How to spot and avoid mobile phone scams.

A lot of us live our lives on our smartphones. We use them for more than just calls, texts, and browsing the web; as a result, they also store personal and sensitive data. Unfortunately, this makes them a target for fraudsters.

Mobile phone scams are getting smarter and more prevalent. There are many types of scams out there; thankfully, often, these scams are often easy to spot if you know what to look out for. Below, we will give you a brief insight into the most common scams targeting mobile phone users and a few tips on how to spot them.

Smishing combines SMS and phishing, where scammers send text messages that appear to be from trusted sources, like banks or service providers. These messages may contain malicious links, direct you to fake websites, or request personal information.

How to spot it:

• Look out for generic greetings or misspellings.
• Suspicious links that don’t match known domains.
• Urgent or alarming messages demanding immediate action.
• Requests for payment or verification using unconventional methods.

What to do:

• Do not click on any links in the message.
• Never reply to the text.
• Report the message. You can do this by forwarding the text to 7726.
• If it claims to be from a bank or a similar institution, contact them directly via their official customer service channels.

Similar to smishing but conducted via phone calls. Fraudsters pose as representatives from banks, service providers, or government bodies, seeking sensitive information.

How to spot it:

• Unsolicited calls asking for personal or financial details.
• Use of pressure tactics or threatening language.
• Caller IDs that appear genuine but may be spoofed.
• Evasive responses to questions about identity or affiliation.

What to do:

• Hang up immediately on suspicious calls.
• Do not provide any personal information over the phone.
• Verify the caller’s identity by contacting the organization they claim to represent through official channels.
• Report the incident to your network provider and, if appropriate, to the police or fraud prevention agencies.

Unsolicited callers offer enticing phone upgrades with hidden catches, or they may seek personal details under this pretext.

How to spot it:

• Claiming to be from a network other then the one you’re on.
• Offers that seem too good to be true.
• High-pressure sales tactics for immediate decisions.
• Early requests for payment or personal details.
• Lack of detailed knowledge about the offered products.

What to do:

• Avoid agreeing to any deals or sharing details over the phone.
• Check the legitimacy of the offer by contacting your service provider directly through their official channels.
• Be cautious of providing credit card or personal information.
• Report the scam call to your network provider and relevant authorities if necessary.

Scammers send messages claiming issues with your account or bills. Engaging can lead to financial losses or stolen details.

How to spot it:

• Alerts about unexpected bills or account issues.
• Instructions to click a link for issue resolution.
• Messages creating a sense of panic or urgency.
• Sender details that mismatch official contact information.

What to do:

• Don't reply to the text or click on any links.
• Check your account directly via the official app or website, app, or contact customer service.
• Report the message. You can do this by forwarding the text to 7726.
• Change your account passwords if you suspect any compromise.

Scammers impersonate someone you trust, like a family member or colleague, often with urgent stories needing financial help or information.

How to spot it:

• A family member or friend texting you from a number other than their own.
• Sudden requests for money or personal details.
• Inconsistencies with known facts about the person.
• Discrepancies in voice or background details.
• Rushing you away from verification attempts.

What to do:

• Do not send money or share personal details based on the request.
• Verify the caller’s identity by contacting them through a known and trusted method.
• Inform the police if the scam involves impersonation of legal entities or emergency situations.
• Alert your friends and family, especially if the scammer impersonates someone you know.

There are 2 forms of PAC fraud, one being where fraudsters will obtain a PAC by accessing your account or impersonating you when speaking to customer service, the other being when they attempt to trick you into acquiring and revealing your PAC code, enabling them to transfer your number to a new SIM, intercepting calls and texts.

How to spot it:

• Receiving a text message from your network advising you of your PAC code, when you didn’t request one.
• Unexpected requests for a PAC code.
• Sudden loss of mobile service.
• Unusual activities or transfer requests on your phone.
• Communications from unknown carriers or for uninitiated switches.

What to do:

• Never share your PAC code unless you initiated the number porting process.
• If you receive unexpected requests, contact your mobile service provider immediately.
• Monitor your phone for any service interruptions.
• Report any suspicious activity to your provider and consider changing your account security settings.

By familiarising yourself with the above, you can respond effectively to potential scams, minimizing the risk of falling victim to these deceptive tactics. Remember, staying alert and informed is your first line of defence.

If you think you’ve been a victim of mobile phone fraud, contact your bank, Action Fraud and your mobile network immediately. 

Are there any scams out there that haven’t been mentioned above? Share them with the Community below.