Strengthening Online Scam Awareness to Safeguard the Digital Space
The increasing number of detected online scams, cybercriminals, and the rising damages caused by fraud are ringing alarm bells for everybody. Having awareness about online fraud and raising vigilance against online scams have grown to be more crucial than previously.
With over 70 million Internet users 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 platforms, OTT messaging applications, and different online channels, and will be offering connectivity and clear communication benefits, have also become channels for criminals to execute scams on various user demographics, from the elderly to workers in offices, laborers, youth, students, and also children.
Dominant Types of Online Scams
According to statistics, there are three main sets 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 will be 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 contact number will be locked for two hours because of various reasons like "unpaid fines" or "incorrect subscriber information." After requesting personal 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 Strengthening Online Scam Awareness to Safeguard the Digital Space gain control over incoming calls, the perpetrators log in to the victim's e-wallet applications, social media accounts, etc., and claim to have forgotten their login credentials, choosing the feature to get OTP notification calls. From there, they are able to 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 ought to not adhere to requests from unfamiliar telephone numbers and 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 numerous SMS Brandname impersonation messages to users, aiming to seize their assets. The devices used to generate 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 care in the following actions:
Always remember that banks, service providers, manufacturers, etc., typically 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. Usually 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 on the phone, email, social media marketing, or websites. Use electronic banking services only through the state website of the lender, and contact the bank's hotline for official information. The state websites of banks usually use 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 web site or application.
In Strengthening Online Scam Awareness to guard the Digital Space of fraud discovery, users should save evidence and report to mobile network providers for resolution. Additionally, they ought to provide the evidence to the nearest law enforcement agencies under the provisions of the law.
Avoiding Online Recruitment Scams
This type 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 type 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 watch 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 for example SSL or "https://" prior to the URL.
Lack of company information or contact details.
Lack of contracts or clear agreements.
Negative feedback and reviews from other users.
If any of these signs are present, individuals should consider the chance of being scammed and remain vigilant, avoiding falling into traps.
Collaborative Efforts to Promote Cybersecurity
Recognizing the importance of being a pioneer in digital transformation, creating a digital society and a digital nation, Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) is among eight corporations and enterprises participating in the cybersecurity awareness campaign for the public on the cyberspace coordinated by the Authority of Information Security (AIS) and the Vietnam Information Security Association (VNISA). This collaborative effort aims to interact with the federal government, agencies, ministries, and associations to safeguard Vietnamese users safely in the cyberspace.
To conclude, strengthening awareness and alerting the general public about various online scams is vital in the face of increasingly complex and sophisticated cybercriminals. Only when Strengthening Online Scam Awareness to guard the Digital Space and adopt preventive measures against scams can we safely and confidently embrace the growing digital space of our nation.
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