Telenor warns against new Amazon fraud aimed at Norwegian consumers
Scammers are calling people from unknown Norwegian mobile numbers and pretending to represent Amazon, Telenor warned on Monday.
A new type of phone fraud is becoming more and more common in Norway.
READ MORE: Norway's most common phone and internet scams and how to avoid them
"Recently, we have received many inquiries about this type of fraud. The scammers pretend to be calling from Amazon," senior security advisor Thorbjørn Busch at Telenor says.
He explains that callers present you with a problem. They claim, for example, that an order for an expensive iPhone has been registered in your name.
"When you confirm that you have not made such an order, they offer to help you cancel the order, and that is when they try to trick you," Busch says.
How does the Amazon scam work?
Under the pretence of helping you, the scammer asks you to download an app. Recently, the AnyDesk app has been used as the criminals' preferred tool - but apps such as TeamViewer have also been used in the past.
The app gives criminals the opportunity to see everything you do on your mobile phone. If you have an Android phone, they will also be able to override your phone and, for example, change passwords, Busch warns.
The expert states that apps such as AnyDesk and TeamViewer are legitimate and free to download via the AppStore and Google Play Store. The apps can, for example, be used to help others with computer problems or if you need access to your devices via the internet.
"The only problem is that they are also very easy to abuse. All the criminals need is for the owner of a mobile phone or computer to give them access," Busch warns.
How to stay safe
As fraudsters operating in the Norwegian market invent new scams and advance their methods, it is important to remain vigilant and attentive to detail.
The Local recently compiled safety tips that can help you minimise risk and secure your personal information, including deleting messages and rejecting calls from foreign numbers, not clicking on links you don't recognise, protecting all your accounts with unique passwords, and others.
You can check out our full list of safety tips here.
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A new type of phone fraud is becoming more and more common in Norway.
READ MORE: Norway's most common phone and internet scams and how to avoid them
"Recently, we have received many inquiries about this type of fraud. The scammers pretend to be calling from Amazon," senior security advisor Thorbjørn Busch at Telenor says.
He explains that callers present you with a problem. They claim, for example, that an order for an expensive iPhone has been registered in your name.
"When you confirm that you have not made such an order, they offer to help you cancel the order, and that is when they try to trick you," Busch says.
How does the Amazon scam work?
Under the pretence of helping you, the scammer asks you to download an app. Recently, the AnyDesk app has been used as the criminals' preferred tool - but apps such as TeamViewer have also been used in the past.
The app gives criminals the opportunity to see everything you do on your mobile phone. If you have an Android phone, they will also be able to override your phone and, for example, change passwords, Busch warns.
The expert states that apps such as AnyDesk and TeamViewer are legitimate and free to download via the AppStore and Google Play Store. The apps can, for example, be used to help others with computer problems or if you need access to your devices via the internet.
"The only problem is that they are also very easy to abuse. All the criminals need is for the owner of a mobile phone or computer to give them access," Busch warns.
How to stay safe
As fraudsters operating in the Norwegian market invent new scams and advance their methods, it is important to remain vigilant and attentive to detail.
The Local recently compiled safety tips that can help you minimise risk and secure your personal information, including deleting messages and rejecting calls from foreign numbers, not clicking on links you don't recognise, protecting all your accounts with unique passwords, and others.
You can check out our full list of safety tips here.
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