iPad 3 suspense begets online scams

With one week to go before Apple Inc.’s anticipated announcement about its iPad tablet, cyber-scammers are busy again, trying to fool netizens into thinking they can win the newest iPad.

 

Computer security firm Sophos said the scam surfaced after Apple reportedly sent invitations to media for an Apple event on March 7.

 

“Of course, one group that isn’t bothering to wait are the spammers and scammers who frequently tempt the unwary into clicking on their links, or completing their revenue-generating surveys, by offering the latest Apple gear.. for free,” Sophos said in a blog post.

 

Sophos pointed out the iPad 3 does not exist yet – at least not at this time.

 

It also reminded netizens of similar scams last year about a so-called iPhone 5. Apple eventually dubbed the new device the iPhone 4S.

 

“And even though the iPad 3 doesn’t exist yet (and who can forget the iPhone 5 scams that all looked a bit silly once Apple actually announced the iPhone 4S instead?) we are seeing plenty of examples of Facebook pages and tweets that appear to be attempting to trick users into thinking they can get one for free,” it said.

 

“It would be great to see social networks like Facebook and Twitter do more to clean up such clearly dubious activity, to better protect their userbase,” it added.

 

For now, Sophos advised the public not to get duped into believing there is an easy way to get the latest iPad for free.

 

“Chances are that we will see Apple announce an iPad 3 very soon. But don’t be duped into believing there’s an easy way to get one for free,” it said. — TJD, GMA News