Email scams have long been a method used by cybercriminals to dupe unsuspecting individuals. One such scam, which continues to circulate, involves fraudulent emails claiming to be from CVS, offering recipients an opportunity to share feedback in exchange for rewards. Here’s what you need to know.
How the Scam Works
The scam begins with an email that seems to be from CVS, a well-known pharmaceutical and retail company. At first glance, the email appears innocent and even helpful. The subject? An invitation for the recipient to share their feedback on the company’s services. The scam email promises that this survey will be short, taking only 2 minutes, and, to sweeten the deal, offers a whopping $90 promo reward upon completion.
Here’s a snippet from one such scam email:
Dear Client,
At CVS, we are constantly trying to improve our service and would like to hear your feedback on how we performed.
The survey is short and will only take 2 minutes to complete.
And Of Course there’s a $90 promo reward to you After Finishing
Take survey
We appreciate your partnership and collaboration.
However, clicking on the “Take survey” link doesn’t lead to an actual survey. Instead, victims are redirected to either:
- Survey Websites: These sites make money by getting users to fill out surveys or sign up for various offers, often requiring personal details or payment information. Users rarely, if ever, receive the promised reward.
- Malicious Websites: These sites might attempt to install malware on the user’s device, steal personal data, or commit various types of cyber fraud.
Protecting Yourself
Here are steps to help ensure you don’t fall victim to such scams:
- Be Skeptical: Even if an email seems to come from a reputable company, be wary of unsolicited communications that promise rewards or ask for personal information.
- Check the Email Address: Often, scammers will use an email address that looks similar to a legitimate company’s address but may have a slight variation.
- Hover Over Links: Before clicking on any link in an email, hover over it to see where it will take you. If the URL seems suspicious or unrelated to the company, don’t click.
- Look for Typos: Many scam emails contain spelling and grammar errors. Be vigilant and read the email thoroughly.
- Contact the Company Directly: If in doubt, contact the company directly using contact information from their official website (not from the email) to verify the authenticity of the email.
- Avoid Sharing Personal Information: Never share personal or financial information via email, especially if the request seems suspicious.
- Change Your Email Password: If you suspect you’ve received a phishing email or clicked on a malicious link, change your email password immediately and scan your device for malware.
Remember, it’s essential to remain vigilant and regularly educate ourselves on the different types of scams out there. By taking precautionary measures and being aware of the tactics used by cybercriminals, we can protect ourselves and our data from falling into the wrong hands.
