New scam hits mobile phone users in Dubai
By Irene Arsenia, Staff Reporter
DUBAI - Several etisalat subscribers in Dubai have complained of receiving scam messages on their mobile phone, asking the user to pay for overdue payment on disconnected etisalat postpaid connection. The message also came with a local telephone number instead of etisalat's toll-free number for clarifications.
Filipina Maria D. told PilipinasToday.net on Saturday that she received the same message even though she did not have a postpaid connection with etisalat.
“When I called the number indicated on the SMS, my call was picked up by someone claiming to represent etisalat. Sensing my suspicion as I enquired about the strange SMS, she briefly asked me for my mobile number and said she will check the system and call me back. She never did,” Maria said. She then called etisalat’s toll free number and was told to ignore the message since there was no issue with her account.
PilipinasToday.Net called etisalat to inquire about the message and was told by the customer service agent that the message is a scam and should be ignored. The agent also warned that scammers may be phishing for information from prospective victims.
This reporter called the number indicated on the SMS, and the call was picked up by a female operator who introduced herself as “Anna for ABC* on behalf of etisalat.” Posing as a subscriber, this reporter inquired about the overdue payment on the disconnected postpaid connection and gave Maria’s number to check. However, the person called “Anna” could not pull out details about the etisalat subscriber when she was asked. With a slight tremble to her voice, she told this reporter she will need time to check the system and call back with details. She never called back.
*Full name withheld for legal purposes
