The Police have observed an increase in phishing scam cases reported during the COVID-19 Circuit Breaker period. There were 151 phishing scams reported from 7 April to 7 May 2020, which is 655% more than the monthly average of 20 phishing scam cases reported in the first three months of 2020.
On a period to period comparison, the number of phishing scams increased by 129 cases (or 1613%) to 137 cases in the first four months of 2020, compared to 8 cases in the same period last year.
Members of the public who have fallen victim to such phishing scams would receive e-mails or text messages purportedly sent from a company they know or trust such as banks, government agencies, trade unions like NTUC, or companies such as SingPost, StarHub and Netflix. These phishing emails and text messages will usually include fake offers or claims to trick you into clicking on a link. Some of these fake offers or claims include special deals, government payout during the COVID-19 period or outstanding payment for a parcel. Upon clicking on the links, victims will be redirected to fraudulent websites where they will be required to provide their credit/debit card details and a One-Time Password (OTP). Most of the victims only realised that they have been scammed when they discovered unauthorised transactions in their bank accounts for various online purchases or payments made using their credit/debit card.
Members of the public are advised to follow these crime prevention measures:
a) Do not click on URL links provided in unsolicited emails and text messages;
b) Always verify the authenticity of the information with the official website or sources;
c) Never disclose your personal or Internet banking details and OTP to anyone; and
d) Report any fraudulent credit/debit card charges to your bank and cancel your card immediately.
If you wish to provide any information relating to such phishing scam cases, please call the Police hotline at 1800-255-0000, or submit it online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. If you require urgent Police assistance, please dial ‘999’.
You may also call the anti-scam helpline at 1800-722-6688 or visit www.scamalert.sg to seek scam-related advice. Join the ‘Let’s fight scams’ campaign at www.scamalert.sg/fight by signing up as an advocate to receive up-to-date messages and share them with your family and friends. Together, we can help stop scams and prevent our loved ones from becoming the next scam victim.
1. Screengrabs of phishing text messages impersonating SingPost and fraudulent website phishing for credit-card details
2. Phishing e-mail impersonating NTUC
3. Screengrab of phishing text messages impersonating Netflix
4. Screengrab of fraudulent website phishing for credit/debit card details
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
16 May 2020 @ 8:20 PM