Police Advisory On Phishing Scams Involving Emails And Text Messages

September 20, 2020

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The Police have continued to see an increase in phishing scams cases involving emails and text messages, with more than 220 reports lodged since January 2020.

Victims of such phishing scams received emails or text messages by scammers impersonating entities the victims know or trust, such as banks, government agencies, trade unions, or companies such as SingPost, StarHub, Netflix, PayPal and DHL. These emails and text messages make fake offers or claims to trick recipients into clicking on an URL link. Such fake offers or claims include outstanding payment for parcel delivery, disruptions to services or subscriptions, refunds, or promotions. Upon clicking on the URL links, victims will be redirected to fraudulent websites where they are tricked into providing their credit/debit card details and One-Time Password (OTP). Victims only realised that they have been scammed when they discovered unauthorised transactions made using their credit/debit card.

As year-end online shopping events such as the “eGSS 2020” approaches, members of the public may be exposed to such phishing scams as they come across fake online offers or expect deliveries for their online purchases. Members of the public are advised to follow these crime prevention measures:

Do not click on URL links provided in unsolicited emails and text messages;
Always verify the authenticity of the information with the official website or sources;
Never disclose your personal or Internet banking details and OTP to anyone; and
Report any fraudulent credit/debit card charges to your bank and cancel your card immediately.

For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Hotline at 1800-722-6688. Anyone with information on such scams may call the Police hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. Together, we can help stop scams and prevent our loved ones from falling prey to scams.

Annex A

Images of Scam Emails, SMS and Phishing Websites

Image 1: Screenshot of phishing SMS directing victims to phishing website