During the colder months, when the government offers compensation for utility bills, there is an increase in phone scams. Fraudsters try to take advantage of people’s trust. These scammers often pose as National Office of Social Insurance (NOSI) employees and try to gather sensitive information.
In this article, we’ll explain how these scams work, how to recognize them, and what steps you can take to protect yourself from falling victim to fraud.
How phone scams work
Scammers contact their victims by phone or social media, claiming to be NOSI employees. They may offer social benefits or financial compensation as a reason to ask for personal derails you’re your bank card number, CVV code, or confirmation of an OTP (One-Time Password) received via SMS. By gaining your trust and creating a sense of urgency, they try to steal your banking information.
How to protect yourself from fraud
- Never share sensitive information over the phone: avoid giving out personal details or banking information to callers you don’t know;
- Verify the caller’s identity: if in doubt, hang up and call your bank or the relevant institution using the official contact number from their website or your bank card;
- Beware of calls that create a sense of urgency: fraudsters often try to rush you into action, hoping you’ll act without thinking;
- Don’t click on links from unknown sources: never follow instructions to install apps or visit links sent by strangers.
Staying informed and alert can help avoid phone scams. Even if the situation feels urgent or alarming, always take a moment to think and contact your bank if you suspect a scam.
If you believe you’ve been scammed, temporarily block your cards through your banking app and call our Contact Center at 1313 or email us at infofraud@maib.md.
Sincerely,
maib team
