Experts from Scambook are warning users to be on the lookout for too-good-to-be true offers that advertise the new iPhone 5. They estimate that as many as 1 million fake devices might be sold in the upcoming period.
Just before the big launch, Scambook advised consumers to beware of schemes that may leverage the event in order to trick internauts into visiting malicious websites. The scams will most likely continue now that the
iPhone 5 is finally out.
However, the most dangerous plots are the ones that dupe people into paying for counterfeit devices. Now that everyone is eager to get their hands on the new gadget, fraudsters will launch all sorts of “get a free iPhone 5” campaigns.
The crooks are relying on the fact that the phone is somewhat expensive, but also on the fact that it’s often scarce, especially right after the launch.
So, how to make sure that you don’t end up with a counterfeit device, or even a package that contains anything else than an iPhone 5?
Firstly, be sure to buy the phone only from trusted sources: Apple Store and certified retailers. If you purchase one from sites such as eBay, make sure that the seller has a good reputation before placing the order.
“Test and keep and iPhone 5” scams have been doing the rounds for quite some time now and, most likely, we’ll keep seeing them on social media websites and in our inboxes.
It’s important to be cautious when clicking on links contained in such advertisement since in many cases they lead to virus-laden or phishing websites.
Another noteworthy thing is that some of these offers come via SMS messages. Remember that these scams can be just as dangerous, since they’re designed to sign up victims to all sorts of premium mobile services that can easily inflate your bill.
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