Strengthening Online Scam Awareness to Safeguard the Digital Space
The increasing amount of detected online scams, cybercriminals, and the rising damages due to fraud are ringing alarm bells for everybody. Having awareness about online fraud and raising vigilance against online scams have become more crucial than ever before.
With over 70 million Internet surfers and limited awareness about online fraud tactics, Vietnam has turned into a fertile ground for cybercriminals to thrive with increasingly sophisticated and dangerous scamming schemes, targeting high-value assets. Social media marketing platforms, OTT messaging applications, and different online channels, and will be offering connectivity and clear communication benefits, also have become channels for criminals to execute scams on various user demographics, from the elderly to workers in offices, laborers, youth, students, and even children.
Dominant Types of Online Scams
According to statistics, there are three main groups of scams (brand impersonation, account takeover, and combined forms) with 24 specific scamming methods taking place in the Vietnamese cyberspace. Among these, the "SIM lock" scam as a result of non-standardized subscriber registration, the spread of SMS Brandname impersonation messages, and online recruitment scams are the three most prevailing forms, impacting various age ranges. This article provides identification signs and precautions against these three highly vigilant online scam forms prevalent today.
1. "SIM Lock" Scam
Fraudsters often impersonate as government officials or network representatives, calling users and informing them that their phone number will be locked for two hours because of various reasons like "unpaid fines" or "incorrect subscriber information." After requesting private information, they further instruct users to execute certain steps, such as for example sending messages to improve the owner's information or forwarding calls. After they gain control over incoming calls, the perpetrators log in to the victim's e-wallet applications, social media marketing accounts, etc., and claim to possess forgotten their login credentials, choosing the feature to receive OTP notification calls. From there, they can easily hijack social media accounts, control e-wallet funds, and access bank accounts linked to e-wallets.
In order to avoid falling victim, users should actively verify if their information has been standardized or not through tools and guidance from network providers. They should not adhere to requests from unfamiliar phone numbers and really should only follow update and standardization notifications from official channels of mobile network service providers.
2. SMS Brandname Impersonation Scam
Scammers exploit the automatic connection feature to BTS stations with strong phone signal strength. They use fake BTS stations to send a large number of SMS Brandname impersonation messages to users, looking to seize their assets. The devices used to create fake BTS stations are plentiful on the market and are transported to crowded places like public events, where they send messages to connected subscribers.
To avoid falling for SMS Brandname impersonation scams, individuals should exercise extreme caution in the following actions:
Remember that banks, providers, manufacturers, etc., typically usually do not request personal information through SMS, email, chat software, etc. Therefore, receiving SMS messages demanding private information is abnormal.
Never access links in suspicious or unverified messages. Do not log into personal accounts on such websites.
Avoid providing names, online banking login passwords, OTP codes, charge card numbers, along with other bank-related information over the phone, email, social media, or websites. Use electronic banking services only through the state website of the bank, and contact the bank's hotline for official information. The official websites of banks usually utilize the https protocol and end with the .vn domain.
If receiving unusual messages, promptly contact the brand's official hotline to verify the legitimacy of the website or application.
In the event of fraud discovery, users should save evidence and report to mobile network service providers for resolution. Additionally, they ought to provide the evidence to the nearest police agencies under the provisions of regulations.
Avoiding Online Recruitment Scams
This form of scam involves deceiving victims with promises of high-paying, easy jobs as collaborators for e-commerce platforms such as for example Tiki, Shopee, Lazada, and other renowned brands. The scammers try to rob their victims of money, and the amounts they gain through this form of scamming range from a few million to many hundred million VND.
To identify and steer clear of falling for online recruitment scams, individuals should look out for the following signs:
Demanding upfront payment before commencing work.
Requesting personal bank account information, including credit card numbers or bank details, beneath the pretense of making payments or creating accounts.
Advertising jobs with excessively attractive and easy incomes, without requiring special skills or experience.
Unsafe payment pages for orders without security symbols such as SSL or "https://" prior to the URL.
lừa đảo trực tuyến or contact details.
Absence of contracts or clear agreements.
Negative feedback and reviews from other users.
If these signs can be found, individuals should consider the chance to be scammed and remain vigilant, avoiding falling into traps.
Collaborative Efforts to Promote Cybersecurity
Recognizing the importance to be a pioneer in digital transformation, developing a digital society and a digital nation, Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) is one of eight corporations and enterprises taking part in the cybersecurity awareness campaign for the general public on the cyberspace coordinated by the Authority of Information Security (AIS) and the Vietnam Information Security Association (VNISA). This collaborative effort aims to work together with the Government, agencies, ministries, and associations to safeguard Vietnamese users safely in the cyberspace.
In conclusion, strengthening awareness and alerting the public about various online scams is essential when confronted with increasingly complex and sophisticated cybercriminals. Only once people prioritize vigilance and adopt preventive measures against scams can we safely and confidently embrace the growing digital space of our nation.
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