Do not trust websites claiming you can win a "$1000 Venmo Gift Card"
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
What is "$1000 Venmo Gift Card"?
"$1000 Venmo Gift Card" is a scam promoted on various deceptive websites. The scheme is presented as a gift raffle in appreciation of users' loyalty to Venmo, a mobile payment service owned by PayPal Holdings, Inc. In fact, the "$1000 Venmo Gift Card" giveaway is a blatant scam and is in no way associated with the legitimate Venmo service.
These types of schemes are typically used to gather victims' personal information (phishing) and/or trick them into paying bogus fees. Users rarely access these deceptive web pages intentionally - most enter them via mistyped URLs or are redirected to them by intrusive advertisements or by Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs).
This software does not need express user permission to be installed onto devices. Following successful infiltration, these apps cause redirects, run intrusive ad campaigns, hijack browsers and collect browsing-related information.
Once a site running the "$1000 Venmo Gift Card" scheme is accessed, it displays a pop-up window. The text presented in the window claims that, for their loyalty to Venmo, visitors have been granted the opportunity to win US$1000 (USD) for their Venmo account.
To enter the raffle, users are instructed to simply select a gift-box. They supposedly have three draw attempts. When the pop-up is closed, visitors are presented with a page containing multiple graphical renderings of gifts. Once a "lucky" present is selected, the website displays another pop-up window, which states that users have won a "$1000 Venmo Gift Card".
To claim it, they must click the button "presented below", which will redirect them to a different site listing further instructions. Additionally, the pop-up states that, in the web page (to which visitors are redirected), they must verify their details.
As mentioned, these kinds of scams collect private data and/or encourage users into making monetary transactions to receive the nonexistent prize. Information of interest includes (but is not limited to): names, surnames, addresses, telephone numbers, emails, banking account and/or credit card details.
This information may be obtained by the scammers asking directly for it and/or through dubious payment gateways, which record any data entered into them. Furthermore, scammers often target victims continuously. To summarize, trusting the "$1000 Venmo Gift Card" scam can result in financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft.
PUAs may seem legitimate and typically offer various "useful" functionality, which is rarely operational. This software is one of the main culprits begin rogue redirects to dubious web pages. PUAs can force-open sale-oriented/promotional, untrusted, deceptive/scam, compromised and malicious sites, however, these applications can have additional capabilities.
Adware-type apps run intrusive advertisement campaigns (i.e. deliver ads). The ads significantly diminish the browsing experience. When clicked, they can redirect to harmful websites and some can even stealthily download/install rogue software.
Another PUA type called browser hijackers modify browser settings and restrict/deny access to them to promote fake search engines. The promoted bogus search engines are seldom able to generate unique results, and so they redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other genuine sites.
Furthermore, most PUAs monitor users' browsing activity. Information of interest includes: URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, IP addresses, geolocations and other personally identifiable details. The collected data is then monetized by sharing with and/or selling to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
Therefore, to ensure device integrity and user safety, all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be eliminated without delay.
| Name | 00 Venmo Gift Card pop-up |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud. |
| Fake Claim | Scam claims users can win a Venmo gift-card equivalent to US$1000 (USD). |
| Disguise | Venmo |
| Related Domains | werewardus[.]com, promotionsonlineusa[.]com |
| Detection Names (werewardus[.]com) | CRDF (Malicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal). |
| Detection Names (promotionsonlineusa[.]com) | Kaspersky (Phishing), Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Spam), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal). |
| Serving IP Address (werewardus[.]com) | 91.224.58.24 |
| Serving IP Address (promotionsonlineusa[.]com) | 172.64.162.8 |
| Symptoms | Fake error messages, fake system warnings, pop-up errors, hoax computer scan. |
| Distribution methods | Compromised websites, rogue online pop-up ads, potentially unwanted applications. |
| Damage | Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft, possible malware infections. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
"You've made the 9.68-billionth search", "International Official Lottery", "Gift card giveaway" and "2020 Web Research Survey" are some examples of other online schemes similar to "$1000 Venmo Gift Card".
There is a wide variety of scams on the web. Common scam models are: fake prize giveaways/raffles, "amazing" offers/deals, warnings that the device is infected, alerts that an essential piece of software requires updates, and so on.
Regardless of what these scams claim, offer, request or demand, the purpose is identical: to generate profit to the scammers/cyber criminals behind them. Therefore, you are strongly advised to exercise caution when browsing.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Some PUAs have "official" promotional pages, which are often promoted by deceptive/scam sites. These applications are also distributed via the download/installation set-ups of other programs. This deceptive marketing technique of pre-packing normal software with unwanted or malicious additions is termed "bundling".
By rushing through download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, using "Quick/Express" settings, etc.), many users risk inadvertently allowing bundled content into their devices. Intrusive ads proliferate PUAs as well. When clicked, the ads can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
Software should be researched prior to download/installation and/or purchase. You are advised to only use official and verified download channels, since untrusted sources, including unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders, commonly offer deceptive and bundled content.
Download and installation processes must be approached with care. Read the terms, study all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and decline/opt-out of additional apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive advertisements may seem legitimate, however, they can redirect to dubious web pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so on).
If you encounter ads or redirects of this kind, inspect your devices and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Text presented in "$1000 Venmo Gift Card" scam initial pop-up:
Congratulations!
We would like to thank you for your loyalty, and therefore we offer you a unique opportunity to obtain a $1000 to your Venmo account!
All you have to do to get started is to choose the right gift box.
You have 3 attempts, good luck!
Get Started
$1000 Venmo Gift Card
Screenshot of "$1000 Venmo Gift Card" scam background page:
Text presented in this page:
Congratulations!
You have an unique opportunity to obtain a $1000 to your Venmo account. All you have to do is to choose the right gift box.
Find your $1000 Venmo Gift Card
Screenshot of the pop-up displayed after the "lucky gift" is selected:
Text presented in this pop-up:
Congratulations!
You can claim your $1000 Venmo Gift Card
***RULES***
1. You will be redirected to our website to know the details.
2. Verify your information to begin.
Claim Now
Offer expires in: 03:50
Screenshot of the website "$1000 Venmo Gift Card" scam redirects to once the "Claim Now" button is clicked:
The appearance of "$1000 Venmo Gift Card" pop-up scam (GIF):
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is "$1000 Venmo Gift Card"?
- STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Removal of potentially unwanted applications:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window, look for any suspicious/recently-installed applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove rogue extensions from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon 
(at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the $1000 venmo gift card pop-up, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the 00 venmo gift card pop-up, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions", in the opened window remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with $1000 venmo gift card pop-up removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon 
(at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the 00 venmo gift card pop-up, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
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Outstanding!
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