Residents of Astana alerted about possible counter manipulation scam
In the bustling city of Astana, residents are being warned about a new scam that is targeting them. The scam involves scammers posing as employees of utility services like "Astana-REK" and "Astana Su Arnaýsý".
The scammers are convincing victims to withdraw money from their bank accounts and transfer it to a "reserve account" or take out a credit on a "secure account". They claim that this will protect the victim's funds, but in reality, their actions are aimed at gaining access to bank cards and accounts to transfer money to their own accounts.
One of the tactics used by these scammers is asking victims for SMS codes, claiming it is to prevent credit registration. However, sharing SMS codes can provide scammers with access to bank cards and accounts, leading to potential financial loss and data breach. Sharing SMS codes over the phone is a potential risk that residents should avoid.
Astana police strongly advise against sharing SMS codes with anyone claiming to be from a utility service. Officials from legitimate organizations never ask for SMS codes over the phone. If you have doubts, contact the relevant organization's support service directly.
To protect themselves from these scams, Astana residents can follow these key precautions:
- Never share SMS confirmation codes or one-time passwords (OTPs) related to payments or account verification with anyone. Legitimate utility providers will not ask for such codes directly via unsolicited calls or messages.
- Verify the identity of callers or message senders claiming to represent utility companies by contacting the official customer service numbers of Astana-REK or Astana Su Arnaýsý before taking any action.
- Make utility payments only through official channels, such as the verified websites, authorized payment centers, or recognized retail partners. Avoid paying via links or payment requests received from unknown sources.
- Be cautious of unsolicited messages or calls requesting personal, banking, or payment information. Treat them as potential phishing or fraud attempts.
While specific recent directives or public warnings about these scams were not found in the current search results, standard security practices against such scams apply widely. Given that authorities in Kazakhstan are actively working to protect consumers in other sectors and financial institutions are enhancing fraud detection and consumer rights protection, vigilance towards utility scams is similarly crucial.
Residents can also stay informed through official city administration communications, which are engaged in digital transformations and may issue alerts or updates regarding fraud prevention. If suspicious activity is encountered, reporting to local consumer protection agencies or police is recommended to assist in combating these scams.
