CostReviews.com is a fraudulent site that falsely claims to give the value of $750 Costco gift cards in exchange for taking online survey.
This article will explain the methods used to deceive you and provide advice on how to avoid being a victim and provide advice on what to do if you have shared your personal details.
Overview of the CostReviews.com Scam
CostReviews.com is the latest scam site that is running a shady fraud that promises falsely $5000 Costco Gift cards. The fraudulent website claims that customers get gift cards by completing online surveys. It is actually an entire fraud that is created to deceive consumers and snoop on personal data.
The scam is based on appealing ads on social media and emails that send users to CostReviews.com. The ads feature the Costco logo as well as intriguing headlines such as “Get a $750 Costco Gift Card – Limited Time Only!” which entice users to click.
When you arrive on the website you will be greeted by the Costco logo and brand across. The homepage says “Complete our surveys and earn a $750 Costco gift card!” At first glance it appears like an authentic Costco Rewards program.
For you to begin the form prompts you to input personal information such as your name email address, postal address, phone number, address for home birthday, and other details using the internet-based form. It is believed that this will allow you for the gift card promised to you when you have completed the survey.
In reality, it’s a deceitful tactic used to obtain your personal information. The data gathered is misused or transferred to cybercriminal networks that are that are involved in identity theft as well as cyber-scams.
When you submit your details after submitting it, you will be redirected to several suspicious websites which pay affiliate commissions to those who own CostReviews.com. The websites force visitors to join bogus subscriptions and download malware disguised as applications or enter contests that encrypt your personal information, and many more.
Every click, download or signup from these affiliate programs makes money for fraudsters. There is nothing you get for your efforts, despite false promises. There is no genuine opportunity to take part in surveys, never a gift card of $750 given out, and there is nothing to earn the rewards promised.
CostReviews.com is not associated to any of the Costco brand. It’s a fraudulent site designed to only exploit the victims and earn the commission paid to affiliate links. The claims of simple gifts are false.
This scam is especially deceiving and sly due to how convincingly it tries to impersonate the real Costco company. The design of the website, logos and the message makes it appear legitimate initially.
Victims are asked to provide sensitive personal data believing that they are providing the information to Costco. However, the information goes straight to cybercriminals involved with numerous illegal activities as well as black market sales of data.
Avoid any suspicious offers that relate to CostReviews.com and avoid advertisements that promise gifts for free. There are many affiliate marketing scams that are designed to either sell your information or lure you into unneeded purchases that fill the pockets of scammers.
Be very cautious when providing personal information to any untrustworthy website. Make sure you only provide your information to reputable trustworthy websites which clearly describe how your data will be utilized. As this scam illustrates, offers of quick and free prizes are often bogus.
How the CostReviews.com Scam Works
This is a step-by-step guide into how CostReviews.com scam is used to trick unwary individuals:
Here’s a step-bystep look into how CostReviews.com scam works to deceive unwary individuals:
Step 1: Scam Ads Promote CostReviews.com
The fraudsters behind this scheme make use of online advertisements and emails to direct visitors to the bogus CostReviews.com website.
These ads are brimming with eye-catching images that suggest that visitors could make the sum of $750 Costco gifts Cards. They could, for instance, display the Costco logo, with a message such as “Geta750 Gift Card – Limited Time Only!”
The persuasive ads target consumers and encourage them to click on CostReviews.com.
Step 2: CostReviews.com Claims You Can Earn a Gift Card
When you visit CostReviews.com The site is designed with the appearance and feel of a official Costco page. Costco’s Costco emblem is clearly displayed.
The headline reads “Get a $750 Costco Gift Card!” The page says you only have to take a few surveys to earn the gift card.
In order to start it will ask you to input your email address as well as your personal details using the online application. According to the website the form will allow you to get the gift card once you have completed having completed the questionnaire.
This gives the impression that CostReviews.com is owned by Costco to issue gift cards. However, it’s a complete rip-off.
Step 3: Form Collects Personal Information
When you fill out on the web, be sure to give your name email address, telephone number, address at home as well as your date of birth and many more.
The fraudsters behind CostReviews.com employ this method to collect personal data from their victims. Your information can be used to steal your identity or sold to fraudsters.
Step 4: You Are Redirected to Shady Websites
When you submit your data and submitting your information, the site will automatically redirect you to various fake websites.
These websites give fees to CostReviews.com owners whenever you sign up to receive offers or purchases or download malware, for example.
The most common landing pages are:
Websites offering free eBooks and PDFs that use your personal information to send you promotions.
Mobile apps download pages, which attempt to make you install malware or other unwanted software.
Websites for subscriptions to services that aren’t worth it such as text messages for horoscopes, IQ games, etc.
Online contests that gather your phone number and email address for sale to fraudsters.
Every time you click or download via these links, fraudsters make affiliate commissions. You do not receive anything of value.
Step 5: Scammers Profit, You Get Nothing
The goal of this CostReviews.com scam is to make affiliate payments by taking advantage of victims.
You will never be given Costco gifts or the chance to take part in surveys. The claims made by Costco are totally false.
At best, victims spend time submitting personal information and then are flooded with a myriad of junk offers. Worse, a lot suffer from identity theft or download malware on their devices.
In the meantime, the fraudsters behind CostReviews.com earn commissions from each conversion made through the affiliate link. Do not fall for the trap with this devious fraud.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the most frequently asked concerns about the false claims and methods employed by CostReviews.com:
What is CostReviews.com?
CostReviews.com is a bogus site that claims to give the value of $750 Costco gift cards in exchange for taking online survey. There is no connection with Costco.
What is the method by which the CostReviews.com fraud perform?
The site entices visitors by presenting ads that suggest they could make gift certificates. It asks you to input your personal information to sign up. You are then directed to scam websites which pay commissions to scammers whenever you purchase offers, download them or download.
Does CostReviews.com provide $500 Costco gift cards when you take part in surveys?
No. The claims that gift cards are offered to take surveys are fake. The cards never go out and there are not real survey opportunities.
What happens once you have submitted your personal data?
Your information could be being used in a fraudulent manner or sold to fraudsters. Then, you are redirected to numerous websites that give affiliate commissions to CostReviews.com owners once you sign up for special offers.
What kinds of websites could be the ones you are redirected to?
Shady provides free PDF downloads, which steal your information, mobile app installations that are malware-ridden and subscriptions to bogus web-based contests, services and many more.
Are the personal details you enter on CostReviews.com secured?
The data that is that is collected is either used for fraud or used to help scammers in identity theft or other cyber crimes. Never use real credentials on websites that look suspicious.
What do you need to do if you’ve submitted your personal information to CostReviews.com?
Inform your bank of any unauthorised charges, place an alert to detect fraud on your credit report, conduct antivirus scans, alter passwords for your accounts, and block any unwanted emails and immediately report the scam.
What can you do to avoid the CostReviews.com fraud?
Beware of clicking on ads that are related to your click avoid ad-related ads, do not take advantage of gifts for free Do not enter your personal information on websites that aren’t trustworthy Be cautious about giving out any personal information online.
The Bottom Line
CostReviews.com is a scam website offering a scam chance for you to win the sum of $750 Costco gift cards through completing surveys. In reality, it encrypts private information of the victims and then redirects them into scam offers that generate fraudulent affiliate commissions.
The gift cards never get presented. These claims are totally false and are designed only to deceive and entrap customers. Beware of ads sponsored by advertisers and untruthful deals linked to CostReviews.com.
Be cautious about giving your personal information to unknown websites, particularly ones that advertise gratuitous gift card or rewards. Some are fronts for scams to harvest data or affiliate marketing scams.
Make sure you protect your information online. Stick to trusted, secure sites to avoid being a victim of fraudulent scams such as this.