Results 1 to 2 of 2

Thread: Phone spoofing on its way to South Africa

  1. #1
    Site Caretaker Dave A's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Durban, South Africa
    Posts
    22,648
    Thanks
    3,304
    Thanked 2,676 Times in 2,257 Posts
    Blog Entries
    12

    Phone spoofing on its way to South Africa

    A new identity-theft scam that uses "phone spoofing" will be hitting South Africa soon, Visa International announced last week, warning consumers to be wary of giving their personal details to outside sources.

    This new scam, reliant on cellphone technology, cons users into disclosing their personal information to individuals whom they believe to be representatives of official financial institutions.

    Through the scam, con artists are able to tap into the phone books and caller identities on users' cellphones and change or modify information to suit their needs. Not only can they alter the details of existing contacts, but they can also create new caller IDs, such as a contact called "Bank", on a user's cellphone.

    When the con artist then calls the user, the false name will show up as the caller ID. If users are caught unaware, they may not hesitate to answer private questions about their bank account or identity details, Visa spokesperson Beverley Houston said.

    The scam, already running in the United States, is expected to filter into South Africa in a few months' time. "Fraud tends to pass on," Houston said.
    full story from M&G here

    As always, be careful what details you give out over the phone, internet etc. There is one part of the article that really troubles me, though.
    "It is important to emphasise that no bank in the whole world will ever ask you for your personal identity number or bank details, because they already have it … We will never phone you for personal details unless you initiate something with the bank," Standard Bank's Pather added.
    Absolute BS. Standard Bank has quite often used my date of birth and ID number in phonecalls to confirm my identity when I call them. And have phoned to confirm details on occassion too! Admittedly not my ID number, but things like telephone numbers, addresses and email address.
    Last edited by Dave A; 14-Apr-07 at 11:00 AM.

  2. #2
    Email problem stephanfx's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Posts
    203
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
    I am with FNB and they ask me for Address, phone number and such, though they did once ask my ID, but that was for personal loan. Other wise I just ignore the bank until I request something or other from them.

Similar Threads

  1. A NEW BUSINESS CONCEPT FOR SOUTH AFRICA
    By Ashley Fischer in forum MLM Industry Forum
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 21-Mar-08, 09:55 AM
  2. South Africa......Crime etc
    By Chris Bouwer in forum General Chat Forum
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 07-Apr-07, 09:06 AM
  3. Social security for South Africa
    By duncan drennan in forum South African Politics Forum
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 07-Mar-07, 07:36 PM
  4. The Great South Africa
    By Ronny_Kuipers in forum South African Politics Forum
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 08-Feb-07, 07:04 AM

Tags for this Thread

Did you like this article? Share it with your favourite social network.

Did you like this article? Share it with your favourite social network.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •