Criminals are targeting Telkom customers with the aim of either defrauding them of cash, or acquiring personal details and Internet usernames and passwords.
Thokozani Mvelase, Telkom executive for enterprise risk management, says: "The latest modus operandi that fraudsters are using to target our customers and the public at large, involves a phishing scam via e-mail."
Mvelase says the criminal activities have been going on for "quite some time". After having previously warned the public about the e-mail scam, he says, Telkom noticed a significant drop in customers being targeted. But the activities are once again on the rise and Telkom says the public needs to be vigilant.
Verbatim e-mail
The scam that has recently surfaced sees fraudsters sending the following e-mail:
"Attention
Notification from Telkom SA hard office Account department, Our apologies for the inconveniences, kindly send us your last three months Telkom bills. As there is a mistake over billing (charge) some of our clients.
As well state your last payment paid to us.
Kindly scan the copy and send it back to us by e-mail, if on your mail forward it to us.
Thanks For Your Corporation
Jabulane Mabuza." (sic)
Telkom says the e-mails appear to be sent from account.department@telkom.co.za - which the company's investigations revealed is linked to a private Gmail account not belonging to Telkom. "The company will investigate further to locate the actual source of these fraudulent e-mails."
Mvelase urges the public to be "extremely vigilant" if e-mails similar to that above is received - especially if it is followed up with phone calls requesting banking details for refund purposes.
"Telkom does not conduct its business this way. We would never ask customers to send us their statements - we have that already. Also, reimbursements are not credited into our customers' bank accounts. In the event of a credit, Telkom passes it on to the customers' telephone account for the next month," he explains.
Mvelase emphasises that customers must be suspicious if they receive unsolicited calls or e-mails. "Remember, usernames and passwords are unique and must be kept confidential at all times. Otherwise, you run the risk of bandwidth theft or outside parties accessing your e-mails. This becomes extremely serious if access to your mailing system is abused for fraudulent or criminal ends."
He says if members of the public are suspicious or unsure as to whether requests are legitimate, they should contact Telkom's fraud hotline on 0800 124 000, or their nearest police station.
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