The latest in scamming trend involves the despicable criminals going through your trash and getting your data from delivery packages.
So, if you shop online often, you may want to read on.
Police warn of new technique
The police, in a statement, has warned that scammers are now collecting personal information such as name, address, phone number and others from letters and delivery packages thrown into the trash.
"The suspect will then call and harass victims using different numbers with the intention to get money.
"The suspect goes to the houses of victims, pretending to be from delivery companies and asking family members at home to make payment as the products delivered have not been paid for yet," Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Comm Datuk Zainuddin Yaacob said in the statement
Not only do the scammers pretend to be from delivery companies, they also ask victims to scan bar codes as proof of delivery to make it seem more believable.
Zainuddin said that although the police has not received any police reports of such incidents, investigations will be conducted under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which carries a ten-year prison sentence and caning.
Keep your data safe at all times
It's super annoying that we have to think so much about even throwing trash, but there are many out there who are just waiting to steal from others.
Here are some of the ways you can keep your data safe especially if you give them to third parties.
- Make sure you black out or shred parts of packages, letters and any other items that has your personal information.
- If you're not home to receive a package, let those at home know details such as the name of the delivery company, when they are expected to arrive, if the items are already paid for and other relevant information.
- Make sure you only buy from trusted sellers. Don't give your information to any sellers you find online without verifying if the companies are legit.
- Always change all your passwords every three months, at least.
- If someone asks you for your personal information including your address, phone number, IC number, place of work etc., ask why the need the information and how it will be used.
- If someone calls you claiming to be from banks, the police, post office or other places and ask you for unusual information such as your personal details, OTP or TAC etc., never give out those information. Hang up and call the relevant departments to verify if they were the ones who called you.