How to avoid falling for fake platforms like "$PLENA Token Claims"

What is "$PLENA Token Claims"?

In our examination of the website (checker.plena-finances[.]co), we discovered that it poses as the original site, plena.finance. The fake website is designed to trick individuals into taking action that can result in significant monetary losses. It is highly advisable to be careful when encountering such websites to avoid potential outcomes.

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.

"$PLENA Token Claims" scam website in detail

Plena (plena.finance) is a platform that gives users full control over their digital assets. It offers self-custody and a user-friendly experience similar to centralized apps. It uses technologies like Account Abstraction and AI to make managing cryptocurrencies seamless across multiple blockchain networks.

Plena also introduces automated purchasing and crypto portfolios, allowing users to gradually build their holdings and diversify their investments. However, scammers have created a fake website mimicking the real one, checker.plena-finances[.]co. On this site, they offer potential victims to benefit from a share of the revenue.

Scammers aim to lure unsuspecting users into "checking their wallet eligibility" and connecting their wallets on the fake platform. This action activates a cryptocurrency drainer, a malicious tool that steals cryptocurrency from the victims' wallets.

This drainer automatically transfers cryptocurrency holdings from the victim's wallet to the scammer's. Recovering stolen cryptocurrency is almost impossible because crypto transactions are irreversible. Once funds are sent to a scammer's wallet, they cannot be recovered unless the scammer returns them.

This highlights the importance of being cautious when connecting wallets, sharing personal information, or making transactions. Always verify that the platform you're using is legitimate before proceeding.

Threat Summary:

Name	Fake $PLENA Token Claims website
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	Participants can receive benefits
Disguise	Legitimate Plena platform (plena.finance)
Related Domain	checker.plena-finances[.]co
Detection Names (checker.plena-finances[.]co)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Symptoms	Unofficial domain, lack of official verification, unrealistic claims, too good-to-be-true promises.
Distribution methods	Compromised/hijacked websites, stolen or fake social media profiles, rogue online pop-up ads, 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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner 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 read more.

Similar scams in general

Scam websites using crypto drainers often mimic other, real platforms to trick users into connecting their wallets in exchange for free tokens, rewards, or other benefits. The goal is to steal funds from the wallets. It is essential to recognize fake platforms and take precautions to avoid falling for these scams.

Some examples of fake websites designed to drain wallets are "Mantle Rewards Station", "Coinbase Enhanced Security Measures", and "$PAW Token Exchange".

How did I open a scam website?

Scammers often spread scams involving crypto drainers through compromised WordPress sites or hacked social media accounts on platforms like X/Twitter, Facebook, and others. They also use dubious ad networks (often found on torrent sites, illegal streaming services, or adult content pages) to trick users into landing on scam websites.

Additionally, scammers can lure users into visiting scam sites through deceitful ads, pop-ups, suspicious links, deceptive emails, or ads from installed adware. In general, scammers use a variety of tactics to trick potential victims.

How to avoid visiting scam pages?

Avoid clicking on suspicious links in emails, pop-ups, or ads, especially from unfamiliar sources. Use reputable search engines and download applications (and files) from trustworthy sources, such as official websites or app stores. Regularly scan your computer for unwanted apps and other threats.

Do not allow questionable websites to send you notifications. Keep all apps and the operating system up to date, and use a reputable security tool. If your computer is already infected with unwanted apps, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

The appearance of "$PLENA Token Claims" scam (GIF):

Real website (plena.finance):

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:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner 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 read more.

Quick menu:

• What is Fake $PLENA Token Claims 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 a scam website?

A scam website is a deceptive page created to manipulate visitors into performing actions that benefit the scammers. These sites often use unrealistic promises and other persuasive strategies to trick users into engaging with them.

What is the purpose of a scam website?

These websites are primarily designed to steal money or personal information from victims. In some cases, scammers also use them to spread malicious software that can harm the victim's device or compromise their security.

Why do I encounter scam websites?

Scammers distribute their scams using compromised websites, fake social media profiles, and harmful ad networks, often found on torrent sites, illegal streaming platforms, and other dubious sources. Users can also land on these fraudulent sites via misleading links, pop-ups, ads, and deceptive emails.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from websites running scams?

Combo Cleaner can scan every website you visit, detecting and identifying malicious sites, including those that host scams. It will instantly alert you and block access to these dangerous sites to ensure your safety.

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