Russians advised on the potential risks of disclosing sensitive information and using inappropriate language when communicating with scammers
In a recent public address, Alexei Ershov, Deputy Director of the Science-Education Centre of the Federal Tax Service of Russia and Bauman Moscow State Technical University, highlighted the importance of safeguarding sensitive personal data from potential scammers.
Ershov emphasised the danger of sharing codes from SMS and banking messages, and warned that words of confirmation like "true", "agree", "confirm", and "transfer" can be risky in conversations. He also advised citizens to be vigilant and not share personal data, particularly in the light of a new scam scheme on Telegram.
The technology of deepfakes was another topic of discussion, with Ershov stating that a primitive voice forgery can be created in as little as 3-5 minutes of recording, while a realistic copy requires 15-30 minutes or more. He also mentioned that creating a video forgery requires significantly more source material.
Ershov strongly advised against sharing sensitive information with potential scammers, such as financial information like bank account numbers and credit card details, identification documents like passport numbers and government-issued IDs, personal identifiers like Social Security numbers and tax IDs, login credentials, contact information, and sensitive personal data like health or family information.
He also urged citizens not to confirm anything suspicious and to hang up the call at the slightest doubt. Disclosure of such information, Ershov explained, can give scammers confidence in the success of their schemes.
For information verification, Ershov suggested using official banking apps or visiting institutions personally. However, he did not repeat his earlier emphasis on the danger of sharing sensitive information in this paragraph.
It's always important to verify the authenticity of requests for personal information and to be cautious when sharing sensitive data online or offline. By following these guidelines, individuals can protect themselves from potential scams and identity theft.
In the context of personal-finance, Ershov advised against sharing sensitive information like bank account numbers and credit card details with potential scammers, especially in light of new scam schemes on platforms such as Telegram. He also warned that technology like deepfakes, capable of creating realistic voice forgeries, can pose a risk to personal-finance safety.
