Police warn of ‘phishing’ scam on social media

The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) has issued a public alert about a ‘phishing’ scam on social media.

“It has been brought to the attention of law enforcement that the WhatsApp accounts of several persons have been compromised,” the police said in a release.

“In some cases, hackers claim victims have won a sum of money and request personal information such as names, addresses, and bank account numbers to facilitate a transfer. In other instances, victims are instructed to send money via “Zelle”,” added the release that is dated November 2, 2024.

The police notes that according to Google, “Zelle” is “a fast and easy way to send and receive money with friends, family, and others you trust, even if they bank somewhere different than you. All you need is your recipient’s email address or U.S. mobile phone number, and money will be sent directly from your account to theirs in minutes. No account numbers are shared.”

This phishing scam, the police pointed out, is just one of many techniques cybercriminals use to steal personal information and commit fraud.

“Such malicious tactics, including social engineering, malware, and impersonation, are designed to exploit unsuspecting users. The RSVGPF, therefore, strongly urges the public to remain vigilant and exercise caution when using social media applications.”

To reduce the risk of falling victim to these scams, the police urge that the following measures be undertaken:

1. Avoid providing personal information such as your name, passwords, or account details to anyone who does not have a legitimate need for it.

2. Use strong, unique passwords to secure your devices, emails, and social media accounts.

3. Report any suspicious activities immediately to law enforcement or your service provider.

4. If you have doubts about the identity of the person you are communicating with, ask them a question that only the two of you would know, and assess their response. If their answer raises further suspicion, or you are unsure, stop communicating with the person altogether.

5. Exercise caution when clicking links, even if they are sent by someone you know, as this could compromise your device and allow sensitive information to be stolen through potential exploits. Always verify the source and intent of the link before clicking.

The RSVGPF is urging citizens to, “Let us work together to protect ourselves and our loved ones from these malicious activities”. They also are urging all to have a safe and incident-free Yuletide Season.