How to avoid getting scammed by fake "Claim $PAWS" sites

What is the fake "Claim $PAWS" website?

Our researchers discovered this fake "Claim $PAWS" page (paws-claims.vercel[.]app; other domains are possible) while browsing suspicious websites. This phishing scam states that eligible users can claim $PAWS tokens, and the goal is to trick them into revealing their cryptowallet log-in credentials.

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 "Claim $PAWS" website overview

We found this scam on paws-claims.vercel[.]app, yet it could also be hosted on different domains. This fraudulent page is presented as the official PAWS project website (paws.community), stating that eligible users can claim tokens. PAWS is a Social Finance (SocialFi) project intended to generate rewards for social activity online; specifically, engagement on Telegram is rewarded with $PAWS tokens.

It must be emphasized that this airdrop is fake, and this scam is not associated with the actual PAWS project or any other existing platforms and entities.

When a user attempts to check their eligibility by connecting their wallet, a supposed connection error occurs. Hence, the victim is requested to link the wallet by providing its passphrase.

Entered log-in credentials are then recorded and sent to scammers, thereby enabling them to steal the exposed cryptowallet. This can result in irreparable financial loss, as cryptocurrency transactions cannot be reversed because of their practically untraceable nature. Therefore, victims of scams like this fake "Claim $PAWS" site cannot recover the stolen digital assets.

Similar scam examples

"Beercoin 2 ($BEER2) Airdrop", fake "Atomic Wallet" website, "Pepe Rewards", and "Jupiter (JUP) Rewards" are some of our latest articles on scams targeting wallet log-in credentials.

There are two other prevalent crypto scam modes of operation – using draining scripts to siphon funds from exposed wallets and tricking users into manually transferring assets to scammer-owned wallets.

While online scams are often poorly put together and riddled with mistakes, they can be competently made and even convincingly disguised as content associated with genuine entities. Therefore, we strongly advise caution when browsing and investing.

How did I open a scam website?

Online scams are most commonly endorsed via sites that use rogue advertising networks, spam (e.g., emails, social media/ forum posts, DMs/PMs, browser notifications, cold calls/ robocalls, SMSes, etc.), intrusive advertisements (malvertising), mistyped URLs (typosquatting), and adware.

Social media spam is widespread in crypto scam promotion. These posts and direct/private messages can be made using hacked accounts (i.e., ones originally belonging to real projects, companies, organizations, celebrities, influencers, etc.).

Intrusive pop-up ads are also common. Some of these pop-ups are fully functional drainers (i.e., capable of executing draining scripts). Ads of this kind have even been encountered on legitimate websites that had been compromised.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

Caution is paramount to online safety. Therefore, be wary of sites, ads, and messages that make unbelievable promises or alert of severe threats. Take note of URLs and type them carefully. Do not use websites offering pirated software/media or other dubious services (e.g., illegal streaming/downloading, Torrenting, etc.), as these webpages are usually monetized through rogue advertising networks.

Do not permit questionable pages to deliver browser notifications; instead, ignore or deny their requests (i.e., click "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.). Be vigilant with incoming emails and other messages; do not open attachments or links found in suspicious/irrelevant mail.

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

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 "Claim $PAWS" website (GIF):

Screenshot of the official PAWS website (paws.community):

Instant automatic malware removal:

Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT 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:

By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

Quick menu:

• What is "Claim $PAWS" scam website?
• 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 Internet content that aims to deceive users into performing certain actions. For example, victims can be enticed into disclosing sensitive data (like log-in credentials), connecting cryptowallets to drainers, making monetary transactions, purchasing products, downloading/installing programs, etc.

What is the purpose of online scams?

Online scams are designed to generate revenue at victims' expense. Cyber criminals primarily profit by abusing/selling private information, endorsing content (e.g., websites, products, services, etc.), acquiring funds through deception, and spreading malware.

I have provided my personal information when tricked by an online scam, what should I do?

If you have disclosed your log-in credentials – immediately change the passwords/passphrases of all possibly exposed accounts and inform their official support. However, if you have disclosed information of a different personal nature (e.g., ID card details, passport photos/scans, credit/debit card numbers, etc.) – contact the appropriate authorities without delay.

I have lost digital assets to the "Claim $PAWS" scam, can I get my money back?

No, cryptocurrency transactions cannot be reversed because they are practically untraceable.

Why do I encounter online scams?

Online scams are most commonly encountered via intrusive ads, sites using rogue advertising networks, spam (e.g., social media posts, DMs/PMs, browser notifications, emails, etc.), misspelled URLs, and adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan visited websites for deceptive/malicious content. It can also deny all further access to pages hosting said content.