Skip to content
shopping — All about cybersecurity.

Identifying Deception: Expert Insights on Spotting Scams

Preferred locations for spotting fraudulent activities include phone conversations, social media platforms, messaging services, mobile applications, and internet sites.

,   and  Administrator
4 min read
Primary platforms where fraudulent activities are most prevalent include phone calls, social media...
Primary platforms where fraudulent activities are most prevalent include phone calls, social media and messaging apps, mobile apps, and online websites.

Identifying Deception: Expert Insights on Spotting Scams

Chat Channels: Beware of Scam Artists on VK, Classmates, WhatsApp, Telegram, Twitter

YAKUTIA.INFO. The digital era brings not only benefits but also new avenues for trickery. To protect yourself and prevent becoming a target, understanding the red flags and following simple precautions is crucial. Boris Lopatin, senior fraud investigator at MegaFon, offers insights on how to spot these schemes.

Lopatin pinpoints common communication channels where you may encounter deception: phone calls, messages on social media and messaging apps, mobile apps, and websites.

Fraudulent phone calls pretending to be from banks, demanding money transfers to a "safe account," have become an unpleasant reality. Lopatin notes that collaborative efforts by the government and mobile operators to thwart fraudulent calls and SMS have driven scammers to resort to messaging apps. They may change their tactics or persist with familiar ones, posing as employees of telecom operators, banks, government agencies, or health organizations. Their ultimate objective remains consistent - to obtain your confidential data and drain your bank account.

Scammers mainly aim to apply psychological pressure on their victims: to instill fear, rush them, persuade them not to share their actions with others, and force them to disclose confidential information - passwords and SMS codes, answers to security questions for website logins.

Data breaches from multiple sources equip fraudsters for an attack. Hence, staying alert, calm, and patient, even if they address you by name and provide personal details, is key. You can always terminate such conversations, ignore suspicious messages, and independently verify the information with the organization they claim to represent. Remember to update your account information on banking apps and other services regularly. Ensure that your account is no longer linked to a number you no longer utilize.

Remain vigilant against participation requests in votes or lotteries, and avoid clicking on dubious links - even if they appear from someone in your contacts. if a friend seeks assistance, attempt reaching out via alternative channels or cross-check the information with mutual acquaintances.

Currently, there's a surge in phishing sites and mobile trojans designed to pilfer money. Swindlers fabricate sites that mirrors popular ones and create fake apps. Their activity peaks during holidays, sales, and significant cultural and public events. Impersonating financial institutions, retailers, and government agencies, they disseminate info about cashback and discounts, requiring you to input your bank card details or other sensitive information on fake sites and apps.

Lopatin advises not to click on suspicious links or believe in get-rich-quick schemes, but verify information from official sources. To boost protection, he recommends installing antivirus software with anti-phishing capabilities.

By heeding these tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of data breaches and financial losses. In this digital age, critically evaluating external information and double-checking questionable requests, links, and messages - even from familiar individuals - is vital, as your digital safety hinges on your vigilance and ability to critically assess information.

Tags: MegaFon Yakutia, Remote Fraud

Stay informed, our Telegram Channel VKontakte OK WhatsApp Telegram Twitter

Enrichment Data:Recognizing and evading fraudulent activities on messaging apps and social media platforms necessitates a blend of alertness, caution, and the utilization of available protective measures. Here's how you can stay safe:

Spotting Scams

  1. Unexpected Solicitations: Be cautious of unsolicited messages, particularly those requesting personal information or financial details. trustworthy companies don't request such details via messaging apps or social media[2].
  2. Verify Senders: Always confirm the authenticity of senders. Scammers frequently assume identities of friends or well-known firms to gain trust[2].
  3. Sense of Urgency: Scams often induce a sense of urgency to prompt prompt action. Genuine messages will not pressure you into making hasty decisions[2].
  4. Lack of Personalization: Scammers often lack access to your personal details, so messages could seem generic or awkwardly worded[2].

Evading Scams

  1. Secure Your Accounts: Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible to forestall unauthorized access to your accounts[2].
  2. Use Security Software: Install and routinely update security software on your devices to protect against malware and viruses that can compromise your personal data[2].
  3. Report Suspicious Activity: If you identify a scam or suspect activity, report it to the platform and block the sender. In the case of spam texts, forward them to 7726 (SPAM) to aid your provider in blocking similar messages[5].
  4. Use Blocking Tools: Utilize built-in features or third-party apps to block unwanted messages or calls[5].
  5. Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with the latest scams and fraud strategies to better recognize and avoid them[4].

By being vigilant and employing these strategies, you can substantially reduce the risk of falling victim to scams on messaging apps and social media platforms.

  • In the digital era, be aware of scam artists on messaging apps like VK, Classmates, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Twitter, as they may pose as employees of telecom operators, banks, government agencies, or health organizations to obtain your confidential data.
  • Data breaches from multiple sources can equip fraudsters for an attack, so it's crucial to stay alert, observe suspicious messages, and independently verify information from the organizations they claim to represent. Remember to avoid clicking on dubious links and verify information from official sources.
  • To enhance your cybersecurity and protect yourself from scams, consider installing antivirus software with anti-phishing capabilities. Additionally, using strong, unique passwords and enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) can help secure your accounts, making it harder for scammers to access your personal information.

Read also:

    Related

    Latest