Criminals impersonate companies known in messaging apps to extort victims and clone credit cards
Messaging app scams are increasingly common, and as Easter approaches, scammers have found a new way to trick people through the chocolate scam.
Using famous brands such as Cocoa Show and Kopenhagen, scammers contact via app Like them on WhatsApp and inform that the person has won a basket of chocolates that will be sent to your address.
The problem is that in order to receive the gift, the victim will have to pay a delivery fee. Therefore, scammers send a courier with a card machine to the person’s home and, without the victim noticing, enter high values. The card can also be cloned in some cases. The victim only becomes aware of the scam when they see the account balance or digital card invoice.
In a note, Cacau Show communicated that “it does not require the collection of amounts on delivery”. The company recommends declining delivery attempts for branded items if additional shipping costs apply.. Kopenhagen, in turn, claims to use social networks to warn about the risks of scams.
How to protect yourself?
To avoid falling victim to this type of scam it is important to take some precautions, especially if contacted via messaging apps. Below you will find the main points that deserve attention:
Don’t pay for something free
Companies usually don’t send something for free and charge for it. Therefore, be wary if you have to pay to receive products or rewards that are offered for free.
If in doubt, call the company
If in doubt, look for the companies’ official service channels or try to contact them via social networks. This may be enough to avoid falling into scams, such as the chocolate one.
Do not provide your data
Brands do not request financial data through WhatsApp. Therefore, never enter personal data or click on suspicious links, even if you know who sent them.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
