The Task Scam Targeting Reach Ecomm
In the digital world of 2024, where online scams run rampant, scammers have found new and increasingly deceptive ways to exploit unsuspecting individuals.
Among these, the Task scam has emerged as a significant threat, not only to our brand, Reach Ecomm Inc., but to countless other reputable companies.
Here's what you need to know to protect yourself.
Recently, we've discovered that fraudsters are misusing our brand by creating fake websites such as:
- www.reachecommall.com
- www.reachecomm-global.com
- www.reachecommglobal.com
- www.reachecommshop.com
- www.globalreachecomm.com
- www.reachecomm-ltd.com
These sites are designed to deceive people into completing seemingly legitimate tasks in exchange for rewards, usually involving payments through cryptocurrency or CashApp. Let’s dive into what a Task scam is, how you can spot it, and the steps you should take to report these scams.
Understanding the Task Scam
A Task scam is a type of online fraud where scammers pose as legitimate companies and lure victims into completing tasks with the promise of monetary rewards.
These tasks often include leaving fake product reviews, clicking on harmful links, or providing personal information. Victims are then asked to make payments through untraceable methods such as cryptocurrency or CashApp—funds that, once sent, are nearly impossible to recover.
These scams are alarmingly common and have targeted many brands, including Amazon, eBay, and Walmart. The scammers’ tactics are highly sophisticated, often creating fake websites that look nearly identical to the real ones. They might even use domain names with subtle variations that are easy to overlook, making it crucial to double-check any unfamiliar URLs.
Protecting Yourself from Scams
At ReachEcomm, our legitimate website is www.ReachEcomm.com. We want to be clear: we do not deal in cryptocurrency, do not arrange or leave fake product reviews, and do not use WhatsApp for communication. Our interactions are always professional, conducted face-to-face or via video calls, with 1:1 Canadian full-time employees who have verifiable LinkedIn profiles. (aka, Real People)
How to Spot a Scam
Scammers go to great lengths to appear legitimate, but there are warning signs to watch out for:
- Unusual Payment Requests: Scammers often request payments via cryptocurrency or CashApp. ReachEcomm never requests payments through these methods.
- Product Review Requests: If you’re asked to leave product reviews in exchange for rewards, it’s a scam. We do not engage in or endorse such practices.
- Communication via WhatsApp: We do not use WhatsApp for business communications. If someone claiming to be from ReachEcomm contacts you via WhatsApp, it’s fraudulent.
- Suspicious Domains: Always double-check the domain name. Scammers often create websites with slight variations of legitimate domains.
The Role of Cogent, Cloudflare, and Webnic.cc
To perpetrate these scams, fraudsters rely on various services:
- Cogent Communications: This company often provides the hosting services that scammers use to run their fraudulent sites. While Cogent offers the infrastructure, they also handle abuse reports. You can report suspicious sites hosted by Cogent using their abuse reporting form.
- Cloudflare: Acting as a passthrough, Cloudflare can mask the true IP address of fraudulent websites, making it harder to trace their origin. If you encounter a phishing site using Cloudflare’s services, you should report it immediately.
- Webnic.cc: This domain registrar is responsible for registering many of these fraudulent domains. Unfortunately, Webnic.cc has been known to allow fake WHOIS data, such as obviously false phone numbers, and has been slow to take down fraudulent domains even after being notified. We strongly advise against trusting any domain associated with Webnic.cc.
How to Report a Scam: Step-by-Step Guide
If you suspect that a website or communication is part of a scam, here’s how you can report it:
- Verify the Domain with ICANN WHOIS:
- Visit the ICANN WHOIS Lookup.
- Enter the domain name (e.g., reachecomm-global.com).
- Review the registration details. Look for red flags such as recent creation dates, hidden registrant information, or blatantly fake contact details.
- Report to Cloudflare:
- Visit Cloudflare’s Phishing Abuse Page.
- Provide the URL of the suspicious site.
- Include as much detail as possible, such as how you encountered the site and any communication you received from the scammers.
- Cloudflare will review the report and take appropriate action.
- Report to Cogent:
- Visit the Cogent Hosting Abuse Form.
- Fill in the form with the fraudulent domain name.
- Provide details about the scam, including any suspicious activities or communications.
- Cogent will investigate the report and may take down the fraudulent site.
- Report to Webnic.cc:
- Go to the Webnic.cc Domain Abuse Reporting Tool.
- Enter the domain name and describe the scam in detail.
- Webnic.cc is required by ICANN to act on abuse reports, though their track record suggests that they have been slow to respond.
- Submitting this report can help to add pressure for them to take action.
- Contact Your Local Cybercrime Unit:
- Reporting the scam to local authorities is crucial. Many countries have dedicated cybercrime units that can assist in investigations. You can find your local cybercrime unit by visiting INTERPOL’s Cybercrime Unit Page.
Our Commitment to Your Safety
At ReachEcomm, we are committed to protecting our customers and maintaining the integrity of our brand. We are actively working with authorities to track and shut down these fraudulent operations. Your safety is our priority, and we will continue to take every measure possible to ensure that you are protected.
We urge you to remain vigilant and take the necessary precautions when navigating online. Always verify the legitimacy of websites and communications, especially those requesting payments or personal information. For more resources and updates on our efforts to combat these scams, visit our official website at www.ReachEcomm.com.
If you’ve encountered a suspicious site or communication, please contact us immediately. Together, we can fight back against these scammers and protect others from falling victim to their deceitful tactics.
This has been a warning from ReachEcomm. Stay safe, stay informed, and let’s put an end to online fraud.