A family member messaged from a new number asking for money urgently. Is it really them?
It may be a scammer pretending to be your relative. Call the person on their old number or ask a question only they would know before you send anything.
The message often says the phone broke or was stolen, and there is an urgent bill. The scammer counts on you acting before you think.
How to check
- Call the old number or another family member.
- Ask a personal question a stranger could not answer.
- Ask for a voice note or a short call.
- Do not send money until you are sure.
Frequently asked questions
- The profile picture is my relative. Is it them?
- Not necessarily. Profile photos are easy to copy from social media.
Want to know if there are warning signs about the person you're chatting to? Veritaza checks the photos, the messages, the number, the email address, the name and the ID document, for TSh 5,000.
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