How to recognize fake "Pendle Ecosystem Rewards" websites

What is the fake "Pendle Ecosystem Rewards" website?

"Pendle Ecosystem Rewards" is a scam that impersonates the Pendle website (pendle.finance). The fake page runs a poll on rewards, and when users attempt to vote – they are deceived into exposing their digital wallets to a cryptocurrency drainer. It must be emphasized that this scam is in no way associated with the actual Pendle protocol.

IMPORTANT NOTE: We do not review crypto projects, please do your own research when investing money.

Federal Trade Comission (FTC) states that since the start of 2021, more than 46,000 people have reported losing over $1 billion in crypto to scams – that's about one out of every four dollars reported lost, more than any other payment method.

Fake "Pendle Ecosystem Rewards" website overview

We found this fake rewards poll on assets-pendlefi[.]com – however, it could also be hosted on different domains. The fraudulent page masquerades as the Pendle protocol (pendle.finance) that promises stability among volatile yields. It must be stressed that this scam is not associated with Pendle or any other existing projects, platforms, and entities.

When an attempt is made to vote on this poll, a pop-up is displayed that prompts the user to connect their digital wallet. Doing so signs a malicious contract that facilitates the cryptocurrency drainer. Basically, a mechanism is initiated that begins siphoning the victim's funds.

These transactions are automated and may appear vague, and because of the latter – they can remain unnoticed for a significant amount of time. Drainers may be able to roughly estimate the value of digital assets and determine which to target.

It must be mentioned that due to the nearly untraceable nature of cryptocurrency transactions – they cannot be reversed. Therefore, victims of scams like "Pendle Ecosystem Rewards" cannot retrieve the stolen assets.

Cryptocurrency drainer scam examples

We have written about numerous online scams; "$USD1 Token Airdrop", "Claim Arbus", and "Converge Rewards Program" are merely a few of our newest articles on drainers. Cryptocurrency-specific scams typically operate by using draining mechanisms to siphon funds from wallets, targeting wallet log-in credentials, or tricking users into manually transferring assets to scammer-owned wallets.

Due to how prevalent scams are on the Web and how well-made they can be – we highly recommend exercising caution when browsing and investing.

How did I open a scam website?

Crypto drainers are often endorsed via intrusive pop-up ads. They may be able to execute draining scripts themselves (i.e., operate as drainers). These advertisements may be encountered on legitimate websites that have been compromised.

Additionally, cryptocurrency-centered scams are widespread on social media platforms. Spam posts and direct/private messages (DMs/PMs) promoting this content can be made using accounts stolen from real projects, companies, entrepreneurs, celebrities, influencers, and so on.

Other endorsement techniques are possible. Generally, online scams are pushed through sites that use rogue advertising networks, different types of spam (e.g., emails, forum posts, browser notifications, SMSes, cold calls/ robocalls, etc.), typosquatting (misspelled URLs), and adware.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

We strongly recommend exercising caution to ensure your online safety. Be wary of websites, adverts, and messages that make unbelievable promises or warn of severe threats. Pay attention to URLs and type them carefully. Do not use sites that offer pirated content or other questionable services (e.g., Torrenting, illegal streaming/downloading, etc.), as these webpages usually employ rogue advertising networks.

Do not enable suspicious pages to deliver browser notifications; ignore or block notification requests from such websites. Be vigilant with incoming emails and other messages; do not open attachments or links found in dubious mail.

Download only from official/trustworthy sources and be attentive when installing (e.g., study terms and options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of additional apps, extensions, etc.) – to prevent bundled/dangerous software (like adware) from infiltrating the system.

If your computer is already infected, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate all threats.

Appearance of the fake "Pendle Ecosystem Rewards" website (GIF):

Screenshot of the official Pendle website (pendle.finance):

Instant automatic malware removal:

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Quick menu:

• What is "Pendle Ecosystem Rewards" crypto drainer?
• How to identify a pop-up scam?
• How do pop-up scams work?
• How to remove fake pop-ups?
• How to prevent fake pop-ups?
• What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?

How to identify a pop-up scam?

Pop-up windows with various fake messages are a common type of lures cybercriminals use. They collect sensitive personal data, trick Internet users into calling fake tech support numbers, subscribe to useless online services, invest in shady cryptocurrency schemes, etc.

While in the majority of cases these pop-ups don't infect users' devices with malware, they can cause direct monetary loss or could result in identity theft.

Cybercriminals strive to create their rogue pop-up windows to look trustworthy, however, scams typically have the following characteristics:

• Spelling mistakes and non-professional images - Closely inspect the information displayed in a pop-up. Spelling mistakes and unprofessional images could be a sign of a scam.
• Sense of urgency - Countdown timer with a couple of minutes on it, asking you to enter your personal information or subscribe to some online service.
• Statements that you won something - If you haven't participated in a lottery, online competition, etc., and you see a pop-up window stating that you won.
• Computer or mobile device scan - A pop-up window that scans your device and informs of detected issues - is undoubtedly a scam; webpages cannot perform such actions.
• Exclusivity - Pop-up windows stating that only you are given secret access to a financial scheme that can quickly make you rich.

Example of a pop-up scam:

How do pop-up scams work?

Cybercriminals and deceptive marketers usually use various advertising networks, search engine poisoning techniques, and shady websites to generate traffic to their pop-ups. Users land on their online lures after clicking on fake download buttons, using a torrent website, or simply clicking on an Internet search engine result.

Based on users' location and device information, they are presented with a scam pop-up. Lures presented in such pop-ups range from get-rich-quick schemes to fake virus scans.

How to remove fake pop-ups?

In most cases, pop-up scams do not infect users' devices with malware. If you encountered a scam pop-up, simply closing it should be enough. In some cases scam, pop-ups may be hard to close; in such cases - close your Internet browser and restart it.

In extremely rare cases, you might need to reset your Internet browser. For this, use our instructions explaining how to reset Internet browser settings.

How to prevent fake pop-ups?

To prevent seeing pop-up scams, you should visit only reputable websites. Torrent, Crack, free online movie streaming, YouTube video download, and other websites of similar reputation commonly redirect Internet users to pop-up scams.

To minimize the risk of encountering pop-up scams, you should keep your Internet browsers up-to-date and use reputable anti-malware application. For this purpose, we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.

What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?

This depends on the type of scam that you fell for. Most commonly, pop-up scams try to trick users into sending money, giving away personal information, or giving access to one's device.

• If you sent money to scammers: You should contact your financial institution and explain that you were scammed. If informed promptly, there's a chance to get your money back.
• If you gave away your personal information: You should change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication in all online services that you use. Visit Federal Trade Commission to report identity theft and get personalized recovery steps.
• If you let scammers connect to your device: You should scan your computer with reputable anti-malware (we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows) - cyber criminals could have planted trojans, keyloggers, and other malware, don't use your computer until removing possible threats.
• Help other Internet users: report Internet scams to Federal Trade Commission.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is an online scam?

Online scams are a type of deceptive Internet content that aims to push users into performing specific actions. For example, victims can be deceived into connecting cryptowallets to drainers, making monetary transactions, providing sensitive information, purchasing products, subscribing to services, downloading/installing programs, etc.

What is the purpose of online scams?

Online scams are intended to generate revenue for scammers. They primarily profit by acquiring funds through deception, promoting content (e.g., websites, products, services, etc.), selling/abusing vulnerable data, and spreading malware.

I have lost digital assets to the "Pendle Ecosystem Rewards" scam, can I get my money back?

No, cryptocurrency transactions cannot be reversed because they are practically untraceable. Hence, victims of scams like this fake "Pendle Ecosystem Rewards" webpage cannot recover their assets.

Why do I encounter online scams?

The most widespread promotional techniques include: intrusive advertisements (malvertising), websites utilizing rogue advertising networks, spam (e.g., social media/ forum posts, emails, DMs/PMs, calls, SMSes, etc.), mistyped URLs (typosquatting), and adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan visited websites for deceptive/malicious content. Therefore, should you happen upon a webpage hosting said content – you will be immediately warned, and further access to it will be restricted.