Criminals are targeting unsuspecting Telkom customers with the aim of acquiring their personal details, internet usernames and passwords.
By using false pretences, criminals are hoping to defraud customers out of money.
“The latest modus operandi fraudsters are using to target customers and the public at large involves a phishing scam via email,” said Mr Thokozani Mvelase, Telkom’s Group Executive for Enterprise Risk Management.
He said these illegal activities have been going on for some time. “After warning the public about such activity previously, we noticed a significant drop in Telkom customers being targeted. However, some of these activities seem to be on the rise again and we hope the public will be vigilant about any attempts to defraud them,” said Mr Mvelase.
The scam that recently surfaced sees fraudsters e-mailing Telkom customers the following message:
Attention
Notification from Telkom SA hard office Account department, Our apologies for the inconveniences, kindly send us your last three months Telkom bills. As there is a mistake over billing (charge) some of our clients.
As well state your last payment paid to us.
Kindly scan the copy and send it back to us by e-mail, if on your mail forward it to us.
Thanks For Your Corporation
Jabulane Mabuza.
The emails appear to be sent from account.department@telkom.co.za. An investigation revealed that the email address used by the hoaxer is linked to a private Gmail account and does not belong to Telkom. The company will investigate further to locate the actual source of the fraudulent emails.
“I urge the public to be extremely vigilant if they receive emails similar to these, especially if it is followed up with phone calls requesting the banking details for refund purposes,” said Mr Mvelase.
“Telkom does not conduct its business this way. We would never ask customers to send us their statements; we have that already. Also, reimbursements are not credited into our customers’ bank accounts. In the event of a credit, Telkom passes it on to the customers’ telephone account for the next month,” said Mr Mvelase. He added that internet users should always be mindful of a wide array of phishing scams. Phishing is the criminally fraudulent process of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and banking and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.
Mr Mvelase said customers must be suspicious if they receive unsolicited calls or emails. “Remember, usernames and passwords are unique and must be kept confidential at all times. Otherwise, you run the risk of bandwidth theft, or outside parties accessing your emails. This becomes extremely serious if access to your mailing system is abused for fraudulent or criminal ends,” he said.
If members of the public are suspicious, or unsure if requests are legitimate, they are urged to contact Telkom’s fraud hotline on 0800 124 000 or their nearest police station.
(Please note: the email copy is an original and as such, is unedited.)
