In an era where scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and more rampant, scammers have adopted a new phone tactic that’s both convincing and potentially alarming. This morning, I found myself on the receiving end of a call that left me momentarily shaken and questioning the security of my financial accounts.
Here’s the lowdown on the scam and how to stay vigilant in the face of such deceptive tactics.
This morning at around 10.30 a.m., I received a ring from an unfamiliar mobile number. What followed was a professionally recorded message, purportedly alerting me to a credit card transaction exceeding RM7,000.
The voice, that of a polished Caucasian lady speaking perfect English, demanded a response – press 1 if I made the transaction or 0 if not. I was tempted to press 0 in shock as the scammer stated the bank of my credit card correctly. However, I later hesitated, realizing this could very well be a scam.
NOTE: Whatever it is, remain calm and do NOT press on any number or click on any link in a haste!
To ascertain the authenticity of the call, I quickly checked my bank’s phone app for any such transaction. To my relief, there was no record of the alleged transaction. The scam’s sophistication lay in the convincing nature of the pre-recorded message, making it imperative for recipients to exercise caution and verify the claims independently.
Later in the day, at around 2.30 p.m. and then at 4 p.m., the scammers tried their luck again, each time using a different mobile number but employing the same modus operandi. Wisely, I hung up immediately, sparing myself the potential fallout of a deceptive scheme.
NOTE: one dead giveaway that the call was a scam is the different mobile number used each time. The three calls were made in three different mobile numbers.
Taking matters into my own hands, I dialed my bank’s hotline, navigating through the Fraud and Scam option to speak with a life representative. Reassuringly, they confirmed that no such transaction had occurred. I took the opportunity to urge the bank to escalate the matter to their Fraud team, emphasizing the need to warn customers about this evolving scam tactic.
The crucial lesson from this encounter is never to press any number in response to such calls. I was on the verge of pressing a number as instructed as the scammer mentioned the correct bank for my credit card.
My bank’s hotline staff stressed a key point: if there were a legitimate transaction concern, the bank would send an SMS notification via the number 66300. Handphone calls are not their preferred method for contacting customers in matters related to transactions.
As scams evolve, so must our awareness and caution. This latest phone tactic is a stark reminder to remain vigilant, verify independently, and educate ourselves about the methods scammers employ. New tactics constantly emerge and we have to keep ourselves educated by reading the news as well as updates from our banks. By staying informed and cautious, we can protect ourselves and contribute to the collective effort to thwart these deceitful schemes. Stay safe, and remember – when in doubt, verify with your bank.
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