Protect Yourself from Impersonation Scams- Verify Before You Send Money

Suva,

In today's digital age, we are more connected than ever, but this connectivity comes with its own set of challenges. One pressing concern is the rise of impersonation scams, where fraudsters send emails and messages pretending to be someone you know, claiming to be in dire situations and asking for money via mobile payment services. To safeguard yourself and your finances, it is crucial to exercise caution and verify the person's identity before sending any funds.

Impersonation scams can take various forms, including emails, text messages, or social media messages from individuals claiming to be friends, family members, or acquaintances. They often create a sense of urgency, making it seem like immediate financial assistance is required because they are in dire need.

To protect yourself and your hard-earned money always stay alert.  Be cautious when receiving unsolicited messages from someone asking for financial assistance, especially if the request is unexpected or seems out of character. Verify the identity of the person making the request. Call them back using a known and trusted phone number to confirm the situation. If the number of the person is different from their usual number, it must immediately arouse suspicion.

Scammers often play on emotions by creating urgent situations. Some scammers have even pretended to be involved in an accident or having a family emergency to make the situation desperate so you feel merciful towards them. Take your time to investigate their request thoroughly before you send any money. 

Never share sensitive personal information, such as your PIN and OTP or identification documents, without first verifying the request is legitimate. If you decide to help someone, use secure payment services and avoid sharing your payment information through unverified channels. Spread awareness about impersonation scams among your family, friends, and colleagues to help protect them from falling victim to similar schemes.

Impersonation scams can have devastating financial and emotional consequences. By taking precautions and verifying requests before sending money, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from falling prey to fraudsters.

Vodafone is making M-PAiSA users aware of this as some people have been targeted through impersonation scams requesting money to be sent via M-PAiSA.

If you suspect that you have been targeted by an impersonation scam or have encountered fraudulent activity, report immediately to the police of the service provider so that awareness can be made to protect others from falling victim to such scams.