15th July 2020, Kathmandu
Nepal Police has urged everyone to stay vigilant informing about the increasing trend of SMS misuse through applications.
Lately, false information has been circulating through SMS saying that you have been in contact with a person who is positive for Coronavirus. Also, you would be fined for not undergoing a PCR test.
Addressing the fake SMS, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has recently issued a press release. According to the press release, the police investigation has revealed that such misleading SMS’s are sent to mobile phones through applications.
Furthermore, it states that such SMS’s are cheap and accessible. People with criminal mindsets can misuse these applications for fraudulent activities.
Also Read: Please Report any Threats in the name of the Cyber Bureau: Nepal Police
How to Avoid Misleading SMS?
The bureau has also given information on how to avoid the risks of such SMS.
CBI has stated that if one pays attention to the following issues, they can prevent both the cause of crime and the risk of becoming a victim.
Take a look at these guidelines:
- Mobile users have to respond carefully to the Application-to-Person SMS (A2P SMS) or choose to ignore it accordingly.
- Financial and other service providers will never ask you to provide personal details via SMS, so never give away your details via SMS.
- Restrain from clicking on the links received via SMS.
- Don’t let offers such as lottery tickets or discounts tempt you.
- If you receive an SMS with the spoof, immediately inform the police or your telecom service provider.
In most cases, ignorance is bliss. However, ICT Frame urges everyone to remain vigilant and not to hesitate to report such fraudulent activities.
Suggested Reads:
- Security Guidelines for Websites and Apps Issued by Department of IT
- 5 Ways to Detect Scam Emails Amid the Pandemic