Sri Lanka CERT has alerted the public to a rising credit card scam involving fake SMS messages and online alerts claiming cards have been suspended due to “suspicious activity.”
Victims are tricked into clicking links and entering personal information, including NIC numbers, after being warned their cards will be cancelled within 24 hours. Scammers then use this data and obtain OTPs to steal funds from accounts, CERT said.
In a separate tactic, fraudsters have reportedly impersonated police officers via WhatsApp video calls, claiming a criminal in custody used the victim’s NIC to commit fraud. Victims are threatened with arrest and pressured into transferring money.
Sri Lanka CERT advises the public not to share sensitive information via unknown links or calls and to verify with banks directly. Suspicious activity should be reported immediately. (Newswire)