Phishing scams may occur when scammers trick users into providing sensitive information such as card details via fraudulent means. Here's how these scams work:
- The Bait: Scammers create fake advertisements on social media or search engines, leading unsuspecting users to counterfeit e-commerce websites mimicking legitimate platforms.
- Data Phishing: Victims are prompted to enter their card details to complete a "purchase," where scammers steal this information. They may even display a fake two-factor authentication (2FA) confirmation page to appear secure.
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Card Exploitation: Scammers use the stolen details to link the victim’s card to mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay. Submitting card information unknowingly grants scammers permission to add the card to their device.
Note: YouTrip does not send OTP for transaction confirmations. Instead, you must swipe within the app to approve 3DS authorisation.
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Rapid Transactions: Once linked, scammers use the wallets to make unauthorised purchases, often depleting accounts within minutes. Most of these transactions originate overseas.
What are the red flags to watch out for:
- Redirecting social media ads that lead to external websites.
- Deals that are too good to be true, such as massive discounts.
- Unsecured websites (missing "https://").
- Suspicious URLs with spelling errors or irregularities.
- Urgent prompts creating pressure to complete transactions quickly.
How you can protect yourself:
- Stay Alert: Read OTP messages carefully to ensure they match the action you're performing.
- Verify Before You Buy: Confirm the legitimacy of websites before entering payment details.
- Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly check for suspicious activity. YouTrip sends instant alerts for transactions or critical actions like attempts to add your card to a mobile wallet.
- Enable Security Features: Set transaction limits and push notifications for real-time updates.
- Think Before Sharing: Never share your OTP or card details, even with someone claiming to be from a trusted organisation.
If you're sure that you did not make the transaction, temporarily lock your card using the YouTrip app and contact us via fraud-reporting@you.co immediately or give us a call at +65 6904 9334 instead.