Psnbounty.org Scam – Don’t Fall For This PSN Gift Card Scam
Written by: Stelian Pilici
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Psnbounty.org is a deceitful website that falsely promises users can generate free PlayStation Network (PSN) gift card codes. However, Psnbounty.org is an outright scam operation. This article will uncover how the Psnbounty scam works and why you should avoid this website.
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What Psnbounty Claims to Offer
At first glance, Psnbounty.org appears to be a generator that provides free unused PSN gift card codes to visitors. The site has a form where you can select your desired PSN card denomination, such as $10, $25, $50, or $100.
After choosing an amount, it takes you to a page with the message “Get free PlayStation Network Giftcard! Code Revealing Pending” and instructions to download and use two free mobile apps in order to reveal the code.
This gives the impression Psnbounty has access to a database of unused PSN codes that it gives out in exchange for app downloads. However, this is a complete fabrication designed to scam users.
How the Psnbounty Scam Actually Works
In reality, Psnbounty.org never provides any actual PSN gift card codes. The apps it has you download are unrelated sketchy apps and games that earn affiliate commission for the site at your expense. The “code revealing” process never results in a code.
Here’s what happens when you attempt to use Psnbounty:
You select a gift card amount which requires “downloading offers” instead of just displaying a code.
It takes you to an intermediary offer page with various downloading instructions instead of a code.
The offers require installing random mobile apps, signing up for subscriptions, or completing spam surveys.
Even after completing 2-3 offers as required, no PSN code ever appears. The “Refresh Button” also does nothing.
At most, it cycles you back to the start to repeat the pointless process. More often it simply stops responding at all.
They obtain identifying information from the offer signups for illicit marketing purposes.
You waste time downloading unwanted apps and entering personal data into sketchy offers.
They generate affiliate commissions from your app downloads. But you gain nothing, as promised gift cards are never delivered.
Warning Signs Psnbounty is a Total Scam
Here are additional red flags that reveal Psnbounty.org’s true nature:
The site requests access to your Google account and contacts during the fake code process, causing serious privacy concerns. Legitimate services would never do this.
There are grammatical errors, typos, and other signs of poor quality throughout the site.
Searches uncover no evidence of anyone ever receiving working PSN codes or successfully redeeming offers from Psnbounty.
The site’s domain was registered through GoDaddy’s Domains By Proxy service to hide the owner’s identity, which avoids accountability.
Psnbounty makes exaggerated claims it cannot back up, like having a “95% success rate” of code delivery.
It engages in affiliate marketing by promoting third-party downloading offers rather than directly providing anything.
Downloads required often contain malware risks, as they come random shady apps and sites.
There is zero proof Psnbounty.org possesses any inside access to PSN codes. The endless downloading requirements should make it obvious no codes will materialize. Psnbounty’s only purposes are generating traffic for affiliate promotions and harvesting user data.
How to Avoid PSN Gift Card Scams
Be wary of any site offering free PSN codes, in-game currencies, or similar deals in exchange for downloads. Here are some tips:
Legitimate giveaways would provide codes upon entry, not make you download anything first. Be skeptical of “code revealing” apps.
Never provide Google account access, phone numbers, or other sensitive information to unfamiliar third-party websites.
Check for basic quality and credibility indicators like professional website copy, real contact details, social media links, etc.
Search for reviews to see if anyone successfully received codes from the website. Lack of feedback indicates a scam.
Avoid clicking promotional links on social media, pop-ups, or unfamiliar sites offering free codes. These often lead to scams.
Use prepaid PSN cards purchased securely from retailers for redeeming on your account, rather than trusting online code generators.
Exercising caution helps avoid wasting time on sites like Psnbounty that prey on users with the false promise of free codes. Legitimate giveaways will never demand something from you before delivering rewards.
What to Do If You Already Provided Information
If you already fell victim to Psnbounty’s scam and provided personal information during their fake gift card process, take these steps:
Contact credit bureaus to place fraud alerts preventing any new accounts opened in your name using stolen info.
Monitor your credit reports frequently for any signs of identity theft and report unauthorized activity immediately.
Change passwords on all accounts urgently, especially if you granted the site Google account access. Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.
Run a scan with Malwarebytes on the devices used to access the site to check for any malware infections resulting from downloaded apps.
Contact your phone carrier about blocking premium SMS services if you received text subscription charges.
Document details to file official scam complaints with the FTC to aid their investigations and consumer protections.
Is Your Device Infected? Check for Malware
If your device is running slowly or acting suspicious, it may be infected with malware. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free is a great option for scanning your device and detecting potential malware or viruses. The free version can efficiently check for and remove many common infections.
Malwarebytes can run on Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Depending on which operating system is installed on the device you’re trying to run a Malwarebytes scan, please click on the tab below and follow the displayed steps.
Malwarebytes For WindowsMalwarebytes For MacMalwarebytes For Android
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Windows to remove malware
Malwarebytes stands out as one of the leading and widely-used anti-malware solutions for Windows, and for good reason. It effectively eradicates various types of malware that other programs often overlook, all at no cost to you. When it comes to disinfecting an infected device, Malwarebytes has consistently been a free and indispensable tool in the battle against malware. We highly recommend it for maintaining a clean and secure system.
Download Malwarebytes for Windows
You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.
After the download is complete, locate the MBSetup file, typically found in your Downloads folder. Double-click on the MBSetup file to begin the installation of Malwarebytes on your computer. If a User Account Control pop-up appears, click “Yes” to continue the Malwarebytes installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, the setup wizard will guide you through the process.
You’ll first be prompted to choose the type of computer you’re installing the program on—select either “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” as appropriate, then click on Next.
Malwarebytes will now begin the installation process on your device.
When the Malwarebytes installation is complete, the program will automatically open to the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen.
On the final screen, simply click on the Open Malwarebytes option to start the program.
Enable “Rootkit scanning”.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start, and you will see the main screen as shown below. To maximize Malwarebytes’ ability to detect malware and unwanted programs, we need to enable rootkit scanning. Click on the “Settings” gear icon located on the left of the screen to access the general settings section.
In the settings menu, enable the “Scan for rootkits” option by clicking the toggle switch until it turns blue.
Now that you have enabled rootkit scanning, click on the “Dashboard” button in the left pane to get back to the main screen.
Perform a Scan with Malwarebytes.
To start a scan, click the Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its antivirus database and begin scanning your computer for malicious programs.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now scan your computer for browser hijackers and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Quarantine detected malware
Once the Malwarebytes scan is complete, it will display a list of detected malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. To effectively remove these threats, click the “Quarantine” button.
Malwarebytes will now delete all of the files and registry keys and add them to the program’s quarantine.
Restart your computer.
When removing files, Malwarebytes may require a reboot to fully eliminate some threats. If you see a message indicating that a reboot is needed, please allow it. Once your computer has restarted and you are logged back in, you can continue with the remaining steps.
Your computer should now be free of trojans, adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you may want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Mac is an on-demand scanner that can destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss without costing you absolutely anything. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free, and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
Download Malwarebytes for Mac.
You can download Malwarebytes for Mac by clicking the link below.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the setup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes for Mac Installer which will guide you through the installation process. Click “Continue“, then keep following the prompts to continue with the installation process.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”.
The Malwarebytes Welcome screen will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
Click on “Scan”.
To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes for Mac will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malware.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will scan your computer for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. 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.
Click on “Quarantine”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malware that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Restart computer.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
Your Mac should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future. 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 to remove malware
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.
Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Your phone should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious app on your phone, you may want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes to protect against these types of threats in the future. 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.
Psnbounty.org exhibits all of the characteristics of a scam website that will not provide you with the promised PSN gift cards. Do not trust this site or provide any personal data during its fake code generation process. Seek codes only from reliable sources and be wary of unbelievable deals. Avoiding obvious scams like Psnbounty protects your info and ensures you don’t fall victim to their deceptive tactics.
How to Stay Safe Online
Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:
Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.
It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.
Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.
Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.
Be careful when installing programs and apps.
Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."
Install an ad blocker.
Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.
Be careful what you download.
A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.
Be alert for people trying to trick you.
Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.
Back up your data.
Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.
Choose strong passwords.
Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.
Be careful where you click.
Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.
Don't use pirated software.
Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.
To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.
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Meet Stelian Pilici
Stelian leverages over a decade of cybersecurity expertise to lead malware analysis and removal, uncover scams, and educate people. His experience provides insightful analysis and valuable perspective.
