Telkom warns its corporate and global customers against a new refund scam which is currently doing the rounds. Warning the customers, Thokozani Mvelase, Executive for TARPS (Telkom Assets and Revenue Protection Services), says that the modus operandi involves fraudsters pretending to be Reuben September, Telkom’s CEO. <\/p>\n
“Under this pretence," he continues, "the fraudsters telephonically tell our customers that Telkom’s banking details have changed and, as such, customers are asked to deposit their account payments into a falsified First National Bank account.”<\/p>\n
In conjunction with the telephonic communication, adds Mvelase, a fax is sent to a customer, on a Telkom letterhead, confirming the falsified banking details. This fax is ordinarily followed by another which purports to be from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). <\/p>\n
"As a ploy to coax customers into making payments into the falsified bank account, a second fax, on a fraudulent NPA letterhead, is sent to a customer. Under the guise that the NPA represents Telkom, it further requests that payments be made into the stipulated (falsified) bank account,” says Mvelase.<\/p>\n
Mvelase further stated that Telkom is not involved in this as they have proper and known channels through which they communicate with their customers. <\/p>\n
“In the event of such requests, we would like to advise our corporate and global customers to contact their respective Telkom Account Managers and\/or Credit Management. Otherwise, they can contact Telkom’s fraud hotline on 0800 124 000 or approach the nearest police station to report these fraudulent activities,” advises Mvelase. <\/p>\n