Many scams impersonate network operators when buying mobile data packages
Scammers create fake websites with an interface similar to the information portals of major network operators in the region and internationally to lure users to provide phone numbers, personal information or payment data. Kaspersky shared some examples of these fake login pages, and at the same time issued recommendations to help users increase vigilance, so as not to fall into the trap of cybercriminals.
For example, fraudsters take advantage of the brand name of an international telecommunications corporation providing services in Asia, Africa and Europe. Fake authentication sites trick users into providing phone numbers and login information. When entering login information or payment data on fake sites, users are at risk of losing money, leaking personal data, and becoming targets of scam calls or spam messages with a higher frequency.
In another case, fraudsters create a fake fraud website impersonating an international telecommunications corporation operating in North Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. This website tricks users into entering personal information and payment card information to top up mobile data packages or Internet access packages.
Experts also discovered another form of fraud impersonating network operators, requiring users to enter personal information to check and pay bills. These tricks are used to collect personal information of victims, to serve fraud, account appropriation or subsequent money theft.
Solutions, advice
Ms. Tatyana Kulikova, Kaspersky's cybersecurity expert, said that by optimizing the power of AI, fraudsters can now create more sophisticated and faster fake websites, exploiting the most interested topics.
To protect personal information and assets, users need to be especially vigilant when buying mobile packages or online Internet packages. Buying eSIM via the official application of the network operator is the safest way to help users avoid the risk of accidentally accessing fake websites, because they do not need to enter personal information on unreliable websites.
If you are not sure if a website is an official page or not, search directly for the brand name on the search engine, and use a security solution that can automatically block fraudulent links.
In addition, cybersecurity experts also recommend users to take some measures to buy more secure mobile data and Internet packages:
- Check the website carefully before entering any information. Pay attention to unusual signs such as spelling errors, abnormal characters, or domain names that are different from the official page.
- Do not rush to trust links or attachments received via email. Always verify the sender before opening any links or files.
- Using security solutions with powerful anti-phishing features, which can help users detect and avoid accidentally accessing fake sales pages, thanks to advanced detection technology, capable of analyzing website characteristics and URL links to identify suspicious signs.
