14 DAY TRIAL // Notifications apparently connected to Sony attempt to lure unsuspecting internauts into visiting a website where they can allegedly win iPhones, Android devices and other fabulous prizes. It might seem a bit confusing, but fraudsters are probably relying on this to ensure the success of their campaign.
It all starts with an email, which, according to experts from Spyware Sucks, reads something like this: You have been chosen to receive a free gift. Go to http:// www .sony.com.au.ircontest.info and enter code 1234 to claim it and tell us where to ship it.
While at first glance the promotion might appear to be somehow connected to Sony, the “sony.com.au” part of the URL is actually nothing more than a subdomain of the ircontest.info domain.
The site in question also doesn’t appear to have anything to do with Sony. Instead, visitors are greeted with a message that reads: iPhone vs Android, Vote and you could win it.
Once users choose between Android and iPhone, they’re presented another webpage where they’re asked to provide their phone numbers.
This is the part in which internauts can become victims of the scheme.
The fine print reveals that by providing the phone number, the customer is actually signing up not only for a sweepstakes, but also to a paid mobile service.
The first part of the disclaimer only mentions Samsung Galaxy S3 phones and iPhones, but the second part details a subscription service called TriviaClub.
“As a member of TriviaClub you get access to a range of great tips and trivia alerts, plus you can enter competitions and win prizes. There is a one off registration fee of 3 message(s) billed at $5.00. A membership subscription fee of $5.00 is billed 2 time(s) every 7 days. To cancel your membership at any time send STOP to 19720000,” the fine print reads.
These types of schemes are highly common these days, which is why we urge users to be careful when entering their phone numbers on untrusted websites.