Telkom warns against fraudsters
Telkom has issued a warning against criminals who are targeting unsuspecting customers with the aim of defrauding them of cash or acquiring personal details.
“The latest modus operandi that fraudsters are using to target our customers and the public at large, involves a phishing scam via email,” said Thokozani Mvelase, Telkom’s Group Executive for Enterprise Risk Management.
“These illegal activities have been going on for quite some time. After warning the public about them previously, we noticed a significant drop in Telkom customers being targeted. However, some of these activities seem to be on the rise again and we hope that the public will be extremely vigilant about any attempts to defraud them,” he said.
The scam that has recently surfaced sees fraudsters e-mailing Telkom’s customers the following:
Attention
Notification from Telkom SA hard office Account department, Our apologies for the inconveniences, kindly send us your last three months Telkom bills. As there is a mistake over billing (charge) some of our clients.
As well state your last payment paid to us.
Kindly scan the copy and send it back to us by e-mail, if on your mail forward it to us.
Thanks For Your Corporation
Jabulane Mabuza.
The emails appear to be sent from the following email address “[email protected]”, the company said, saying further that investigations have revealed that the said e-mail address used by the hoaxer is linked to a private “Gmail” email account that does not belong to Telkom.
The company said it will investigate further to locate the actual source of these fraudulent emails.
“I urge the public to be extremely vigilant if they receive e-mails similar to these, especially if it is followed up with phone calls requesting banking details for refund purposes,” Mvelase said.
Customers must be very suspicious if they receive unsolicited calls or emails, Telkom said.
“Usernames and passwords are unique and must be kept confidential at all times. Otherwise, you run the risk of bandwidth theft or outside parties accessing your emails. This becomes extremely serious if access to your mailing system is abused for fraudulent or criminal ends,” Mvelase said.
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