Fraud.
Suspect fraudulent activity? Here is what you need to do.
Which type of fraud have you experienced?
Spot and avoid mobile scams.
Mobile phone scams are getting smarter and more prevalent. Thankfully, these scams are often easy to spot if you know what to look out for:
Smishing (SMS Phishing)
Smishing is a scam where criminals send texts that look like they’re from trusted sources. The messages often include harmful links, fake websites, or requests for personal or payment details.
How to spot it:
- Generic greetings or misspellings.
- Links that don’t match known domains.
- Urgent messages demanding immediate action or unexpected payments.
- Requests for usernames, passwords, OTPs, or payment/verification through unusual methods.
What to do:
- Don’t click any links.
- Don’t reply to the message.
- Report it by forwarding the text to 7726.
- If payment is requested, verify through official iD channels listed on our website first.
- If it appears to be from a bank or similar service, confirm directly using their official app or customer service.
Phishing Calls
Similar to smishing but conducted via phone calls. Fraudsters pose as representatives from banks, service providers, or government bodies, seeking sensitive information.
How to spot it:
- Unsolicited calls asking for personal or financial details, including One-Time-Passcodes (OTP).
- Use of pressure tactics or threatening language.
- Caller IDs that appear genuine but may be spoofed.
- Evasive or unclear responses to questions about identity or affiliation.
What to do:
- Hang up immediately on suspicious calls.
- Do not provide any personal information over the phone.
- Verify the caller's identity by contacting the organization they claim to represent through official channels.
- Report the incident to your network provider and, if appropriate, to the police or fraud prevention agencies.
Phone Contract/Returns Scam or Phone Contract & Returns Scam
Unsolicited callers offer enticing phone contracts or upgrades, sometimes claiming you must return an incorrect device to a specific address.
How to spot it:
- Contact from a channel not listed as one of the company’s official contact methods, e.g. WhatsApp.
- Offers that seem too good to be true.
- High-pressure sales tactics for immediate decisions.
- Early requests for payment or personal details.
- Lack of detailed knowledge about the offered products.
- Being asked to return your order to a different address than the official returns address listed on the company website.
What to do:
- Avoid agreeing to any deals or sharing details over the phone.
- Check the legitimacy of the offer by contacting your service provider directly through their official channels.
- Be cautious of providing credit card or personal information.
- Report the scam call to your network provider and relevant authorities if necessary.
- Always return orders to the official returns address provided on the company’s website.
Impersonation Scams
Scammers impersonate someone you trust, like a family member or colleague, often with urgent stories needing financial help or information.
How to spot it:
- A family member or friend messaging you from a number that isn’t theirs.
- Sudden requests for money or personal details.
- Inconsistencies with known facts about the person.
- Discrepancies in voice or background details.
- Pressure to act quickly or avoid verification steps.
What to do:
- Do not send money or share personal details based on the request.
- Verify the caller's identity by contacting them through a known and trusted method.
- Inform the police if the scam involves impersonation of legal entities or emergency situations.
- Alert your friends and family, especially if the scammer impersonates someone you know.