Have you ever been contacted by a number you don't recognize on the phone, then offered something, or even asked to send some money? Be careful! It could be a scam phone, you know! Currently, there are many modes of telephone fraud that are detrimental to many victims.
For that, you need to be careful when receiving calls from unknown numbers because it could be a form of fraud. Come on, look at the characteristics of telephone fraud as follows so you don't become the next victim.
Phone scams
1. Unknown number and asking for personal data
The first sign of telephone fraud is that the perpetrator must be using a number that you don't recognize or isn't in your cellphone contacts. Usually, the perpetrator uses a mobile phone number, not a number that uses an area code prefix such as (021) or (031). After you pick up the phone, the perpetrator will usually ask for personal data such as username, password, PIN, OTP code, and debit card CVV.
To request this data, perpetrators can use various excuses, for example, asking you to update your debit or credit card. Then you will be asked to provide the required personal data. Remember, this data is confidential, so don't give it to the caller!
You can also read tips on protecting personal data, so it doesn't easily spread and change hands to irresponsible parties.
2. Scammers will keep asking questions to get a "yes" answer
The perpetrators of telephone fraud will usually continue to ask questions with the aim of getting a "yes" answer from the victim. For example, they will ask if you are listening to them or not. If you answer "yes," they will record your voice and use it to authorize your credit or debit card charge.
So, if you get a call from an unknown number and it keeps asking you questions, you can give an answer other than "yes," or you can hang up the phone.
3. The caller will threaten you to immediately carry out the order
The third feature of telephone fraud is that the perpetrator will not hesitate to threaten his target victim. The perpetrator will refuse to hang up the phone and instead tends to push or threaten. For example, the caller informs you that a suspicious transaction has occurred in your account and starts asking for personal money on the grounds that it is necessary to verify data.
In this situation, the perpetrator will usually take advantage of the situation to continue to pressure the victim and refuse to hang up the phone until they get what they want, such as making the victim provide personal data or transfer some money to the perpetrator.
Well, if the caller has started asking you for some money, it's better to just ignore it and hang up. If not, they will continue to bother you until their wishes are fulfilled.
4. Promise gifts
The perpetrators of telephone fraud mode will usually claim to be from certain institutions such as companies or government agencies. They will inform that the target victim won the prize, then ask for the target victim's account details as well as a "one-time processing fee."
They will explain that a "one-time processing fee" is required to deposit money. What you need to know is that usually, if a private company or government institution gives a gift or grant, they will use the company's official contact and will not charge fees outside the ide the provisions.
Meanwhile, gifts or grants from government institutions are usually not given to individuals but to local governments, universities, or social organizations. So, don't fall for scam calls with the lure of prizes.
5. The caller's voice is unclear and stuttering
The last sign of telephone fraud mode is that the caller's voice is unclear and stuttering. You can immediately turn off the phone without asking the purpose and intent of the caller, so you don't become a victim of telephone fraud.
Because if the call is important, chances are the caller will call again or send a message a few moments later after you turn off the phone.
Bank MAS official contact
You also need to know that the official contact center number for Bank MAS is only 021-3000-2500, Bank MAS has never used other numbers to call or contact customers. So, don't be fooled by other numbers on behalf of Bank MAS.
You can also, you know, read other safe transaction tips on the Bank MAS website to avoid various modes of fraud.
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