September 2, 2010
By Donovan Jackson

*Do not be caught by Nokia lottery hoax*

Back in the 1990s, when the Internet was still new-fangled and inveigling itself into the popular consciousness, people tended to believe everything that arrived in their inbox. Times have changed; most of us are now sufficiently savvy that we don’t expect to receive thousands of dollars for forwarding an email. You’re also likely to agree that you know of nobody who has actually received something for free from a random email. But what started in the email world as a relatively harmless (if annoying) scam has taken a turn for the slightly more sinister with its application to the SMS world.

The myth we’re tackling today is that Nokia has a lottery, which you have won as you’ve received an SMS stating as much – by the way this is not unique to Nokia – all manufacturers of mobile phones have been targeted as well as the operators.

Scams usually operate on the principle of appealing to our innate wish to get something for nothing. We’d all like to win the lottery. Of course we would. But that desire can very quickly lead you astray; greed can easily blind you, even to the obvious. So you receive an SMS saying you’ve won a lottery. Sounds great but the first obvious sign that this isn’t quite what you think it is, is that you haven’t actually entered a lottery. Our very own lottery operator makes the point beautifully in its slogan. ‘You have to be in it to win it’.

When you receive such an SMS, DO NOT respond to it. DO NOT forward it, either. It is spam, just like the rubbish which pollutes the Internet and too often lands in your inbox.

Should you fall for it and reply, the chances are that this is what will happen: the scammer will string you along for a bit, before it gets down to brass tacks. The magnificent sum which you have won somehow needs a bit of oiling for its release. You know administrative fees. And once the scammer has seen the colour of your money, often starting with small, relatively insignificant amounts, he and his accomplices will start wheedling, cajoling, threatening and menacing more from you. You will come off second best. There is no lottery; there is no prize. Nokia does not run such operations (which are strictly regulated by Government, and only allowed by licensed operators), it is in the business of handsets, content and other communications.

Some tips to avoid SMS and email scams:

-      If you receive an SMS or missed call from any unrecognised numbers it is best not to respond to the SMS or missed call. Report these SMS scams immediately to the Consumer Fraud Reporting Centre on contactus@thedti.gov.za. Be extra cautious and never reply to a spam email or SMS even if you wish to unsubscribe from the mailing list.

-      In cases where the unrecognised SMS requests your credit card or online account details, never divulge any personal details over SMS or email.

-      Do not open suspicious or unsolicited email spam, delete these messages immediately.

-      Do not click on any links in an unsolicited spam email or SMS, or open any attachments, as more often than not these files contain viruses.

-      Never call a telephone number that you see in a spam email or SMS.

Want to learn more? Read about scams circulating in South Africa here.

Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true. And if in doubt, consult the Internet, using your favourite search engine, and typing in (for example) Nokia Lottery Scam. The answers are out there. And they are worth knowing.

*Photo by Antti Kultanen