Hello everyone! This is Shemihaza, your guardian (sentinel). A quick question: have you ever received an email or message on your smartphone or PC that made you think, 'Hmm, is this really from the sender?' Lately, these 'suspicious' messages have become incredibly sophisticated, making it almost impossible to distinguish them from genuine ones, and these scams are relentless. Today, I'm going to tell you all about the latest tactics of dangerous 'phishing scams' and how to protect your precious self.
The Evolving Tactics of Phishing Scams
- ▸① Impersonating major corporations or public institutions to incite anxiety: Scammers pretend to be famous e-commerce sites like Amazon or Apple, banks, credit card companies, or even public agencies such as the tax office or National Tax Agency. They send messages that stir up anxiety, claiming things like 'There's a problem with your account,' 'You have unpaid fees,' or 'You have a tax refund.' They then rush you into taking action, implying severe consequences if you don't proceed quickly, and attempt to redirect you to fake websites.
- ▸② Fake SMS messages disguised as 'delivery notifications' from courier services: You might receive fake SMS messages claiming to be from delivery companies like Sagawa Express or Yamato Transport, stating 'We tried to deliver your package, but you were not home.' These messages prompt you to click on a URL, leading you to a very convincing fake website or attempting to install malicious apps on your device.
- ▸③ New scams exploiting legitimate transfer functions: Recently, there's been an increase in scams that abuse the legitimate transfer functions of payment apps, prompting users to directly send money. They create anxiety by impersonating failed card payments or unpaid utility bills, and then encourage you to make a transfer.
Checkpoints to Protect Your Information
- ✓Check if you are easily clicking links in emails or SMS messages.
- ✓Even if it's a notification from an official service, always access the official website or official app yourself to confirm the information.
- ✓Check the sender's address and display name for any suspicious parts, and look for unnatural Japanese or typos.
- ✓Suspect any message that rushes you, such as 'Act by today' or 'Within X hours,' as a scam, as they aim to prevent calm judgment.
- ✓Never enter or reply with sensitive personal information, such as passwords, credit card details, or bank account PINs, via email or message.
Where to Seek Help When in Trouble
If you feel you might have fallen victim to a scam, please don't hesitate to seek advice immediately. If you've entered credit card or bank account information, contact your card company or bank at once to suspend usage or change your password. Depending on the situation, it's also crucial to consult the following helplines. Calm and swift action is key to minimizing damage.
Consumer Hotline: 188 (no area code)
Police Consultation Service: #9110 (no area code)