Fraudulent phone calls are on the rise and one such common case is when scammers impersonate local authorities such as police, threatening victims with "severe penalties" unless you follow their instructions. To protect against such scams, it is essential to stay informed and vigilant, and avoid falling prey to these manipulative schemes.
What are some common phrases that scammers frequently say?
"Follow what I tell you, or you will be arrested."
"We need your info and credentials for further investigation or verification."
"This is an urgent request for action or your passport will be cancelled."
By creating fear and urgency, scammers will then prompt you to:
- Reveal your personal and private information, which could lead to identity theft.
- Disclose your banking and financial details, and gain access to your hard-earned finances.
- Click on a link to a suspicious website, or to download a mobile app that compromises all information on your device.
Handy tips to avoid falling prey to local authority and law enforcement scammers
- Be skeptical of unsolicited calls - If the number or caller ID looks suspicious, do not answer the phone.
- Verify the caller's identity independently - As for official contact information, or reach out to the police department for confirmation.
- Always remain calm - Avoid panicking when the caller threatens your or ask for an urgent response.
- Do not open any links or apps - Suspicious links and mobile apps from unofficial sources could infect your device with malware.
- Never share your credentials - Avoid giving out financial information, such as your bank account details, passwords or OTP codes over the phone.
- Be cautious of payment requests - Double-check the legitimacy of the caller before making any transactions.
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