What is Social Engineering?
Social engineering is an art of manipulating people, so they give up confidential information. The types of information criminals are seeking can vary, but when individuals are targeted, the criminals are usually trying to trick you into giving them a PIN you received or to reply to a text message with a keyword to authorize a transaction. That will give them credits on their game account and leave you with a phone bill to pay.
What does a Social Engineering scam look like?
The criminals are taking advantage of your trust and curiosity by contacting you on social media, using a compelling story and putting you under time pressure.
They may contact you via chat impersonating a relative or a friend and ask for your mobile number and then talk you into releasing a PIN to help them to win a contest or ask you to donate to their charitable fundraiser or even to notify you that you are a winner of a competition.
Be smart and research the facts!
Always read the full message before replying or using a PIN code. In the text messages sent to the mobile number, instructions would have been included to reply to the message or to use a PIN to accept the charge. To protect yourself in the future, we advise you not to give out PINs or reply to text messages if you did not intend to make a purchase yourself, even if you believe you are talking to a friend.