A Russian content creator recently posted a video review of an unreleased MacBook Pro model with the new M4 chip. This caused a lot of excitement in the media and tech communities. However, Kaspersky experts noticed increasing scams taking advantage of the hype. Fraudsters are offering fake pre-sales and product testing programs.
One scam uses email to trick people with a fake offer to test a new MacBook before it’s released in November. The email has a link that takes users to a website that appears legitimate but isn’t, where it offers a testing laptop for only USD13 in exchange for feedback to improve the device.
To apply for this offer, users must fill out a form with their name, address, phone number, and email to claim the offer. However, after providing their contact details, they are asked to enter their credit card information to buy the MacBook at the special testing price.
If users have gone through the process, they will end up losing money and unknowingly sending out personal details to fraudsters, who may start making unauthorized withdrawals from the victim’s account. The stolen information may also be sold on Darknet forums, increasing the victim’s risk of identity theft and other privacy violations.
“The recently released video featuring an unreleased laptop has created false expectations, leading people to believe that if an influencer managed to get their hands on the device, it might be available for regular users too. Scammers are quick to capitalize on trends, using these moments to push even more convincing scams.
“Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Always verify information through official websites and steer clear of third-party sources when making purchases,” commented Dmitry Galov, Head of Research Center, Russia, at Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT).
To avoid falling victim to scams like these, Kaspersky experts recommend:
- Stick to official channels: Only purchase or pre-order Apple devices through official retailers’ websites or trusted partners. Avoid clicking on links from unfamiliar websites or promotional emails, no matter how attractive the deal.
- Double-check URLs and email addresses: Scammers often create fake websites that look nearly identical to legitimate ones. Always verify that the URL starts with “https://” and matches the official Apple domain. Similarly, be cautious of emails from unofficial-looking addresses.
- Don’t share personal information: Be wary of any website or email asking for sensitive information like your credit card details, personal identification numbers, or Apple ID password. Apple will never ask for this kind of information via unsolicited emails or links.
- Use a trusted security Solution: An automated security solution, like Kaspersky Premium, will protect you from all known and unknown scams.
For more information about the cybersecurity company, visit https://www.kaspersky.com/.
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