REACH 325 - In your view, have anti-scam measures implemented earlier this year, such as removing links from SMSes, been effective? How can we continue to remain vigilant and guard vulnerable groups against scams?
(SK)
07 Mar 2022 (10am - 7pm)
REACH
[9:56 am, 07/03/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,
Welcome back! ๐
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Megan ๐
[10:00 am, 07/03/2022] +REACH: ๐ข Topic ๐ข
People in Singapore lost at least $633.3 million to scams in 2021, more than double that of the previous year. Investment, impersonation, and love scams were among the biggest contributors to the rise.
The annual figure has been on the increase over the past few years, with investment, impersonation, and love scams among the biggest contributors to the rise.
๐ฌ In your view, have anti-scam measures implemented earlier this year, such as removing links from SMSes, been effective? How can we continue to remain vigilant and guard vulnerable groups against scams?
In response, the Government is doubling down on efforts to stop scams here, said Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam on 27 Feb (Sun).
"We are redoubling our efforts. The police are taking on more powers to stop certain types of transactions but you know, the multiplicity of transactions and the digitisation mean that the challenge grows exponentially," said Mr Shanmugam.
He listed ScamShield - a mobile app that filters out scam messages using artificial intelligence and blocks calls from phone numbers that were used in other scam cases or reported by ScamShield users - and anti-scam campaigns as examples of preventive measures. "A very substantial number of scams were prevented from taking place through all these efforts," he added.
Community Policing Units in neighbourhoods also spend time visiting various Housing Board blocks and engaging the community to educate the public about scams.
Earlier this year, banks in Singapore have also put in place more stringent measures to bolster the security of digital banking, such as removing clickable links in SMSes or e-mails sent to retail customers.
๐ https://str.sg/wsUb
๐ https://str.sg/wsuk
๐ https://str.sg/wszq
๐ https://str.sg/wWt2
๐ https://str.sg/wQyQ
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[10:02 am, 07/03/2022] +Noraini: What does 're-doubling' means
[10:03 am, 07/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Should have done long ago ๐คฆ๐ป♂️
Wait Till so much money got scam then start
[10:04 am, 07/03/2022] +Ken Loh: All the countermeasure setup should have done long ago.. special those that don’t need a lot of effort like sms and link removal
[10:05 am, 07/03/2022] +JC: Wahhhh didn't know Singaporeans so rich can b scammed for half a billion in one year. ๐ No wonder all e crime syndicates target us...
[10:05 am, 07/03/2022] +Sugeng Shi: I think we should have pursued the scam much earlier especially when the scammed money is being transferred by involving the financial institutions, unless we are talking about scammers asking for hard cash or something not monetary. MAS as the highest authority could have implemented stricter measure to deter the scammers from utilizing the service of financial institutions.
[10:06 am, 07/03/2022] +Ken Loh: We are rich and more gullible… relatively easy to scam.. not street smart
[10:07 am, 07/03/2022] +Timothy Low: Recently there are a lot of job scams, the relevant authorities should take actions against the scammers in this field as well
[10:08 am, 07/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Being straight forward and growing up in a friendly community.. is a double edge ๐
[10:49 am, 07/03/2022] +Rama: Carousel website leaves much bad taste for numerous short change vendors fleecing buyers.
[11:50 am, 07/03/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,
We want to HEAR MORE from you!
We have had good feedback from this group, and we hope that we can keep the discussion robust and active!
Megan ๐
[11:58 am, 07/03/2022] +Angelica: I think more reminders and campaigns on possible scam tactics...
[11:58 am, 07/03/2022] +Angelica: I still have friends that don't know SG number shouldnt have +65 infront
[0:03 pm, 07/03/2022] +Caleb: Can it be communicated via gov.sg WhatsApp and telegram communication.
Else it's just a platform about covid
[0:04 pm, 07/03/2022] +Angelica: i think that would be good, but also usually the people who get scammed aren't very tech savvy are they...
[0:09 pm, 07/03/2022] +~RH: Means 'put in more effort ' ...
[0:11 pm, 07/03/2022] +~RH: Good point.
๐คท♀️ So, talking abt it isn't gg to do much good, since the ppl who are most r risk r unlikely to be here! ๐ค
[0:21 pm, 07/03/2022] +~typing.......: I think the vast majority of people in Singapore don't know that and that it would be helpful for something to be done to raise awareness: it is a very simple (and virtually guaranteed) indicator of a scam.
[0:22 pm, 07/03/2022] +~typing.......: Sorry - of a scam phone call
[0:51 pm, 07/03/2022] +REACH: At least 13 people lost over $38k to new travel review job scam this year
More: https://str.sg/wsC5
[1:14 pm, 07/03/2022] +~N: Not effective.
Suggestions:
Improve data protection of all organizations that collects and uses personal data. This includes monitoring and restricting internal access of personal data.
Incoming call filter option to filter calls that are not on contact list.
A ScamShield equivalent for mobile apps to filter apps that collect unnecessary data of the app user.
Provide proper channels to each of the root cause. For example job scams targeting people looking for jobs or side income?
Perhaps a scam check hotline to make verification and reporting easier.
[1:23 pm, 07/03/2022] +~typing.......: There is a big difference between SMSs and phone calls which prey on people who are less tech-savvy and more trusting, and which give the impression that they are from legitimate businesses like banks and phone companies, and websites like this.
Most sensible people know that if you have to initially pay money to secure a commission based job it's almost certainly a scam.
Government should protect those in need; it should not have to protect those who are greedy and foolish.
[1:29 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
1. The removal of clickable URL links send by SMS from banks and business has been effective in greatly reducing scam.
2. It is important that Telcos also block SMS send with clickable links that are sent locally or overseas - so that users will not received any such SMS with bait links.
3. Expediting the Scamshield for Android users will be useful - as majority of the handphone users carry Android phones rather than iPhone.
4. Notice that scam SMS and even phone calls with +65 or other "+" calls have been reduced significantly - which means Telcos have build up its database to block scam calls especially coming from overseas.
5. MAS requiring banks to introduce more stringent measures in performing bank transactions over the Internet also seems to be particularly helpful in reducing scam via digital bank transactions over the Internet.
[1:36 pm, 07/03/2022] +Suma pamu: As we discussing scams i just received Call from this number
In whtsapp
Said Singapore police force and Crime investigation department ๐
[1:37 pm, 07/03/2022] +Suma pamu: Their DP is Singapore Police ๐
[1:38 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
WhatsApp are coming from data line not from phone line.
[1:38 pm, 07/03/2022] +Suma pamu: I askd wch police station
He said Marina bay
And I asked whats the postal code๐๐
He is googling i guess
I scolder n cut off pho e
[1:39 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ: Email also coming from data line
[1:39 pm, 07/03/2022] +Suma pamu: So many scam call
Especially in the name of
MOH, DBS banks
[1:40 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ: SMS and phone call coming from phone line.
[1:40 pm, 07/03/2022] +Suma pamu: Yes
[1:41 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
The current government measures and Scamshield are only protecting the phone line.
[1:49 pm, 07/03/2022] +BL: Some software systems unfortunately do put the +65 even from Singalore companies. I ignore them though. ๐คฃ
[1:52 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
1. Currently the government is concentrating the effort to protect and block the PSTN network (Public Switched Telephony Network).
2. The PSTN network has a gateway link to Internet network.
3. The effort is now trying to block and manage the SMS and voice calls coming from PSTN network - so that scam voice call will not float over via clickable URL link to the internet data network to steal money from the bank via the internet.
4. WhatsApp, email, clickable URL link are in the data network that access the internet directly.
5. Thus important for people to note that all current efforts are to protect the voice network and not the data network.
[2:02 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
1. Protecting the voice line is possible because voice line are under the control of our Telcos eg. Singtel, Starhub, M1.
2. Protecting the data link is a nightmare because:-
- WhatsApp is under meta or Facebook
- telegram under telegram
- email under Yahoo, Microsoft, Google etc
A nightmare to control scam coming from data lines.
So low trust should be accorded to data link tools.
[2:14 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
1. Some people may ask how come WhatsApp can make phone calls - isn't WhatsApp coming from voice line?
2. WhatsApp are using VoIP - IP telephony that uses Internet network tcpip and sip protocol - which is a data line.
3. Hence when scammers scam people using voice call via WhatsApp - scamshield or voice call protection from PSTN is not effective because the scam call is coming from data line using VoIP not PSTN network.
So don't talk to "police" via WhatsApp voice call - very likely to be a scammer.
[2:30 pm, 07/03/2022] +Rama: Scamshield for android still pending for roll out.
[3:26 pm, 07/03/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,
We want to HEAR MORE from you!
We have had good feedback from this group, and we hope that we can keep the discussion robust and active!
Megan ๐
[3:30 pm, 07/03/2022] +Smile face: https://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/one-hack-of-a-job-115101601285_1.html
[3:34 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
Government should also consider heavier jail sentence and fine for scammers who are caught to serve as a deterrent.
Very difficult to catch digital scammers.
[3:40 pm, 07/03/2022] +~...https://mothership.sg/2022/03/severed-leg-margaret-drive/
[3:52 pm, 07/03/2022] +Anthony: The scams only show more that Singapore is Vulnerable when facing all this scammer the Police & Commoner out of ideas to dealing with this worsen situation๐ ♂️๐ ♂️
[3:54 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
Jill Biden 'holding her breath' that the Russia-Ukraine crisis does not turn into 'world war.
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/jill-biden-holding-her-breath-235906094.html
[3:54 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
Chilling message from the US 1st Lady.
[3:57 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/singapore-gravely-concerned-cyber-attacks-ukraine-josephine-teo-104959793.html
Singapore ‘gravely concerned’ over cyber attacks against Ukraine: Josephine Teo
[4:13 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/cisa-and-fbi-warn-of-potential-data-wiping-attacks-spillover/
CISA and FBI warn of potential data wiping attacks spillover.
[5:15 pm, 07/03/2022] +Smile face: Expect oil to hit & $145-$148 level, sooner than later
[5:15 pm, 07/03/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,
We want to HEAR MORE from you!
We have had good feedback from this group, and we hope that we can keep the discussion robust and active!
Megan ๐
[5:17 pm, 07/03/2022] +Smile face: Look at Wheat price now!
[5:17 pm, 07/03/2022] +Smile face: Russia claims it will hold fire for Ukraine evacuations; oil prices soar to 13-year highs. Follow our live updates
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/07/possible-russian-energy-ban-sends-oil-soaring-poland-us-in-jet-talks.html?__source=androidappshare
[5:19 pm, 07/03/2022] +Smile face: High chance petrol price will reach up to $3.30 for 95 octane...
[5:20 pm, 07/03/2022] +Smile face: Inflation will reach higher than 40 years level, economics history...
[5:27 pm, 07/03/2022] +Smile face: 'Hackers' may disrupt monetary value by means of ZEROING (erasing) KEY tradings, financials and banking digital infrastructures.
Have hard copies of balances backups READY should such despicable acts happen? Let not these possibilities happen!
[5:43 pm, 07/03/2022] +REACH: Shoppers to pay at least 5 cents per disposable bag at most supermarkets from mid-2023
Consumers will from mid-2023 have to pay at least five cents for every disposable bag - regardless of material - they take at most supermarket outlets here, said Minister of Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu on Monday (March 7).
➡️ More: https://str.sg/wsyu
[5:44 pm, 07/03/2022] +Vivian: Shoppers to pay at least 5 cents per disposable bag at most supermarkets from mid-2023
Consumers will from mid-2023 have to pay at least five cents for every disposable bag - regardless of material - they take at most supermarket outlets here, said Minister of Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu on Monday (March 7).
➡️ More: https://str.sg/wsyu
[5:44 pm, 07/03/2022] +Vivian: isnt we paying 10 cents for it now for some super markets?
[5:45 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: who are the biggest carbon emitting countries in the world....
[5:45 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: check that and all will balance up
[5:50 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-cuts-self-off-from-global-internet-tests-defenses-rbc-2021-7
Russia exit Internet.
[5:55 pm, 07/03/2022] +Caleb: ๐๐
[6:03 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: +1
[6:03 pm, 07/03/2022] +JC: This is cost-shifting, making consumers pay for what supermarkets used to give for free. Note that the proceeds from the plastic bags are not "taxes" collected by the government but $ that are kept by the supermarkets.
Why is the government not taking ownership of the proceeds? What are the measures that we will be keeping track of so that the public will know whether this policy is indeed having the intended impact?
[6:05 pm, 07/03/2022] +JC: If you require the public to cough up hard earned money, however small the sum, and putting the money in the hands of corporations - of which NTUC is the largest one - there should be some public accounting if the policy does not deliver the outcome as intended.
[6:09 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: agree. ultimately the pockets or profit of the supermarkets like NTUC will increase but worst off for the consumer
[6:10 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: and it isnt the case that NTUC or SS are not making $$$ just that the profit margin is not higher each year
[6:10 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: let this corporation play a part and let them pay for it
[6:16 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
So this signal a start for household not to bag their liquid and solid wastes at home - and just throw the waste down the rubbish chutes come mid 2023?
The news article did not address this environmental need nor did the ministry mention this need.
[6:22 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: Just flush down the chute!
[6:22 pm, 07/03/2022] +Rama: Why is Giant supermarket not participating!?
[6:28 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
Buying plastic bags to bag waste cost money and deem to be environmental unfriendly.
So imply that in future no need to bag the home waste and just throw them down the rubbish chutes.
[6:29 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: then supermarkets should start giving biodegradable bags which are strong to withhold liquid too
[6:29 pm, 07/03/2022] +Rama: ๐ต๐ซ๐ง๐ฎ๐๐ ๐คฃ๐คท♂️
[6:29 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: science & tech has advance much - i m sure the supermkts can dip into their profits to do this
[6:30 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: with no cost to consumers
[6:30 pm, 07/03/2022] +Rama: Yes but at what cost!?
[6:30 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: u mean the profits by the supermarkets not sufficient?
[6:30 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: y is the consumer at the receiving end for everything
[6:30 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
Come mid 2023 the household habit to bag home waste will change.
[6:31 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: when prices of oil or flour goes up ... eveything goes up by 20cents min... but when the same commodities normalises... does the price normalises and comes down?
[6:31 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: no
[6:32 pm, 07/03/2022] +JC: Maybe supermarkets just throw away bags of plastic bags in the rubbish to pad profits, easy money. I am sure it costs less than $0.05 per bag to buy.
[6:34 pm, 07/03/2022] +Rama: Consumers end up picking the tab
[6:45 pm, 07/03/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,
⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰
Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.
Goodnight!
Megan
[6:47 pm, 07/03/2022] +Caleb: Dairy Farm is giant and cold storage
[6:49 pm, 07/03/2022] +Rama: So!.
[6:51 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ:
Very interesting.
A policy solve one problem and create another problem - and yet let it hanging in the air - instead of addressing it.
[6:51 pm, 07/03/2022] +Caleb: So we shld demand for paper bags
[6:51 pm, 07/03/2022] +Rama: ๐๐ ๐คฃ
[6:51 pm, 07/03/2022] +Caleb: Or any other bags other then plastic. ๐คฃ
[6:53 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: With zero cost to consumers
[6:53 pm, 07/03/2022] +Rama: Yes
[6:53 pm, 07/03/2022] +Caleb: Ya
[6:54 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ: And no MP ask this question.
[6:54 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ: On behalf of the household.
[6:55 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️ Danny ๅฟ: Despite raising this concern many times.
[6:56 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: Hv u heard any1 raising matters affecting the mid income? Or most households?
Best suggestion will be another incentive for the low income
[6:56 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: Then we r back to the same situation...
[6:57 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: Subsidies for the lower income to cushion this charge.. n mid income community pays subsidises for evryone..
[6:58 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: In fact ntuc should be leading this cause and volunteer some new and bold steps to either using plastic substitutes or other schemes
[6:59 pm, 07/03/2022] +Smile face: 7 March, 2022
To: Our Distinguished Ministers and All Honorable Members
"Making the codes, Storing the codes, Transition of codes and Breaking the codes War,... from analog to digital"
Area of Concerns & Leakages:
Internal - within company or country
1) Source of leaked data
2) Outsource of data processing
3) Outdated or Weaker Security walls and level of access by internal staffs and outside parties
External - outside of company or country
1) Personal ID such as NRIC, SingPass, Bank details are common data
2) Cloud security levels, physical location and access points
3) Public & Private data minings caused leakages and duplications of vital personal data
Banking -
KISS - "Keep It Simple & Safe"
Why ATM cards of yesterdays were safer …
[6:59 pm, 07/03/2022] +Rama: Yes
[6:59 pm, 07/03/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,
We will be closing the chat for today.
Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.
Goodnight!
Megan ๐
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