M&M L4 Act 4 - Test your scam alertness

1. What is the first thing you should do when you realise you have been scammed?

• Stop all contact with the scammer

• Call the police

• Report to Cyber999

Answer explanation

The correct answer is A.

As soon as you find out that you have been scammed, stop all contact with the scammer. Hang up the phone and block the scammer from contacting you. Block other calls that may be other members of the syndicate. Some scammers even use overseas numbers to call you after you have blocked the number they used to call you. If you are the victim of a financial scam, credit card scam or identity theft, contact your bank or credit card company immediately and ask them to freeze your accounts and block your credit card.

2. Which of the following is NOT a common feature of a scam?

• Unexpected contact

• Offers that seem too good to be true

• You are given plenty of time to make a decision

Answer explanation

The correct answer is C.

Scammers usually make attractive offers through contact that you did not expect. They insist on a quick response so that you do not have time to think things through or talk to other people for advice. Do not panic or follow the instructions given by the scammers – call the police, bank or government agency first using a number from a trusted source.

3. Who is most likely to be scammed?

• Senior citizens

• Bank customers

• Anyone can be a victim

Answer explanation

The correct answer is C.

Different scams target different groups of people. “Romance scams” target women, especially single women. Get-rich-quick investment scams target people who are greedy in wanting to make money quickly. Job scams target teenagers and young people looking for better-paying jobs abroad.

4. True or false: Scammers always ask you for money.

• True – that’s how you know it’s a scam

• False - sometimes they ask you to receive money in your bank account and then forward the money to them.

• False – scammers never ask you for money

Answer explanation

The correct answer is B. Sometimes a scammer may ask you to open an account to receive and transfer the proceeds of crime without your knowledge. Even if you (the “mule account” holder) is not aware of what the scammers are doing with your account, you could go to jail or be fined, or both, for money laundering. So be smart, don’t be a “mule” (keldai).

5. What can you do to prevent yourself from being scammed when someone calls you and claims to be from a bank, company or government agency?

• Ask the caller a lot of questions

• Take down the caller’s name. Call back after getting an official number from a trusted source.

• Stay on the line when the caller asks you to hold on while he or she transfers you to another agency, for instance, a police station

Answer explanation

The correct answer is B.

To confirm that a caller is really from the company or agency they claim, take down their name (even if it is a fake name) and call back the company or agency using a publicly listed number from a trusted source. Ask if there is such a person working there and if the matter they are calling about is true. If the caller asks you to hang on while he/she transfers you to another government agency because the problem involves this other agency such as the police, hang up immediately. Scammers work as part of a syndicate and the call will be transferred to another member of the syndicate.

6. Why is it hard for some people to recognise when they are being scammed?

• They are hungry for money

• They don’t understand how the Internet and social media work

• Scammers go to great lengths to build trust and appear legitimate

Answer explanation

The correct answer is C. It can be hard to recognise a scam because scammers make great efforts at making something seem like the real thing. They are also very good at playing on people’s fears, insecurities and desires.

7. New scams keep appearing. The best way to protect yourself is to:

• Understand the tactics scammers use

• Keep changing passwords for your online bank accounts

• Get a second opinion before buying anything expensive or online

Answer explanation

The correct answer is A. Although it is hard to keep up to date with scams, the best way to protect yourself is to learn the common features of scams and always check trusted sources, such as Bank Negara and the Securities Commission alert lists, for investment-related scams.  

8. How can you spot a fake website?

• Check the URL. There should be a padlock symbol on the address bar

• The URL should start with ‘https://’

• All of the above

Answer explanation

The correct answer is C. A fake website will have a similar name and appearance to an official website. Scammers use the fake website to trick you into providing sensitive information or lead you to download ransomware or malware. Beware of forms that ask for personal details that no bank or credible organisation will ask you to reveal, such as the PIN number for your ATM/debit/credit card. Think twice before you click on any link or open suspicious-looking emails.