Mobile Money Month: MTN Ghana Sensitizes Communities On MoMo Fraud

August 19, 2020 Leave a comment

As Technology advances, electronic fraud is however on the increase for which reason MTN Ghana is embarking on community sensitization to sensitize communities and of-course, the general public to stay alert to help combat e-fraud, especially, mobile money(MoMo) fraud in the mobile money months i.e. August and September.

In a studio discussion with the MoMo payment controller in the eastern region Benjamin Abobi on Radio 1 100.7FM on Tuesday, 18th August 2020, he disclosed that the company knows that MTN MoMo system is secured but unfortunately customers still get defrauded. In view of this, he outlined various schemes implored by the fraudsters to dupe clients.

Some scenarios used by Fraudsters are as follows:

• Fraudsters calling victims and posing as MTN officials to assist with Customer’s pin reset

• Fraudsters calling you to reverse a wrong transfer made to them.

• Fraudster calling and playing recordings that mimic’s MTN’s call center response to customers’ request etc

• Fraudsters sending customers messages that their numbers have been blocked

• Fraudsters send message that you have won a promotion

• Customers are to be cautious of money doubling schemes on radio and TV.

• Some fraudsters also take shots of a merchants transaction log and then call the customers to defraud them based on the information they have on their transaction.

• Some also play with numbers so when you pick they engage you.

That not alone, Benjamin Abobi advised clients to take note of Covid-19 fraud and scams.

“Fraudsters and scammers have increased their activities in defrauding unsuspecting customers more so in this Covid-19 pandemic period by preying on people’s fear and doubt. Here are some of the avenues used by these fraudsters though not limited to mobile money”

Below are some Covid-19 fraud tricks;

• Messages and apps- These scams are increasing and are usually disguised as Covid-19-related messages and apps. Please exercise caution opening text messages, email links, whatsapp links etc

• Some of them send URL links informing customers that MTN is sharing free data. As soon as you click it will take you to a malicious site.

• of the links install malicious software, enabling scammers to find passwords, access email accounts and download personal information such as bank account details. Be vigilant when opening links

• Offers of a ‘coronavirus map’ app -to track the pandemic but rather downloads virus unto your device.

• Phone calls from scammers pretending to be health officials asking for your personal information, or saying they have test results but need your credit card details to process a payment.

Security Tips

• MTN Mobile Money will NOT under any circumstance, ask for customer’s MoMo PIN code.

• MTN Mobile Money staff will not demand money from you to redeem your prize.

• Do not use MoMo PIN for a very long period.

• Change PIN at least every month.

• Customers should protect their pin numbers at all times and change them as soon as they think they have been exposed or are compromised.

Observe the 3 Golden Rules of MoMo

• Do not disclose your MoMo PIN to anyone

• Do not entertain calls or text messages from any number

• Do not allow anyone to do transaction on your behalf, discuss their wallet or respond to any promotion they have not participated in

Phone calls

• MTN officials will ONLY call with the official line 0244300000.

• As already indicated avoid discussing your wallet or any personal details on your phone.

• Hang up and report the number and business name through any of the following;

o Call 100 if you are a subscriber

o Call 114 if you are a merchant or an agent

o Send a Txt to 1515

o Send a Txt 419

Moreover, he used the opportunity to educate the public on how to use MYMTN app and the Ayoba app and ended with entreating their cherished clients to obey the Covid-19 protocols since the globe is not in normal times.