Citizens of Kazakhstan advised to be cautious about phone calls claiming to be from "taxpayers"
Wanna Steer Clear of Scams? Here's Your Game Plan
Listen up, good folks of Mangystau region! The Department of State Revenues recently spilled some tea on a sneaky scheme where crafty con artists are conjuring up nonexistent tax issues - blocked accounts, phony tax service letters, you name it. Their aim? Luring you into a meet-up with the tax agency in a heartbeat.
So, how do you keep the wolves at bay? Here's the recipe to remain unscathed:
- Don't Believe Every Email or Call: Even if Mr. Bigshot claims to hail from some fancy government agency, don't trust strangers easily. Suspicious emails? Block, delete, and forget. Shady callers? Don't answer, and don't fall for it.
- Steer Clear of Suspicious Links: In today's digital jungle, dangerous links lie in wait like hidden pitfalls. Stay safe and dodge the dubious deals.
- Be Wary of SMS Codes, Bank Info, and Personal Data: Never reveal your SMS codes, card details, or a smorgasbord of personal info to unknown entities. Period.
- Don't Transfer Cash on Call: If some mystery person requests you to transfer funds, slam on the brakes. Your hard-earned dough is none of their business.
- Verify and Verify: Always double-check the authenticity of incoming info via official websites or government contact centers. Rumors may gain traction, but it's up to you to sift fact from fiction.
- If Something Seems Fishy, Report it STAT: Suspicions burning in your heart? Do your duty and report anything shady to your bank and law enforcement agencies pronto.
Now, let's talk about scams that government officials would never, ever request. That's right - they won't ring you up or ping you on Messenger asking for personal data, bank account numbers, card details, or other secrets. Period.
Meanwhile, on May 13, the Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market served up a reminder about common scams targeting Kazakhstanians. Despite data gaps, a few trends have surfaced:
- Cryptocurrency Swindles: Be cautious when dealing with crypto transactions. Those wolf-in-sheep's-clothing scammers are all too eager to swipe your cash under false pretenses.
- "Rodstvennik v bede" (Relative in Trouble): Scammers reach out to victims, claiming a beloved relative is in a pickle and needs financial assistance.
- "Pomoshch pravookhranitelyam" (Helping Law Enforcement): If someone asks you to assist in an investigation by participating in financial transactions, smells fishy, right? That's because it is.
Additional scams, such as those working out of illegal call centers, tend to prey on the elderly by employing fake schemes. If you want the nitty-gritty, track down the official report or announcements from the Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market to get the scoop.
I, personally, will be vigilant about general-news regarding crime-and-justice and will follow the guidelines to avoid scams, such as not believing every email or call, steering clear of suspicious links, and avoiding transferring cash on call. Additionally, I will keep an eye out for specific scams targeting Kazakhstanians, like cryptocurrency swindles, "Rodstvennik v bede" (Relative in Trouble), and "Pomoshch pravookhranitelyam" (Helping Law Enforcement), and report anything fishy to my bank and law enforcement agencies.
