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SINGAPORE – With coronaviruses wreaking havoc on communities around the world and more people having to shop online, online scams seem to grow. Here are five scams to watch out for:
1. THE FALSE OFFICER
Scam artists pose as officials of various government agencies and try to trick victims into paying a fine or disclosing personal information.
In one version, callers posing as Health Ministry officials tell victims that Chinese officials have confiscated packages, registered under the victims’ names, that contain contraband drugs to treat the coronavirus.
They trick victims into revealing their NRIC numbers, passport details, and internet banking credentials to clear their names.
In another version, scammers pose as “SGUnite” representatives and send emails alleging that the recipients have been identified leaving their homes and are subject to fines of $ 150. The email contains unverified links for payment of these fines.
How to avoid this: Be very careful when receiving unexpected international calls, which have been prefixed with a plus sign since the middle of last month.
Do not provide personal information such as NRIC numbers, passport details, and online banking credentials. No government agency will request these details or transfer money over the phone or through automated voice machines.
2. THE GIFT IN CASH
Sheng Shiong supermarket chain gives away $ 250 coupons as Covid-19 relief; $ 15,000 in government brochures, in $ 500 denominations, but only the first 30 people can claim it.
These are all scams that promise cash gifts, often announced on social media at a time when the government has announced measures to help people and businesses during the pandemic.
Scams trick victims into revealing their Internet banking details and one-time passwords (OTP) to receive the money. The scammers use the information to make unauthorized transactions with the victims’ bank accounts.
How to avoid this: The old adage applies: If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Beware of unusual requests or offers from strangers and even well-known social media contacts, as they can be counterfeited.
Verify the authenticity of such messages by checking with friends or family offline or through official government sources. Members of the public can subscribe to receive official updates through the Gov.sg WhatsApp platform at go.gov.sg/whatsapp.
3. THE FAILED DELIVERY
Victims receive a text message asking them to verify a delivery or to charge shipping charges for an item they have ordered.
They are asked to enter credit card or OTP details into a fake postal delivery website, causing this information to fall into the hands of scammers.
While this scam is not new, it has recently resurfaced as e-commerce has recovered during this pandemic.
How to avoid this: Check the web address and URL bar. Legitimate sites must have encrypted addresses that start with https instead of http (the “s” stands for secure), as well as a lock icon in the address bar.
If in doubt, check the main website of the delivery provider. SingPost, for example, warns customers of phishing scammers posing as companies with fake delivery notifications and text messages to extract personal data.
4. THE ENLARGEMENT OF FRIENDS
Scammers create a social media account posing as one of your contacts, complete with an identical profile picture and social media posts.
The “friend” adds him to a social networking site and sends him messages asking for his mobile phone number. He then asks for an OTP, citing various reasons, such as participating in a contest or claiming an award together.
This scam is also not new, but it seems to continue to increase as the moderation capabilities of social media companies have been compromised by the pandemic.
How to avoid this: If a friend adds you on social media with a new account or requests your mobile phone number, try it out with a “secret question” that scammers wouldn’t know the answer to. Better yet, do this over a phone call.
5. THE ELECTRONIC COMMERCE CHEAT
Do you want to buy masks or hand sanitizer? Make sure you don’t buy a scam.
Police say they have received multiple reports from people paying for these items at the Carousell online marketplace, only to have vendors disappear without delivering the products.
How to avoid this: When ordering items online, find well-reviewed sellers and use the checkout feature in the CarouPay app. Your payment will not be released to the seller until you confirm that you have received the item as directed.
If you suspect a scam, or want to stay updated on new ones, go to scamalert.sg
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