A phone call received by an Ivory Park woman warning her of an alleged SIM swap attempt on her number has cost her R2 000.
This follows after the victim received a call from a person claiming to be from a cell phone service provider. The caller alleged that someone was attempting to do a SIM swap on her number. After providing her personal details, her phone stopped working.
“Immediately after speaking to the fraudster and having provided her with crucial details, her phone stopped working and that was when money was withdrawn from her bank account. By the time she reached the bank, the victim was already more than R2 000 poorer,” said spokesperson for the Ivory Park Police Station, Captain Bernard Matimulane.
He said a lot of people have fallen prey to this scam which is called Vishing. “Vishing is when a fraudster phones the victim, posing as a bank official or service provider and uses social engineering tactics to manipulate victims into disclosing confidential information. While also leading them to believe that they are speaking to the bank or service provider. This information is then used to defraud the victim, as was the case with the Ivory Park woman, and others before her,” added Matimulane.
He further warned the public that banks would never, under any circumstances, ask their clients to confirm confidential information over the phone. He said as part of precautionary measures, potential victims should not entertain a call from someone asking for private information.
“We advise people to cut such calls immediately. Furthermore, if they lose mobile connectivity under circumstances where they are usually connected, they should check with the service provider whether they may have been a victim of a SIM swap. They should also contact their bank immediately.”
Have you received a similar call? Share your experience. Tweet us @MidrandReporter
Also check out:
https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/197417/beware-of-the-pet-courier-scam/
https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/198665/online-fraud-scams-need-know/
https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/191485/woman-loses-her-money-in-a-scam/
