Trends and Buzz

Stamping out fraudulent SMS!

SMS_Tricks_s.jpg
8 popular SMS tricks in Beijing Daily Messenger.

According to today's Beijing Daily Messenger, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Information Industry and China Banking Supervision Committee are uniting to fight illegal cell phone SMS. If you receive any illegal SMS information, just dial '110' and report it. The police will stop mobile communication services for the suspects, and their bank account will be frozen.

Wu Heping, the spokesman from the Ministry of Pulic Security said, the number of Chinese cell phone users has already reached 335 million, and it may be over 400 million within this year. Everyday 500 million SMS are sent out nationwide.

The current situation is that every cell phone user receives fraudulent SMS. Beijing Daily Messenger lists the eight most popular SMS tricks:

1) "Your friend 13xxxxxxxxx ordered a song for you, please dial 9xxxx to listen." — When you call the number, fraudulent charges are added.

2) Your cell phone rings then stops before you answer. When you dial the number back, you hear a voice saying "Welcome to Hongkong lottery." — This attracts customers for an ilegal lottery.

3) "xx, I am out for business trip now, my cell phone is going to run out of money, please help me to buy a charging card, then SMS me the number and password."

4) "Hello, China Mobile is checking your cell phone's circuit now, please help to keep your phone off for 3 hours." — Your family or friends will be cheated during the time your phone is off.

5) "I am an engineer from xx company, now I will check your cell phone. Please cooperate me by dialing #90 or 90#." — When you dial the number, you might lose your SIM card.

6) If you miss phone calls from numbers starting with 0941 or 0951, a 500 yuan charge will be levied if you call the number back.

7) "You won a lucky draw, the bonus is a car. Please take your ID card and 750 yuan RMB for awarding." — If you follow the directions, they will trap you into handing over money.

8) "Hello, xxx Yuan RMB will be deducted from your credit card. Any questions, please call National Banking Management Center." — A means of credit card fraud.

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