As the Christmas season approaches, Whoscall, the global anti-scam application, has highlighted five short message service (SMS) scams that tend to target the unsuspecting this holiday season.
“Fraudsters are taking advantage of the holiday spirit and the increase in online shopping, resulting in huge financial losses for victims,” said Gogolook Philippines Country Head Mel Migriño.
“During the coming holiday season, it is expected that different SMS scams will appear. Be aware and vigilant when receiving unsolicited messages, especially those asking for personal information or offering suspicious deals,” he added.
Whoscall, developed by Gogolook, a leader in TrustTech, aims to protect people from online fraud.
Package Delivery, Shopping Voucher Scams
Scammers send messages saying the package is on its way to the recipient but requires additional payment for delivery or handling charges.
These messages often contain links to phishing websites designed to steal personal information.
In Shopping Voucher scams, on the other hand, fraudsters may send documents offering special discounts or vouchers from well-known retailers.
Recipients are then directed to fake websites designed to steal their personal information.
Fake Charity Donations
The holiday season encourages generosity, which scammers take advantage of by asking for donations to fake charities or relief efforts.
Emotional appeals and misleading claims are used to persuade people to donate.
“During the holidays, giving is everywhere – but so are the scammers. They exploit our kindness, using emotional stories and fake reasons to trick us into donating,” it said.
“Keep your spirit of giving safe by verifying before you donate,” he added.
Holiday Giveaway Scams
Messages telling recipients to win a holiday gift or contest are common during this season.
These messages often ask for personal information or a small payment in exchange for a non-existent prize.
Shopping Vouchers and Discounts
Scammers may send documents offering special shopping vouchers or discounts from well-known retailers. Recipients are directed to fake websites designed to collect personal information.
Bank Confirmation Scams
During the holiday season, fraudsters pose as banks, sending SMS messages asking for confirmation of recent transactions or account information.
These messages often create a sense of urgency to prompt immediate action.
“Fraudsters know how to exploit people during the holidays, often impersonating banks and sending urgent SMSes asking for account verification. They create a false sense of urgency, encouraging you to act quickly,” explained Ms. Migriño.
AI is used for profiling
Ms. Migriño further explained that while artificial intelligence (AI) has an important role in today’s digital world, it also helps online fraudsters refine their tactics.
“Online scammers are now using AI to impersonate their victims online,” said Ms. Migriño.
He stressed the importance of using tools like the Whoscall app, which includes a URL Scanner feature to alert users if a website is safe or a potential scam. This feature helps prevent online scams.
“With tools like Whoscall, we can protect ourselves from fraud during the holidays,” he said, urging the public to be vigilant.
“Always verify the source of any unsolicited messages, avoid clicking on suspicious links, and report any fraudulent activity to the authorities. By staying vigilant, you can enjoy the holiday season while keeping your personal information safe,” he added.
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