The Springs SAPS urges bank customers to adopt proactive measures to safeguard themselves against phishing, vishing, and SMishing scams, the increasingly prevalent forms of online fraud.
Police communications officer Sergeant Themba Tshabalala provided insights into these deceptive tactics.
“Phishing involves fraudulent emails that coax users into clicking links directing them to spoofed websites,” explained Tshabalala.
“These sites mimic legitimate financial institutions and aim to deceive users into disclosing sensitive information under false pretences.”
He emphasised phishing emails are typically mass-distributed spam, designed to appear legitimate to unsuspecting recipients.
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Tshabalala described vishing as a scam where fraudsters impersonate bank officials or service providers via phone calls, employing social engineering to coerce victims into revealing confidential data.
“Victims are manipulated into believing they are interacting with legitimate entities, enabling fraudsters to exploit this information for financial gain,” he cautioned.
Regarding SMishing, or SMS phishing, Tshabalala highlighted its similarity to phishing but targeting mobile devices.
Users are tricked into downloading malware, allowing fraudsters to illicitly obtain personal details through deceptive text messages prompting users to call a number or click on a link.
Tshabalala advised that these scams aim to deceitfully acquire sensitive information such as passwords, ID numbers, and bank card details by masquerading as trusted entities like banks or reputable companies.
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Vigilance and caution, he stressed, are crucial in identifying and thwarting these fraudulent schemes to protect oneself from financial harm.
In addition to the advice provided, the SAPS recommend the following precautions to mitigate the risk of falling victim to online scams:
• Do not click on links or icons in unsolicited emails.
• Never reply to these emails. Delete them immediately.
• Do not blindly believe the content of unsolicited emails.
• Always type in the URL (uniform resource locator) or domain name for your bank.
• Check the authenticity of the website.
• Contact your bank immediately if you suspect compromise.
• Use strong, unique passwords and update them regularly.
• Banks will never ask for confidential information over the phone.
• Be cautious with OTPs (One-Time Passwords).
• Monitor mobile connectivity.
