Tomorrow, Russians face potential loss of child benefits and payments, according to an expert's explanation.
In recent months, there has been a surge in cyber scams targeting Russians with promises of child benefits, housing certificates, and mortgage assistance. These scams aim to obtain citizens' personal data for potential theft or blackmail. Here are some key precautions to help you avoid falling victim to these scams.
- Verify Official Sources and Avoid Unsolicited Contacts: Scammers often impersonate government agencies offering social benefits or housing support. Always confirm any offer by visiting official government websites or contacting authorized offices directly rather than using phone numbers or links from emails, texts, or social media messages.
- Never Provide Sensitive Personal Information: Legitimate benefits and housing programs do not require you to share full passport details, Social Security numbers, bank account credentials, PINs, or one-time passwords (OTPs) via phone or email. Be wary of any requests to provide such information.
- Be Wary of Requests to Pay Fees or Wire Money Upfront: Scams frequently ask victims to pay "processing fees" or "taxes" in advance or wire money from supposed benefit overpayments. Always verify with official institutions and consult trusted advisors before transferring money.
- Reject Remote Access or Control Requests: Do not allow unknown individuals to remotely access your computer or device, as this can give scammers direct control to steal information or infect your system with malware.
- Watch for Scam Signs in Communication Formats: Be suspicious of official-seeming postcards, emails, or messages offering mortgage assistance or housing certificates, particularly when they come unexpectedly or use urgent language. Scam campaigns using postcards targeting mortgage offers have been reported.
- Check for Inconsistencies or Fabricated Identity Details: Fraudsters sometimes use synthetic identities or stolen data to pose as beneficiaries or officials. Scrutinize names, addresses, and document authenticity carefully if you suspect deceit.
- Report Scams to Authorities and Seek Advice: Notify local consumer protection agencies, law enforcement, or cybercrime units about suspected scams and consult banks or trusted organizations about suspicious transactions.
While the search results do not provide Russia-specific governmental instructions, these general anti-scam strategies align with global best practices for avoiding cybercrime involving government benefits, housing, and mortgages. Awareness and skepticism, combined with verifying official channels, are crucial to prevent falling victim to such targeted scams.
Remember, government payments do not require commissions, and official services do not request data via SMS, messengers, or suspicious websites. If you suspect suspicious activity, contact state organs or your state service operator directly. Stay safe and stay vigilant!
- Be cautious when receiving unsolicited communication about personal finance matters, such as child benefits, housing certificates, or mortgage assistance, as they might be disguised cyber scams.
- In the realm of general-news, be mindful that crime-and-justice issues extend beyond physical threats; cyber scams targeting finance and personal-finance are prevalent, demanding vigilance and informed strategies to protect oneself.
