New SMS scam targets e-trade
2010-10-11 21:03
Johannesburg - A new SMS scam targeting second-hand goods sellers has surfaced, the Wireless Application Service Providers' Association of SA (Waspa) warned on Monday.
Waspa committee member Casper de Villiers said scammers would offer to buy goods from second-hand sellers.
They would then use a commercial SMS messaging service to send the sellers an apparent legitimate confirmation that they had deposited the money for the goods into the sellers' bank accounts.
They then insist on taking the goods from the seller, who soon discovers that no deposit was ever made to his bank account.
"Unfortunately, it is all too easy for scammers to create and send an SMS that is a convincing replica of the ones that your bank might send when someone makes a deposit in your account," he said.
The scams target people selling goods in newspaper classifieds and online services. The scammers operate mostly on the weekends and in the evenings.
"We recommend not releasing the goods you are selling until you see the deposit reflected in your bank account when you look at your statements online or using cellphone banking," said De Villiers.
He said Waspa and its members were taking a proactive approach to fighting this abuse of commercial SMS messaging platforms.
"Waspa urges any member of the public who has fallen prey to such a scam to immediately report the matter at the nearest police station where they will be able to open a case."
- SAPA