SANDAKAN: The Office of ADUN Tanjong Papat is reminding the public to remain alert against the rise of sophisticated scams, particularly those involving phone calls from individuals posing as representatives of telecommunications companies.
Recently, a local individual became a victim of such a scam after receiving a call from someone claiming to be a telecommunications employee.
The caller presented a special service plan at a reduced rate and requested the resident’s credit card information for “updating purposes.”
Additionally, the victim was asked to provide one-time passwords (OTPs) received via SMS, leading to significant financial losses.
Tanjung Papat assemblyman Datuk Frankie Poon Ming Fung highlights that this incident serves as a crucial reminder for everyone to be cautious about sharing personal or financial information over the phone.
The public is encouraged to follow these safety measures:
Avoid Sharing Personal Information Over the Phone: Legitimate banks and telecommunications companies will never request OTPs or credit card details via phone calls.
Confirm the Caller’s Identity: Before divulging any information, verify the caller’s identity by reaching out to the official contact number of the company in question.
Report Suspicious Calls Promptly: If you suspect you have been targeted by a scam or receive a dubious call, report it to the police immediately for appropriate action.
In light of this, Frankie Poon urges all residents to stay vigilant and protect their personal information.
“By exercising caution and working together, we can mitigate the risk of scams that threaten our community,” he stated.
