Stay Vigilant: Understanding and Protecting Yourself from Scams

Scams in today's digital ecosystem have become increasingly sophisticated, targeting various platforms. From phishing emails to fraudulent phone calls, scammers constantly evolve tactics to deceive unsuspecting victims. It is crucial to remain vigilant and understand how to protect yourself from falling prey to scams.

Real-World Examples

We have observed concerning scam trends targeting users in different regions:

• Hong Kong: Scammers posing as WeChat customer service representatives have deceived individuals by making fake phone calls and sending phishing SMS messages to conduct false payment claims and "million dollar guarantee" deception.
• Singapore: Impersonation of staff from services like Tencent, WeChat, or UnionPay through fake phone calls with false claims of expiring free trials of a subscription to conduct fraudulent monetary transfers.

Let's Understand Scam Tactics

Scammers also often employ a variety of tactics to trick individuals. Some of the most prevalent include:

• “Million Dollar Guarantee”: Weixin Pay (CNY wallet) provides its services for free to all users. Any communication claiming otherwise, such as requests for renewal, activation, or cancellation fees, particularly through unsolicited 'customer service' contact, should be considered fraudulent.
• False Payment Claims: Scammers might claim that users have activated certain payment insurance or asset management services, which incur monthly fees unless canceled, or that a service is about to expire and requires immediate payment to avoid affecting credit ratings. They often create a false sense of urgency to pressure into acting quickly.
• Impersonation: Scammers will pose as trusted entities like banks, government agencies, well-known companies, or someone you trust, often using spoofed contact information. They may ask for money or personal information, or to click on a malicious link.
• Phishing: Involves sending deceptive messages or creating fake websites to frame an 'official message' to trick individuals into revealing personal information such as passwords, credit card numbers, or bank information
• Romance: To gain trust, scammers will feign emotional promises by showing interest and creating fake online personas, often using AI-generated photos or even deepfake videos. The aim is to evoke emotions and confidence, which leads to requests for money or personal information.

Protect Yourself from Scams

Here are steps you can take to protect yourself:

• Secure your account
  • Use a strong and unique password, including numbers, symbols, and upper and lowercase letters.
  • Enable a two-factor authentication or use a password manager to store your passwords securely.
• Be careful what you click on
  • Be wary of links or attachments in emails or messages if they come from unknown senders.
  • Hover over links to see the actual URL before clicking.
  • Do not download apps or attachments from unofficial sources.
• Be suspicious of unsolicited contact
  • Be cautious if you receive an unexpected phone call, email, or message asking for personal information or money. Only provide sensitive personal or financial information if you have independently verified the source through official channels. If in doubt, contact the organization directly using contact information from their official website or app.
• Keep your software and device up to date
  • Protect against known vulnerabilities that scammers may exploit by installing the latest security updates for your operating system.
• Check for spelling and grammar mistakes
  • Check for errors in the message or email addresses or company information the scammers claim to represent, as scammers will often make mistakes.
• Educate yourself and others
  • Stay informed about the latest scam tactics. Awareness is a powerful tool in the fight against scams.

If you suspect a scam or have fallen victim, report it immediately to:

• WeChat Help Center: Link

Together, we can work to combat scams and protect individuals from falling prey to deceptive practices.