Warning! Mobile phone operator text message scam
26 January, 2024New year, new scam – fraudsters are already busy in 2024 finding new ways to scam consumers, so make ‘being FraudSMART’ your top resolution for 2024.
FraudSMART is warning consumers to beware of a text message scam that is doing the rounds at the moment, appearing to come from the recipient’s mobile phone operator and claiming that their account or contract will be disabled unless they click on a link to accept bogus new terms and conditions.
How does the scam work?
Customers are asked to click on a website link and complete a form with personal information under the pretence of updating the agreement for the new terms and conditions. Sometimes, the customer may also be asked to update their payment information. Subsequently, fraudsters may follow up with a phone call impersonating the mobile company or the bank/service provider to deceive them into divulging further information. This can lead to funds being stolen from a victim’s account or a victim being convinced to pay the fraudster, believing it to be a legitimate transaction.
What should you do if you receive a suspicious text message?
- Do not reply or provide personal or financial information.
- Do not click on links in text messages; instead, log into your mobile provider account through the official website or app.
- Do not hand over your security codes on a phone call.
- Block the sender and delete the message.
- If you are unsure of the legitimacy of any text message, ignore it and contact the company directly using the contact details provided on their official website.
What can you do if you think you have been scammed?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help if something goes wrong. If you think you have responded to a scam text message, contact your bank/service provider immediately using the number on the back of your debit/credit card or the contact details provided on your bank/service provider’s website and report the incident to the Gardaí.
Help keep your family and friends safe in 2024
Anyone can be a target of this kind of scam, and new types of scams and frauds that are increasingly more complex and convincing are continually emerging. Share this alert with your family and friends so that they, too, can stay safe.