PROJECT: HOW TO GET OFF A "SUCKER LIST" - AND STOP REPEATED SCAM ATTEMPTS (PART 2)
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THE PROBLEM DOES NOT NECESSARILY END WHEN THE FIRST SCAM ENDS
A person who has previously responded to or fallen victim to a scam may become a target for further criminal approaches. Fraudsters may retain, share, sell or obtain personal information about previous victims, making repeated targeting possible.
The term “sucker list” is commonly used in the fraud environment for information identifying people considered potential targets because of previous interactions with scammers. South Africa's Information Regulator has separately warned about the unlawful trading of personal information, including consumers' names, identity numbers and contact numbers.
There is, however, no single central “sucker list” from which a person can simply have their name removed.
If information has already been copied or circulated among criminals,
removing it from one source will not necessarily remove it from every source.
The objective should therefore be to break the cycle of engagement, secure compromised information
and make the victim a less useful target.
1. STOP ENGAGING WITH THE SCAMMER:
Do not argue with, threaten or attempt to expose the person contacting you.
Do not confirm your name, address, identity number, banking information or other personal details merely because the caller already appears to know some of them.
End the communication and block the number, email address or social-media account where appropriate.
SAPS specifically warns the public not to provide personal or financial information to unknown persons and advises people who suspect they have been victims of cybercrime, identity theft or commercial scams to report the matter.
2. DO NOT TRY TO "BUY YOUR WAY OFF A LIST:
This is particularly important.
A victim may be contacted by someone claiming to be a fraud investigator, recovery agent, lawyer, hacker or government official who says they can remove the victim from a criminal database or prevent further scams.
This can be another scam.
There is no legitimate reason to pay an unknown person simply because they claim to have access to a “sucker list” or promise to remove your name from one.
3. SECURE INFORMATION THAT MAY HAVE BEEN COMPROMISED:
If passwords, banking information, card details, PINs, OTPs or other credentials have been disclosed, contact the relevant financial institution or service provider through its official communication channels.
Change compromised passwords and ensure that important accounts use strong, unique passwords and appropriate additional security measures.
SAPS warns that fraudsters use phishing, vishing and smishing to obtain personal and confidential information and advises victims who believe they may have been compromised to contact their bank immediately.
4. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING:
Do not simply delete every suspicious message.
Keep copies of:
telephone numbers;
WhatsApp messages;
emails;
screenshots;
bank-account details supplied by the fraudster;
proof of payments;
social-media profiles;
websites and links used;
names and aliases;
dates and times of communication; and
any documents supplied by the alleged scammer.
This information can assist investigators in establishing whether different approaches are connected.
5. REPORT THE CRIME:
If money has been lost, personal information has been unlawfully obtained or used, or the person is being repeatedly targeted, the matter should be reported.
SAPS confirms that reporting a crime is free and that a complainant should receive a CAS number for future enquiries.
Where personal information is being processed or used unlawfully, a complaint may also be lodged with the Information Regulator.
The Regulator provides an online POPIA complaints service.
6. WHERE IDENTITY INFORMATION HAS BEEN COMPROMISED:
If an individual's identity documents or identifying information have been compromised or misused, additional protective measures may be appropriate.
SAPS has previously advised victims of identity theft to contact the South African Fraud Prevention Services (SAFPS), which provides Protective Registration in appropriate circumstances.
This is particularly important where there is evidence that someone has attempted to impersonate the victim or use their identity for fraudulent purposes.
7. BE PARTICULARLY CAREFUL OF “RECOVERY” SCAMS:
Previous victims can be targeted again by criminals who claim that they can recover lost money.
The victim is told that an investigation has located the money, that assets have been recovered, or that legal or administrative fees must first be paid.
The victim is then asked for another payment or additional personal and banking information.
This can create a second financial loss and provide criminals with even more information about the victim.
IMPORTANT:
A person cannot assume that blocking one telephone number means that their information
has disappeared from criminal circulation.
The practical response is to stop engaging, secure compromised accounts and information,
preserve evidence, report the crime and remain highly suspicious of anyone who subsequently offers
to recover money or remove the victim from a supposed criminal database.
The aim is not to find a person who claims they can “delete your name from a sucker list”.
The aim is to remove the information criminals can exploit, protect what cannot be changed
and prevent further engagement with the fraud network.
SSS encourages victims of suspected fraud to preserve all available evidence and obtain appropriate assistance where the matter involves repeated targeting, financial loss, identity compromise or organised fraudulent activity.
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Regards,
Mike Bolhuis
Specialist Investigators into
Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes
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