- Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-orders are available right now, with millions of fans flocking to secure copies of the game
- Researchers warn that the excitement presents an opportunity for scammers
- Possible scams include fraudulent early access sites and fake retailers
Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-orders are available right now, offering millions of eager fans the chance to secure copies of what is already undoubtedly the most anticipated game of all time. It's an exciting time to be a gamer, but the pre-order frenzy also presents a huge opportunity for scammers.
We've already seen the rise of fake early access websites designed to steal your card details, but researchers at Norton say that this could be part of a larger, more alarming trend.
Iskander Sanchez-Rola, senior director of AI and innovation at Norton parent company Gen Digital, warns that while every big game launch attracts scammers "GTA 6 is on a completely different scale."
"Millions of people are looking for the latest trailer, trying to pre-order, or hoping they’ve found a way to get the game a little cheaper," he explains.
"That’s exactly what they take advantage of. Scammers don’t need to break into Rockstar or hack the game. They just need to get between the excitement and the purchase."
He says that the team at Gen has already found a number of scams that shoppers could fall victim to. These include fake pre-order websites with attractive offers on the game, but Sanchez-Rola cautions that it's not just buyers of the physical edition that are being targeted.
"There are also fake gift card offers," he says. "A lot of people will be looking for the cheapest way to buy GTA 6, and scammers know that."
The threat even extends beyond the search engine results page onto Discord, a messaging service that is hugely popular with gamers, and other social media platforms.
"We found dark web services advertising mass Discord messaging and tools that help criminals target gaming communities," he reveals.
"Instead of hoping someone finds a fake website, they can put that fake offer directly in front of people who are already talking about it."
Scam links will often take you to a fake login page, harvesting your credentials so criminals can access your PlayStation or Xbox accounts.
Luckily, Sanchez-Rola does have some sage advice to help keep buyers safe: "The biggest thing is not to rush."
"If someone is offering GTA 6 for much less than everyone else, or they’re selling heavily discounted gift cards, take a minute to check whether it actually makes sense," he continues. "The few minutes you spend verifying a website are nothing compared to the time it can take to recover a compromised account.
"I’d also be careful with links shared through Discord or social media. Gamers naturally trust recommendations from other gamers, and scammers know that.
"Finally, turn on multi-factor authentication for your gaming accounts. Most people think they’re protecting a single game, but what they’re really protecting is years of purchases."
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