How to avoid getting scammed by fake "Coca Cola Survey" websites
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of scam is "Coca Cola Survey"?
While investigating suspicious sites, our researchers discovered this "Coca Cola Survey". It is a survey-type scam in which users are asked to complete a questionnaire for a reward from Coca-Cola.
It must be emphasized that this scheme is in no way associated with the actual Coca-Cola Company. This scam may trick victims into revealing sensitive information or sending money to scammers.
"Coca Cola Survey" scam overview
This scam is presented as a unique timed event held by Coca-Cola. The participant will receive a Coca-Cola cooler for completing a brief survey. The scheme claims four million USD worth of rewards have already been distributed.
The multi-choice questionnaire concerns the participant's personal Coca-Cola connotations, brand awareness, Coca-Cola product purchases, and similar. For providing this consumer data, the participant is rewarded with a Coca-Cola cooler. The supposed prize is described in detail on the page and will cost nothing, but shipping fees will apply.
It must be stressed that the information provided by this scam is false, and it is in no way associated with The Coca-Cola Company or any other legitimate products, services, and entities.
Since the scheme mentions shipping fees, it is possible that it will request victims to send money or to disclose their financial information (e.g., online bank account log-in credentials, credit/debit card numbers, etc.).
Targeting data is a hallmark of a phishing scam. However, aside from financial information, the scheme could seek personally identifiable details, such as names, ages, occupations, home and work addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, and so on.
In summary, victims of scams like "Coca Cola Survey" can experience severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.
If you have disclosed your log-in credentials – change the passwords of all possibly exposed accounts and inform their official support without delay. However, immediately contact relevant authorities if you have disclosed personally identifiable or finance-related information.
| Name | "Coca Cola Survey" pop-up |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
| Fake Claim | Reward for completing a survey |
| Disguise | The Coca-Cola Company |
| Related Domains | normaspartyplace[.]net |
| Detection Names (normaspartyplace[.]net) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (normaspartyplace[.]net) | 104.21.36.72 |
| 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. |
Similar scam examples
We have investigated countless online scams; "Valorant Skin Giveaway", "Win Mac Book M2", "Counter Strike Giveaway", and "Apple iPhone 14 Winner" are just some of our articles on ones offering various rewards.
Scams can differ greatly in appearance and how they operate, but their end goal is the same – to generate revenue at victims' expense.
Users' interest and trust are gained through various lures, such as false claims concerning prizes/giveaways/lotteries, package shipping mishaps, online account issues, system infections (tech support), software updates, outdated/renewed subscriptions, and so forth.
Due to how prevalent deceptive/malicious content is on the Web and how competently crafted it can be – we strongly recommend exercising caution when browsing.
How did I open a scam website?
Scam sites can be force-opened the moment a webpage that uses rogue advertising networks is accessed or redirected to when hosted content is interacted with (e.g., clicking buttons, text input fields, links, ads, etc.). Additionally, deceptive pages are promoted by spam browser notifications and intrusive ads.
Other types of spam, like emails, PMs/DMs, social media/ forum posts, etc. – are used for scam promotion as well. Typosquatting is also utilized to push online schemes; hence, misspelling a website's URL can land a user on such a webpage.
Having adware installed on the device can result in deceptive sites being force-opened at random; likewise, this software can display adverts that endorse them.
How to avoid visiting scam websites?
Caution is key to online safety. Therefore, be wary of advertisements and sites making promises that sound too good to be true. Take note of URLs and type them attentively. Do not use websites offering pirated programs/media or other dubious services (e.g., Torrenting, illegal streaming/downloading, etc.), as these webpages usually employ rogue advertising networks.
Do not allow suspicious pages to display browser notifications; instead, ignore or deny such requests (i.e., click "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.). Approach incoming emails and other messages with care; do not open attachments or links present in dubious mail.
Download from official/verified sources and treat installations cautiously (e.g., study terms and options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of additional apps, extensions, etc.) – to prevent bundled/harmful software (like adware) getting installed on devices.
If your computer is already infected, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate all threats.
Text presented in "Coca Cola Survey" pop-up:
Over $4,000,000 in Offers given out so far!
Survey About
Coca-Cola
October 17, 2024
Dear Coca-Cola Customer,
We would like to offer you a unique opportunity to receive a brand new Coca-Cola Cooler! To claim, simply take this short survey about your experience with Coca-Cola.
Attention! This survey offer expires today, October 17, 2024.
START SURVEY
The appearance of "Coca Cola Survey" pop-up scam (GIF):
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is "Coca Cola Survey" pop-up?
- 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 a pop-up scam?
Pop-up scams are a type of deceptive content designed to trick users into performing specific actions. For example, victims can be enticed into sending money to scammers, disclosing sensitive information, purchasing products, subscribing to services, downloading/installing software, calling fake helplines, etc.
What is the purpose of a pop-up scam?
The purpose of pop-up scams is to generate revenue for scammers. Profit can be made by obtaining funds through deception, endorsing content (e.g., sites, products, services, etc.), selling/abusing private information, and spreading malware.
I have provided my personal information when tricked by a scam, what should I do?
If you have disclosed your log-in credentials – change the passwords of all potentially exposed accounts and inform their official support without delay. And if you've provided other private data (e.g., passport photos/scans, ID card details, credit/debit card numbers, etc.) – immediately contact the appropriate authorities.
Why do I encounter fake pop-ups?
The most widespread endorsement techniques include: spam (e.g., emails, SMSes, PMs/DMs, social media/ forum posts, browser notifications, etc.), webpages using rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, mistyped URLs, and adware.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from pop-up scams?
Combo Cleaner can scan every website that you visit and detect rogue, deceptive, and malicious pages. Therefore, should you happen upon such a site – you will be immediately warned, and further access to it will be blocked.
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