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TLDR
Fake listings on popular platforms (marketplaces, media sites, social media) impersonate well known security brands like Malwarebytes, McAfee, and Norton to funnel victims into tech support scams. The scammer relies on the platform's...
How it works
Fake listings on popular platforms (marketplaces, media sites, social media) impersonate well known security brands like Malwarebytes, McAfee, and Norton to funnel victims into tech support scams. The scammer relies on the platform's...
Red flags
- : A listing offers security software, technical support, or device repair at a suspiciously low price. An unexpected phone number appears in an ad, listing, image, or comment, especially in an unrelated category. The same phone number is reused across listings impersonating multiple different brands
What to do
- 1: Never call phone numbers found in ads or listings
- 2go directly to the official vendor website for support contacts. Refuse any request to install remote access software during an unsolicited support call. Report the suspicious listing to the platform and to the impersonated brand, then block the number
Source
malwarebytes
Source reviewed by Mythos Forensic Team
https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/scams/2026/08/fake-listings-can-turn-trusted-platforms-into-scam-springboardsFAQ
Is Fake listings on trusted platforms lure users into tech support scams a real scam pattern?
Yes. Treat the message, call, or payment request as suspicious until you verify it through an official channel.
What are the first warning signs?
: A listing offers security software, technical support, or device repair at a suspiciously low price. An unexpected phone number appears in an ad, listing, image, or comment, especially in an unrelated category. The same phone number is reused across listings impersonating multiple different brands
What should I do first?
: Never call phone numbers found in ads or listings; go directly to the official vendor website for support contacts. Refuse any request to install remote access software during an unsolicited support call. Report the suspicious listing to the platform and to the impersonated brand, then block the number
Can LegalAudit check my case?
Yes. Start a free chat and paste the message, link, sender, or payment details for triage.