As the festive season of Christmas draws near, Whoscall, a worldwide anti-scam app, has emphasized five short message service (SMS) frauds that often target naive individuals during this time of year.
“Fraudsters exploit the holiday mood and the surge in online purchases, resulting in considerable monetary losses for victims,” stated Gogolook Philippines Country Head Mel Migriño.
“With the forthcoming holiday period, a range of SMS frauds is anticipated to surface. Exercise caution and remain alert when you receive unsolicited texts, particularly those requesting personal details or presenting dubious offers,” she continued.
Whoscall, created by Gogolook, a pioneer in TrustTech, is focused on safeguarding individuals from internet deception and fraud.
Package Delivery and Shopping Voucher Scams
Fraudsters dispatch messages claiming that a package is en route to the recipient but needs an additional fee for delivery or customs duties.
Such messages frequently include links that direct victims to phishing sites aimed at stealing private information.
In the case of Shopping Voucher Scams, fraudsters might send texts promising exclusive discounts or vouchers from popular retailers.
Victims are then routed to counterfeit sites intended to harvest their personal information.
Bogus Charity Donations
The festive season encourages altruism, which scammers exploit by requesting donations for fictitious charities or relief initiatives.
Emotional manipulation and deceptive assertions are utilized to convince people to donate.
“During the holiday time, kindness is abundant—yet so are fraudsters. They capitalize on our compassion, using touching narratives and phony causes to deceive us into giving,” she remarked.
“Ensure your generous spirit is protected by verifying before contributing,” she advised.
Holiday Contest Fraud
Messages alleging that recipients have won a holiday contest or giveaway are frequent during this time.
These communications often seek personal details or a nominal payment to claim a nonexistent reward.
Shopping Vouchers and Discounts
Fraudsters may send texts offering exclusive shopping vouchers or discounts from reputable retailers. Recipients are redirected to fake sites designed to gather personal information.
Bank Verification Fraud
During the holiday period, scammers impersonate banks, sending SMS messages that request verification of recent transactions or account information.
These messages often instigate a sense of urgency to encourage prompt responses.
“Fraudsters are adept at capitalizing on the holiday frenzy, frequently portraying themselves as banks and sending urgent SMS messages seeking account verification. They generate a false sense of urgency, pushing you to act swiftly,” Ms. Migriño explained.
AI Utilized for Profiling
Ms. Migriño elaborated that while artificial intelligence (AI) plays a vital role in today’s digital landscape, it also assists online scammers in honing their strategies.
“Cyber fraudsters are now utilizing AI to profile their targets on the internet,” Ms. Migriño stated.
She highlighted the significance of deploying tools like the Whoscall app, which features a URL Scanner to notify users if a site is secure or potentially fraudulent. This tool aids in preventing online deception.
“With resources like Whoscall, we can shield ourselves from being deceived during the holiday period,” she stated, urging the public to remain vigilant.
“Always verify the origin of any unsolicited messages, refrain from clicking on suspicious links, and report any fraudulent behavior to the authorities. By staying alert, you can enjoy the festive season while safeguarding your personal information,” she added.
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