Review on a post on Legal from E-Commerce blog.

Article from e-commerze.blogspot.com

Another SMS scam

After the recent SMS scam attack on Digi subscribers, now is the turn for Maxis subscribers to experience the similar SMS scam.

Subscribers will be informed through SMSes that they had won some cash worth a few thousands from Maxis. In order to withdraw the money, they were required to call a foreign 15 digits phone number to provide then with the bank account number.

A Maxis spokeperson beside denying their involvement, also reminded the subscribers to ignore SMSes with foreign or weird codes.

Source: TheStar, 14th July 2007.

Personal Opinion:
Seems like the SMS scams is getting bolder and innovative. A lot of new tricks are being implemented to trick the subcribers to disclose some crucial financial and personal information. How could the government and telcos help to stop this scam from spreading on? May be they can consider the actions taken by SC in closing down the illegal fund investment websites - blocking all the weird or foreign codes? The government also should control the licenses for mobile services operators which are related to SMS.

Source: http://ecommerze.blogspot.com/search/label/Legal

Comments:

The SMSs scam has been in circulation in the past. They have misled many mobile subscribers, not just Digi, but now is the turn for Maxis/Hotlink customers. Maxis takes the issue of Spam and Hoax SMS very seriously. But why the public still get tricked after all these examples have been happen and even publish in the newspaper to the public. Furthermore, Maxis themselves have also advice the public to ignore it such message in ‘The Star’ (14 July, 2007). The most probably reason is because the cupidity of human. Seems the prizes for them are so attractive, they might go and try to see whether they are really such a ‘lucky star’ and finally get tricked. When receiving such SMSs, please be sane. Straight away think yourself on few questions:

• Why does the number seem like an overseas number?

• Did I join any competition?

• Why doesn’t it address me by name?

• Why do I have to call them? They should call me right?

• Why mix up English with BM? Does not seem professional.

If you just feel that the SMS is not right, just ignore and delete the message. The public must wise up to such offerings.