Don’t be surprised if unexpected money shows up in your account lately. Awas modus, it could be a scam. Don’t fall for the wrong transfer trap!
Chronologically, here's how it happens: Many people suddenly receive money transfers from unknown senders. Shortly after, they’re contacted and told, “The money was sent to the wrong account, please return it.”
Indonesians are known for their kindness. When someone says they made a mistake with a transfer, many will return the money without hesitation or suspicion.
The strange thing is, how did they know your account details? How did they get your phone number? And where did that money even come from?
This scam happens because the fraudsters already have access to your personal information such as your ID number, bank account details, phone number, and more. Unfortunately, data leaks have been occurring recently.
The money that shows up in your account actually comes from illegal online loans (pinjol). So, after you return the transferred funds, you’ll start getting bills from the illegal loan platform the following month. Some victims have even received multiple bills in a row, without any idea where they came from!
What Should You Do?
When you receive money transferred by mistake, it’s natural to want to return it right away. Unfortunately, this is exactly the loophole scammers exploit. So, what should you do?
- Be cautious. You can avoid this scam by verifying the source of the money first. If you’re unsure or something feels off, simply refuse it. DON’T KNOW, KASIH NO!
- Report immediately to Halo BCA via the haloBCA app (free of charge) or by calling 1500888.
- Also report it to the OJK (Financial Services Authority) and explain that you don’t know the sender so you won’t be held liable for money laundering. The funds could be illegal or come from gambling or other suspicious sources.
- Most importantly, keep your personal information like your ID card number, bank account number, and phone number secure to prevent fraudsters from accessing it.
These tips can help you stay safe from money transfer scams linked to illegal online loan providers. We hope you find them useful. Learn more about the latest scams at www.bca.id/awasmodus.