There is alarm over the new “Ciao” scam. Here’s how the scam that is affecting several users works and how to avoid falling into the trap.
The world of new technologies is a space that offers countless possibilities and which, it is no mystery to anyone, has profoundly changed our lives. For example, it is almost impossible today to think of moving in the complicated and hyper-technological society of 2024 without having a mobile phone.
On the other hand, it’s not all rosy. Several years ago the mass mediaologist Marshall McLuhan had prophesied the advent of the global village which would interconnect peoples, launching them towards a radiant future of peace. Needless to say this utopia has given way to a decidedly less prosaic reality of things and infinitely more dangerous.
New technologies have indeed united users from one part of the world to another but they also opened up endless prairies to internet piratesready to exploit the potential of cyberspace to carry out their scams against a multitude of users who struggle to find the right countermeasures. The latest example is the so-called “Hello” scam, which is claiming more and more victims. Here’s how it works.
“Hello” scam, how the latest deception by cybercriminals works
The latest scam invented by the fervent mind of cyber scammers travels, as often happens, through mobile phones. The hello scam is nothing more than a form of phishing with which attackers aim to gain possession of the identity of their intended victim. We must be careful if we receive a particular message.
Maximum alert therefore in the event that one of our contacts were to send us a message containing a link and with a text like this: «Hi, I sent you a code by mistake, could you send it back to me?». This is a trap set by scammers. By replying to the message we risk having our data stolen and our identity stolen.
As the postal police explains, the code sent by web criminals allows them to take over your WhatsApp account and to use the instant messaging app to continue with their fraudulent activity. By using the victim’s telephone number, in fact, “criminals could have access to the contacts saved in the address book and thus trigger a sort of chain letter”the police warn.
So how can you defend yourself? The postal police reminds you that the codes received via text message are personal and must never be shared with anyone, not even if they are friends or family who ask us. Another thing to remember is never click on any links in messages. It is then advisable enable “two-step verification” from the app settings.
