SMS Scams Report in NST 2008/06/22

Report on NST on SMS scams. Take precautions, think first... there is nothing free in this world.

SMS SCAM: Congratulations, you've won RM19,000
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/Frontpage/2274141/Article/index_html
...
The perpetrators prey on a person's greed by sending an SMS saying they had won a contest or lottery. ...

SMS SCAM: How the text message scammers work
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/Frontpage/2274142/Article/index_html
...Type A: The scammers randomly select numbers and send SMS messages to them
...Type B: A SMS was sent saying you have won an overseas lottery.

SMS SCAM: Fraudsters usually use foreign telephone numbers
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/Frontpage/2273838/Article/index_html
..."Usually, these SMSes feature a foreign phone number for the recipient to respond to.
...Maxis
...Astro
...Petronas
...Maybank

SMS SCAM: Good sense saved legal adviser
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/Frontpage/2273858/Article/index_html
..."The man who picked up my call had an Indonesian accent. He congratulated me and asked me if I wanted to collect the winnings in cash or cheque.

"Before I could answer, he said it would be easier if I provided him with my bank account number so that they could bank in the money....

SMS SCAM: Verify message and don't reveal bank account details third party
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/Frontpage/2273847/Article/index_html

TIPS FROM POLICE:

- When you receive an SMS saying you have won something, always verify it with the company named in the SMS. Contact the company in Malaysia and not the number given to you in the SMS.
- If the message cannot be verified, ignore it.

- If you are a victim, lodge a report.

- You should never provide your bank details, ATM card or PIN number to a third party. The same goes for Internet banking identification or password.

- Do not open a bank account for a third party. If you have done it, close it immediately and lodge a police report.
- If you are asked to call a number to verify your gift and the person on the other end claims to be Malaysian but has a foreign accent, be suspicious.

- Pay attention to the caution notices placed at ATMs.

TIPS FROM MAYBANK:

- Do not respond to text messages from anyone requesting for private information such as Maybank2u username and password.

- Do not reveal your Internet username or password to anyone even if they claim to be from the bank.

- For certain transactions over Maybank2u.com, the bank has implemented a transaction authorisation code (TAC), an added online security feature. Do not register any third party mobile number at Maybank ATMs for the issuance of TAC. Only register your own mobile phone number so that the TAC is sent to you.

- Never allow a third party to use your ATM card or have access to your PIN.

- Always be careful when making online transactions especially at unsecured places like cyber cafes.