2>\r\n<p><a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://news.trendmicro.com/2021/06/24/scam-alert-fake-venmo-payment-notification-email//">Venmo is another brand that scammers commonly impersonate to try to trick you. This time around they&rsquo;ve been sending out fake security alerts, trying to convince people that there are security issues with their accounts, and urging them to visit the attached phishing links:</p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><em>venmo.c͏͏͏͏͏͏͏͏o͏͏͏͏͏͏͏͏m͏͏͏͏, w͏͏͏͏e͏͏͏͏ f͏͏͏͏o͏͏͏͏u͏͏͏͏n͏͏͏͏d͏͏͏͏ a͏͏͏͏ s͏͏͏͏u͏͏͏͏s͏͏͏͏p͏͏͏͏i͏͏͏͏c͏͏͏͏i͏͏͏͏o͏͏͏͏u͏͏͏͏s͏͏͏͏ t͏͏͏͏r͏͏͏͏a͏͏͏͏n͏͏͏͏s͏͏͏͏a͏͏͏͏c͏͏͏͏t͏͏͏͏i͏͏͏͏o͏͏͏͏n͏͏͏͏, f͏͏͏͏o͏͏͏͏r͏͏͏͏ s͏͏͏͏e͏͏͏͏c͏͏͏͏u͏͏͏͏r͏͏͏͏i͏͏͏͏t͏͏͏͏y͏͏͏͏ r͏͏͏͏e͏͏͏͏a͏͏͏͏s͏͏͏͏o͏͏͏͏n͏͏͏͏s͏͏͏͏ w͏͏͏͏e͏͏͏͏ h͏͏͏͏a͏͏͏͏v͏͏͏͏e͏͏͏͏ d͏͏͏͏e͏͏͏͏a͏͏͏͏c͏͏͏͏t͏͏͏͏i͏͏͏͏v͏͏͏͏a͏͏͏͏t͏͏͏͏e͏͏͏͏d͏͏͏͏ y͏͏͏͏o͏͏͏͏u͏͏͏͏r͏͏͏͏ a͏͏͏͏c͏͏͏͏c͏͏͏͏o͏͏͏͏u͏͏͏͏n͏͏͏͏t͏͏͏͏. p͏͏͏͏l͏͏͏͏e͏͏͏͏a͏͏͏͏s͏͏͏͏e͏͏͏͏ s͏͏͏͏e͏͏͏͏c͏͏͏͏u͏͏͏͏r͏͏͏͏e͏͏͏͏ a͏͏͏͏n͏͏͏͏d͏͏͏͏ v͏͏͏͏e͏͏͏͏r͏͏͏͏i͏͏͏͏f͏͏͏͏y͏͏͏͏ y͏͏͏͏o͏͏͏͏u͏͏͏͏r͏͏͏͏ a͏͏͏͏c͏͏͏͏c͏͏͏͏o͏͏͏͏u͏͏͏͏n͏͏͏͏t͏͏͏͏ i͏͏͏͏n͏͏͏͏f͏͏͏͏o͏͏͏͏r͏͏͏͏m͏͏͏͏a͏͏͏͏t͏͏͏͏i͏͏͏͏o͏͏͏͏n͏͏͏͏ i͏͏͏͏m͏͏͏͏m͏͏͏͏e͏͏͏͏d͏͏͏͏e͏͏͏͏a͏͏͏͏t͏͏͏͏e͏͏͏͏l͏͏͏͏y͏͏͏͏, c͏͏͏͏l͏͏͏͏i͏͏͏͏c͏͏͏͏k͏͏͏͏ a͏͏͏͏n͏͏͏͏d͏͏͏͏ f͏͏͏͏o͏͏͏͏l͏͏͏͏l͏͏͏͏o͏͏͏͏w͏͏͏͏ t͏͏͏͏h͏͏͏͏e͏͏͏͏ i͏͏͏͏n͏͏͏͏s͏͏͏͏t͏͏͏͏r͏͏͏͏u͏͏͏͏c͏͏͏͏t͏͏͏͏i͏͏͏͏o͏͏͏͏n͏͏͏͏s͏͏͏͏ f͏͏͏͏r͏͏͏͏o͏͏͏͏m͏͏͏͏ t͏͏͏͏h͏͏͏͏e͏͏͏͏ f͏͏͏͏o͏͏͏͏l͏͏͏͏l͏͏͏͏o͏͏͏͏w͏͏͏͏i͏͏͏͏n͏͏͏͏g͏͏͏͏ l͏͏͏͏i͏͏͏͏n͏͏͏͏k͏͏͏͏: {URL}</em><br />&nbsp;<br />Again, the links will lead to a fake Venmo login page. Don&rsquo;t submit any credentials here!</li>\r\n</ul>"}},{"_template":"Articles\\ImageFull","_identifier":"block-81713","data":{"image":"https://whitelabel-manager-production.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbs/zelle-2-5b4d0.png_900x.png"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Text","_identifier":"block-81715","data":{"text":"<p><strong>Sample fake&nbsp;Venmo&nbsp;URL:</strong></p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>venmo-security-info[.]lnk[.]to<br />&nbsp;<br />Note: the legitimate Venmo web address is&nbsp;venmo.com!</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p>Phishing links will also take you to <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://news.trendmicro.com/2021/09/24/youve-won-an-iphone-13-pro-6-hot-raffle-text-scams-bestbuy-walmart-t-mobile-costco-att-and-amazon-survey//">online survey pages</a> that state you can claim a gift by filling out an online questionnaire. After you complete the questionnaire, you are prompted to enter credit card details before your &ldquo;gift&rdquo; can be delivered. Below are some examples.</p>\r\n<h2>Walmart Gift Card Scam</h2>\r\n<p><a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://news.trendmicro.com/tag/walmart//">Walmart text message scams</a> are certainly not new to us &mdash; this week we&rsquo;ve detected a new wave of phishing attempts featuring a $5000 gift card as a prize:</p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><em>A $5000 Walmart card could go a long way for your shopping. See how you can score one at &lt;URL&gt; (DTJ &ndash; text STOP to unsub)</em><br />&nbsp;<br />The attached link will take you to a fake Walmart online survey page that says you can win a gift &nbsp;card after completing one of the questionnaires:</li>\r\n</ul>"}},{"_template":"Articles\\ImageFull","_identifier":"block-81728","data":{"image":"https://whitelabel-manager-production.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbs/zelle-3-1c6f3.png_900x.png"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Text","_identifier":"block-81730","data":{"text":"<p>In the end, you will be asked to enter credit card details &mdash; allegedly necessary for the delivery of your &ldquo;prize.&rdquo; Of course, there will be no gift card, and your credentials could end up in scammers&rsquo; hands!</p>"}},{"_template":"Articles\\ImageFull","_identifier":"block-81743","data":{"image":"https://whitelabel-manager-production.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbs/zelle-4-33037.png_900x.png"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Text","_identifier":"block-81745","data":{"text":"<h2>Costco Rewards Scam</h2>\r\n<p>Similar tactics also apply to the latest <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://news.trendmicro.com/2022/02/18/spot-the-scam-costco-iphone-13-amazon-kay-jewelers-linkedin-walmart-and-dyson//">Costco survey scams</a>. Promising you free coupons, scammers lure you into clicking on their phishing links that lead to fake Costco survey pages:</p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><em>Costco Rewards: Finish this poll within 4h hours and obtain a $10.00 coupon from us. U can view additional details here.&nbsp; &lt;URL&gt;</em><br />&nbsp;<br />Below is an example of a fake Costco survey page &mdash; you could end up exposing sensitive data!</li>\r\n</ul>"}},{"_template":"Articles\\ImageFull","_identifier":"block-81758","data":{"image":"https://whitelabel-manager-production.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbs/zelle-5-fb029.png_900x.png"}},{"_template":"Articles\\ImageFull","_identifier":"block-81760","data":{"image":"https://whitelabel-manager-production.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbs/zelle-6-f8b0b.png_900x.png"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Text","_identifier":"block-81762","data":{"text":"<h2>Online Survey Phishing Emails</h2>\r\n<p>Phishing scams also take place through emails. The tactics are basically the same: scammers try their best to get you to click on the embedded phishing links:</p>\r\n<h2>Home Depot / Lowe&rsquo;s &ldquo;Shopper Survey&rdquo; Scam</h2>\r\n<p>Recently we&rsquo;ve seen home improvement retailers being impersonated by scammers. Offering you rewards, scammers prompt you to take a scam online survey to try to steal your personal information.</p>"}},{"_template":"Articles\\ImageFull","_identifier":"block-81775","data":{"image":"https://whitelabel-manager-production.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbs/zelle-7-061be.png_900x.png"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Text","_identifier":"block-81777","data":{"text":"<h2>Fake Louis Vuitton / Ray-Ban Online Shops Spreading via Email</h2>\r\n<p>Although it&rsquo;s already been over a week since <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://news.trendmicro.com/2022/06/14/amazon-prime-day-scams-tips-for-avoiding//">Amazon Prime Day</a>, fake online shops are still circulating all over the Internet. As we mentioned last week, please beware of fake emails that promote <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://news.trendmicro.com/2022/07/15/louis-vuitton-ray-ban-cvs-amazon-walmart-walgreens-home-depot-netflix-scams-phishing//">scam Louis Vuitton / Ray-Ban websites.</a></p>"}},{"_template":"Articles\\ImageFull","_identifier":"block-81790","data":{"image":"https://whitelabel-manager-production.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbs/zelle-8-f2e08.png_900x.png"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Text","_identifier":"block-81792","data":{"text":"<p>You already know where these emails lead: to fake online shops!</p>"}},{"_template":"Articles\\ImageFull","_identifier":"block-81805","data":{"image":"https://whitelabel-manager-production.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbs/zelle-9-be794.png_900x.png"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Text","_identifier":"block-81807","data":{"text":"<p>Sample fake Louis Vuitton website</p>"}},{"_template":"Articles\\ImageFull","_identifier":"block-81820","data":{"image":"https://whitelabel-manager-production.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbs/zelle-10-892f5.png_900x.png"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Text","_identifier":"block-81822","data":{"text":"<p style=\"padding-left: 280px;\">Sample fake Ray-Ban website</p>\r\n<p><br />A sample URL of a fake Louis Vuitton online shop:</p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>90offbags[.]com</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p>Sample URLs of fake Ray-Ban online shops:</p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>90off-sunglasses[.]com</li>\r\n<li>90off-rb[.]com<br />&nbsp;<br />Note:&nbsp;ALWAYS&nbsp;pay close attention to the URLs of websites!</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h2>How to Protect Yourself</h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Double-check the sender&rsquo;s mobile number/email address.</li>\r\n<li>Free gifts and prizes are always a major red flag.</li>\r\n<li>Go to the official website/application instead of using links from unknown sources.</li>\r\n<li>Never click on links or attachments from unknown sources. Use <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://api.link.trendmicro.com/events/landing-page?product_id=4cc29&amp;source=blog&amp;utm_content=zelle-venmo-text-walmart-costco-home-depot-lowes-ray-ban-scams-phishing\%22>Trend Micro Check</a>to surf the web safely (it&rsquo;s free!).</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p><br /><em>Add an extra layer of protection to your devices with Trend Micro <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://api.link.trendmicro.com/events/landing-page?product_id=6c217&amp;source=blog&amp;platform=df&amp;utm_content=zelle-venmo-text-walmart-costco-home-depot-lowes-ray-ban-scams-phishing\%22>Maximum Security</a>. 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:</em></p>"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Button","_identifier":"block-81835","data":{"text":"Get Maximum Security","link":"https://api.link.trendmicro.com/events/landing-page?product_id=6c217&source=blog&utm_content=zelle-venmo-text-walmart-costco-home-depot-lowes-ray-ban-scams-phishing"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Button","_identifier":"block-81849","data":{"text":"Get Trend Micro Check It’s free","link":"https://api.link.trendmicro.com/events/landing-page?product_id=4cc29&source=blog&utm_content=zelle-venmo-text-walmart-costco-home-depot-lowes-ray-ban-scams-phishing"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Text","_identifier":"block-81863","data":{"text":"<p>As ever, if you&rsquo;ve found this article an interesting and/or helpful read, please do&nbsp;SHARE&nbsp;it with friends and family to help keep the online community secure and protected.</p>\r\n<p><em>Source: <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://www.pexels.com/photo/unrecognizable-person-in-a-black-hoodie-typing-6964348//">pexels.com

"}}],"sidebarBlocks":[{"_template":"Small//Content//Cta","_identifier":"block-157084","data":{"title":"Report a Scam!","consumer":null,"description":"Have you fallen for a hoax, bought a fake product? Report the site and warn others!","image":"https://files.scamadviser.com/thumbs/tell-your-story-8910e.png_200x200.png","button":"Report a Scam!","link":"https://www.scamadviser.com/leave-review"}},{"_template":"Small\\Content\\Taxonomy","_identifier":"block-157123","data":{"title":"Scam Categories","taxonomies":[{"id":7,"name":"Scam Alerts (896)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/scam-alerts"},{"id":6,"name":"Scam Trends (331)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/scam-trends"},{"id":8,"name":"Global Scam Country Guide (44)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/global-scam-country-guide"},{"id":3,"name":"News about Scamadviser (41)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/news-about-scamadviser"},{"id":5,"name":"Reliable Sites (37)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/reliable-sites"},{"id":2,"name":"Research & Reports (26)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/research-reports"},{"id":1,"name":"Tips & Support (24)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/tips-support"},{"id":88,"name":"Fact Check (19)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/fact-check"},{"id":87,"name":"Product Reviews (6)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/product-reviews"},{"id":4,"name":"Advice for Companies (2)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/advice-for-companies"}]}},{"_template":"Default\\Content\\Heading","_identifier":"block-59407","data":{"align":"","text":"Help & Info","size":"large"}},{"_template":"Default\\Content\\Articles","_identifier":"block-157795","data":{"articles":[{"_template":"Home\\Articles","_identifier":"block-157796","data":{"title":"Tips & Support","link":"","icon":"fa-lightbulb-o"}},{"_template":"Home\\Articles","_identifier":"block-157824","data":{"title":"Scam Alerts","link":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/scam-alerts","icon":"fa-exclamation-triangle"}},{"_template":"Home\\Articles","_identifier":"block-157839","data":{"title":"Learn about Scams","link":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/scam-trends","icon":"fa-tags"}},{"_template":"Home\\Articles","_identifier":"block-157854","data":{"title":"Reliable Sites","link":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/reliable-sites","icon":"fa-check-circle"}},{"_template":"Home\\Articles","_identifier":"block-157869","data":{"title":"Advice for Companies","link":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/advice-for-companies","icon":"fa-comment"}},{"_template":"Home\\Articles","_identifier":"block-157884","data":{"title":"Research & Reports","link":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/research-reports","icon":"fa-search"}},{"_template":"Home\\Articles","_identifier":"block-161131","data":{"title":"Global Scam Country Guide","link":"https://www.scamadviser.com/global-scam-country-guide","icon":"fa-globe"}}],"buttonText":"See all","buttonLink":"https://www.scamadviser.com/help-info"}},{"_template":"Default\\Content\\Heading","_identifier":"block-167997","data":{"align":"left","text":"Top Safety Picks","size":"large"}},{"_template":"Default\\Content\\Lists","_identifier":"block-167811","data":{"heading":"Your Go-To Tools for Online Safety","description":null,"listItems":[{"_template":"Default\\Items\\ListItem","_identifier":"block-167891","data":{"title":"ScamAdviser App - iOS","titleUrl":"https://apps.apple.com/us/app/scamadviser/id6480509109","linkTarget":"1","text":"Your personal scam detector, on the go! Check website safety, report scams, and get instant alerts. Available on iOS"}},{"_template":"Default\\Items\\ListItem","_identifier":"block-167944","data":{"title":"ScamAdviser App - Android","titleUrl":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tech.scamadviser","linkTarget":"1","text":"Your personal scam detector, on the go! Check website safety, report scams, and get instant alerts. Available on Android."}},{"_template":"Default\\Items\\ListItem","_identifier":"block-169734","data":{"title":"NordVPN","titleUrl":"http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101566658-13382109","linkTarget":"1","text":"NordVPN keeps your connection private and secure whether you are at home, traveling, or streaming from another country. It protects your data, blocks unwanted ads and trackers, and helps you access your paid subscriptions anywhere. Try it Today!"}}]}},{"_template":"Default\\Content\\Heading","_identifier":"block-59517","data":{"align":"left","text":"Popular Stories","size":"large"}},{"_template":"Default\\Content\\Blogs","_identifier":"block-59530","data":{"items":[{"id":13,"title":"How to Recognize a Scam Website","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/how-to-recognize-a-scam-website","excerpt":"As the influence of the internet rises, so does the prevalence of online scams. There are fraudsters making all kinds of claims to trap victims online - from fake investment opportunities to online stores - and the internet allows them to operate from any part of the world with anonymity. The ability to spot online scams is an important skill to have as the virtual world is increasingly becoming a part of every facet of our lives. The below tips will help you identify the signs which can indicate that a website could be a scam.\r\nCommon Sense: Too Good To Be True\r\nWhen looking for goods online, a great deal can be very enticing. A Gucci bag or a new iPhone for half the price? Who wouldn’t want to grab such a deal? Scammers know this too and try to take advantage of the fact.\r\nIf an online deal looks too good to be true, think twice and double-check things. The easiest way to do this is to simply check out the same product at competing websites (that you trust). If the difference in prices is huge, it might be better to double-check the rest of the website.\r\nCheck Out the Social Media Links\r\nSocial media is a core part of ecommerce businesses these days and consumers often expect online shops to have a social media presence. Scammers know this and often insert logos of social media sites on their websites. Scratching beneath the surface often reveals this fu","buttonText":"Read more","renderAsInertiaLink":false},{"id":4,"title":"How Do I Get Money Back From a Scammer?","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/how-do-i-get-money-back-from-a-scammer","excerpt":"Disclaimer: This article was originally published in 2018 and has been updated in October 2025 to reflect more current information, resources, and advice. Scams and recovery options continue to evolve, so always double-check with your bank, payment provider, or local consumer protection authority for the latest guidance.\r\nSo the worst has come to pass - you realise you parted with your money too fast, and the site you used was a scam - what now? Well first of all, don’t despair!!\r\nIf you think you have been scammed, the first port of call when having an issue is to simply ask for a refund. This is the first and easiest step to determine whether you are dealing with a genuine company or scammers. Sadly, getting your money back from a scammer is not as simple as just asking. \r\nIf you are indeed dealing with scammers, the procedure (and chance) of getting your money back varies depending on the payment method you used.\r\n\r\nPayPal\r\nDebit card/Credit card\r\nBank transfer\r\nWire transfer\r\nGoogle Pay\r\nBitcoin\r\n\r\nPayPal\r\nGood news: PayPal gives you strong protection. You can file a dispute within 180 days of your purchase.\r\nYou can get a refund if:\r\n\r\nYour order never arrives, and the seller cannot provide proof of delivery.\r\nThe scammer sends you something completely different (e.g., a controller instead of a PlayStation).\r\nThe product condition was misrepresented (sold as new but arrives used).\r\nThe item is missing undisclosed parts.\r\nThe item is counterfeit.\r\n\r\nStart your claim directly through Pay","buttonText":"Read more","renderAsInertiaLink":false}]}}],"meta":{"title":"Zelle, Venmo, Walmart, Costco, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Ray-Ban: Top Scams of the Week","description":"This week we’ve found a large number of scams that you need to watch out for, including ones relating to Walmart, Costco, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Louis Vuitton, and Ray-Ban. Would you have been able to spot all the 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