Scammers will go to great lengths to convince you that a fortune awaits if you follow their instructions.
You may be introduced to a second or even third scammer – posing as a banker, TV channel representative or government official.
Some of the common scams include:
a) Attempts to gain your personal information
Scammers use all kinds of approaches to steal personal details. Once obtained, they can use the stolen identity to commit fraudulent activities.
b) Impersonating Banks/Organizations
Scammers may impersonate genuine organizations such as banks, etc. A common fraud technique is that your “ATM has been blocked” and that you should call a number (listed in the message) to get your ATM unblocked.
Another technique used by scammers is to pretend to be representatives of ANC and ask for money in guise of registration and/or licensing.
c) Threats & extortion
Scammers try to steal identity or money – including threatening the life of the person they are calling.
d) Cash Transfer/”Sending a code”
Scammers invent convincing and seemingly legitimate reasons to lull the receiver of message or caller into a false sense of security. For example: a popular technique is to send the receiver a message about transferring money into their payment account by mistake and to send a certain “code” or “message” back to them.
e) Prize/Lottery Scams
Scammers trick you into giving money or your personal information in order to receive a prize from a lottery or competition that you may have never entered. Such scammers usually impersonate popular TV game show programmes.