- Grand Theft Auto 6 Pre-orders are available now, with millions of fans flocking to get copies of the game
- Researchers warn this craze presents an opportunity for fraudsters
- Possible scams include scam early access sites and fake retailers.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Pre-orders are available now, giving millions of eager fans the chance to secure copies of what is already undoubtedly the most anticipated game of all time. It’s an exciting time for gamers, but the pre-order frenzy also presents a huge opportunity for scammers.
We’ve already seen the rise of fake early access websites designed to steal your card details, but Norton researchers say this could be part of a wider, more alarming trend.
Iskander Sánchez-Rola
Iskander Sanchez-Rola, senior director of AI and innovation at Gen Digital, Norton’s parent company, warns that while every big game launch attracts scammers “GTA6 is on a completely different scale. »
“Millions of people are looking for the latest trailer, trying to pre-order, or hoping they’ve found a way to get the game a little cheaper,” he explains.
“That’s exactly what they’re taking advantage of. Scammers don’t need to break into Rockstar or hack the game. They just need to be somewhere between excitement and purchase.”
He says Gen’s team has already uncovered a number of scams buyers could fall victim to. These include fake pre-order sites offering attractive deals on the game, but Sanchez-Rola warns that it’s not just buyers of the physical edition who are being targeted.
“There are also fake gift card offers,” he explains. “Many people will look for the cheapest way to buy GTA6, and the scammers know it. »
The threat even extends beyond the search engine results page, to Discord, a messaging service extremely popular with gamers, and other social media platforms.
“We found Dark Web services advertising mass Discord messages and tools that help criminals target gaming communities,” he reveals.
“Instead of hoping someone finds a fake website, they can present this fake offer directly to people who are already talking about it.”
Fraudulent links will often take you to a fake login page, harvesting your credentials so criminals can access your PlayStation or Xbox accounts.
Fortunately, Sanchez-Rola offers some sound advice to keep shoppers safe: “The most important thing is not to rush.”
“If someone suggests GTA6 for a lot cheaper than everyone else, or if they’re selling deeply discounted gift cards, take a minute to check if that actually makes sense,” he continues. “The few minutes you spend checking a website are nothing compared to the time it can take to recover a compromised account.
“I would also be careful about links shared via Discord or social media. Players naturally trust recommendations from other players, and scammers know this.
“Finally, enable multi-factor authentication for your game accounts. Most people think they’re protecting just one game, but what they’re really protecting is years of purchases.”
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