If you are a fan of Coca-Cola, you might be tempted to take part in a customer satisfaction survey that promises you a reward of $200 or more. However, you should be careful not to fall for a phishing scam that impersonates Coca-Cola and tries to steal your personal information.
What is the Coca-Cola Customer Satisfaction Survey scam?
The Coca-Cola Customer Satisfaction Survey scam is a type of phishing scam that uses fake emails or ads to lure victims into clicking on a link that leads to a malicious website. The website looks like a legitimate survey page from Coca-Cola, but it is actually designed to collect your personal and financial data.
The scam usually starts with an email or an ad that claims that Coca-Cola is conducting a survey to improve its products and services, and that you have been selected to participate. The email or the ad also promises you a reward of $200 or more if you complete the survey.
The link in the email or the ad takes you to a website that looks like the official Coca-Cola survey page, but it is actually a phishing site. The site asks you to fill in your name, email address, phone number, and other personal details. It may also ask you to enter your credit card information or other financial details to claim your reward.
However, if you provide any information on the site, you will not receive any reward. Instead, you will expose yourself to identity theft, fraud, and other cybercrimes. The scammers behind the scam can use your information to access your online accounts, make unauthorized purchases, or sell your data to other criminals.
How to avoid the Coca-Cola Customer Satisfaction Survey scam?
The Coca-Cola Customer Satisfaction Survey scam is one of many phishing scams that target consumers by impersonating well-known brands. To avoid falling for such scams, you should follow these tips:
- Be skeptical of any emails or ads that offer you rewards or prizes for taking surveys. Most legitimate surveys do not require you to pay anything or provide sensitive information to participate.
- Check the sender’s email address and the URL of the website before clicking on any links. If the email address or the URL does not match the official domain of Coca-Cola (such as coca-cola.com), it is likely a scam.
- Look for spelling and grammar errors in the email or the website. Phishing scams often contain typos and mistakes that indicate they are not from a professional source.
- Contact Coca-Cola directly if you are unsure about the legitimacy of an email or a website. You can visit their official website (https://www.coca-cola.com) or call their customer service number (1-800-438-2653) to verify any offers or surveys.
- Use a security software or a browser extension that can detect and block phishing sites and malicious links. For example, Trend Micro Check is a free tool that can help you identify and avoid online scams.
What to do if you have fallen for the Coca-Cola Customer Satisfaction Survey scam?
If you have already clicked on a link or provided any information on a phishing site related to the Coca-Cola Customer Satisfaction Survey scam, you should take these steps:
- Change your passwords for your online accounts, especially those that use the same email address or phone number that you entered on the phishing site.
- Monitor your bank statements and credit reports for any suspicious transactions or activities. If you notice any unauthorized charges or accounts, report them to your bank or credit bureau immediately.
- Contact Coca-Cola and inform them about the scam. You can also report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov.
- Educate yourself and others about phishing scams and how to avoid them. You can find more information and resources at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams.
Check if you’re device is infected with malware
The Coca-Cola Customer Satisfaction Survey scam sites may contain malware or redirect you to other sites that are malicious. To check your computer or phone for Trojans, browser hijackers, or other malware and remove them for free, you run a scan with Malwarebytes Free.
Malwarebytes runs on Windows, Mac, and Android. Click the tab below for the device you want to scan, then follow the steps to remove any malware it finds.
Scan Your Computer with Malwarebytes for Windows
Malwarebytes is one of the most popular and trusted anti-malware tools for Windows — and it’s completely free for removing infections. It catches threats that many antivirus programs miss, including adware, browser hijackers, and trojans. Follow the steps below to scan and clean your PC in just a few minutes.
Download Malwarebytes
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows from the official source. The free version is all you need — it will scan your computer and remove adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious software at no cost.
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for Windows 11 and 10. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium
Malwarebytes Free for WindowsScans and removes malware at no cost-
Install Malwarebytes
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the MBSetup file. If Windows shows a User Account Control pop-up, click “Yes” to allow the installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The setup wizard will walk you through a few quick screens:
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Choose where you’re installing the program — “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” — then click Next.
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Malwarebytes will now install on your device. This usually takes under a minute.
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When installation is complete, the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen will open automatically.
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On the final screen, click Open Malwarebytes to launch the program.
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Enable “Scan for Rootkits”
Before scanning, turn on rootkit detection so Malwarebytes can find even the most hidden threats. Click the Settings gear icon on the left side of the screen.
In the settings menu, find “Scan for rootkits” and click the toggle so it turns blue.
Done? Click “Dashboard” in the left pane to return to the main screen.
Start the Scan
Click the blue Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its virus database and start checking your computer for malware.
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Wait for the Scan to Finish
The scan checks your entire system for browser hijackers and other malicious programs, so it can take 5 to 20 minutes depending on your computer. Feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
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Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found — malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all of them at once.
Malwarebytes will now remove the malicious files and registry entries and move them safely into quarantine.
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Restart Your Computer
Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot. If Malwarebytes asks you to restart, click Yes. Once you’re logged back in, Malwarebytes has finished removing the threats it found.
That’s it — your Windows computer is now free of trojans, adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
- Run a computer scan with ESET Online Scanner
- Ask for help in our Windows Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Scan Your Mac with Malwarebytes for Mac
Malwarebytes for Mac is a free on-demand scanner that removes the malware other security software tends to miss — adware, browser hijackers, and unwanted programs included. Cleaning an infected Mac with Malwarebytes has always been completely free, and it’s our go-to recommendation. Follow the steps below to scan and clean your Mac in just a few minutes.
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Download Malwarebytes for Mac
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Mac.
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for macOS. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes PremiumMalwarebytes Free for MacScans and removes malware at no cost -
Open the Malwarebytes setup file
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the setup file to begin the installation.
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Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The Malwarebytes for Mac Installer will guide you through a few quick screens. Click “Continue” and keep following the prompts until the installation completes.
When the installation is complete, Malwarebytes opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click “Get started“.
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Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”
Malwarebytes will ask what type of computer you’re installing it on. Click either Personal Computer or Work Computer, whichever applies.
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Start the Scan
Click the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its detection database and begin checking your Mac for malware.
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Wait for the Scan to Finish
Malwarebytes will scan your Mac for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This can take a few minutes, so feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
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Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all the threats at once.
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Restart Your Mac
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files it found. Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot — if Malwarebytes asks you to restart, allow it. Once you’re logged back in, your Mac is clean.
That’s it — your Mac is now free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Scan Your Phone with Malwarebytes for Android
Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.
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Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
Get Malwarebytes for AndroidOpens Google Play in a new tab.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium for AndroidMalwarebytes for AndroidScans your phone and removes malware at no cost -
Install Malwarebytes for Android on your phone.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
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Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options.
This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue.
Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step.
Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue.
Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
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Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.
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Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
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Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
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Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
That’s it — your Android device is now free of malicious apps, adware, and browser redirects.
If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
- Restore your phone to factory settings by going to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
- Ask for help in our Mobile Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Conclusion
The Coca-Cola Customer Satisfaction Survey scam is a phishing scam that tries to trick consumers into giving away their personal and financial information by offering them rewards for taking surveys. The scam uses fake emails and ads that look like they are from Coca-Cola, but they actually lead to malicious websites that collect data from unsuspecting victims.
To avoid falling for this scam, you should be wary of any emails or ads that offer you rewards or prizes for taking surveys, check the sender’s email address and the URL of the website before clicking on any links, look for spelling and grammar errors in the email or the website, contact Coca-Cola directly if you are unsure about the legitimacy of an email or a website, use a security software or a browser extension that can detect and block phishing sites and malicious links, and report any suspicious emails or websites to Coca-Cola and the FTC.
If you have already fallen for this scam, you should change your passwords for your online accounts, monitor your bank statements and credit reports for any suspicious transactions or activities, contact your bank or credit bureau if you notice any unauthorized charges or accounts, contact Coca-Cola and inform them about the scam, report the scam to the FTC, and educate yourself and others about phishing scams and how to avoid them.
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