Smartphone users who have installed Viber app on their phones are being urged not to get too excited with calls or messages claiming that they have won a lottery.
This advice comes from the Consumer Council of Fiji and Vodafone Fiji after complaints were received from consumers regarding the scams.
In a media statement yesterday council chief executive officer Seema Shandil said the council had received a complaint from a consumer who claimed to have received calls and messages on Viber claiming to have won $50,000 cash from Vodafone Fiji.
Vodafone Fiji’s Head of eCommerce Shailendra Prasad said since Viber was an internet based Over the Top (OTT) service, and not a service provided by Vodafone, consumers who subscribe to this app must be aware of the risks involved and use it with extreme caution.
Mr Prasad said these were not Vodafone run promotions and should be ignored and reported to authorities immediately.
Ms Shandil said phishing scams such as this were not new in Fiji. “…however, now especially in times of financial hardships resulting from COVID-19, these scammers tend to impersonate prominent and legitimate organisations to obtain private information of vulnerable Fijians to swindle their hard-earned money,” she said.
“In such instances, consumers must not give their bank account details, PINs, passport numbers, or any other personal financial information via these scam messages or calls,” she said.
The council has urged consumers to report the matter to the council via its toll-free number 155 or Vodafone Fiji’s Customer Care number 123 if they receive such calls or messages.
