"Number verification": fraudsters began to actively deceive Russians according to a new scheme

From mid-April to Fraudsters have become more active in Russia, who, under the guise of a non—existent organization "MNC - Center for Digital Security", offer to "check phone numbers or accounts" for "cyber resistance". Sergey Golovanov, chief expert of Kaspersky Lab, told about the new scheme of the attackers.

According to him, it begins with the fact that scammers are lured by a request to undergo a "diagnosis" allegedly in order to take measures to strengthen protection. Before starting the process, they will be required to enter a phone number, and after the application is allegedly sent for verification.

"It is important to understand that such a mechanism is used to collect contact data and leads to the further development of an attack within the framework of telephone fraud," the Fifth Channel quotes the specialist as saying.

For reliability, scammers carefully work out the design, publish information about common deception schemes and tips on how not to fall for tricks. In addition, they place "official partners" in the form of existing government agencies, banks, including Kaspersky Lab. All this creates a sense of trust and legitimacy.

Having received the data, the attackers launch an attack: they introduce themselves as employees of the "center", government agencies or banks and, under the pretext of verification or "suspicious activity", connect false specialists to the conversation, who convince them of the threat and persuade them to transfer money to their account. According to the expert, criminals are playing on users' sense of fear.

Golovanov recommended changing passwords on your own, checking for external connections and setting up additional security measures.

"This will help reduce risks and avoid situations when the user has to turn to questionable services for diagnostics," the specialist added.

He stressed that such a scheme is effective, fraudsters are actively using it.