DStv scam: Just because they have your info doesn't mean they’re legit – cybersecurity expert

Relebogile Mabotja speaks to consumer journalist Wendy Knowler.

Listen below.

Unfortunately, scammers constantly evolve their methods, so you need to always be on the lookout. 

DStv scams are particularly common, with ‘agents’ claiming to be from MultiChoice offering benefits and rewards.  

Scammers can gain access to the victim’s personal information or even their bank account through a series of prompts.

In a recent case brought to Knowler’s attention, a victim bizarrely lost R45 000. 

“She switched on her TV and there was a message from ‘DStv’ saying she needed to reconnect… They gave her three options to contact them. She opted for the 010 telephone number as it was easiest.” 

– Wendy Knowler, Consumer journalist 

“She dialed it and a woman answered… the message on the TV screen immediately went away and her phone call got cut off. She immediately got a call back from the so-called MultiChoice offering her two months of free premium.”

– Wendy Knowler, Consumer journalist 

“The agent asked to see her payment to MultiChoice so she went onto her Nedbank Money app, went to the statement showing the debit order… a pink or purple screen came onto her phone… half an hour of chatting and then the pinging started happening and she realised the money started going out of her bank account.”

– Wendy Knowler, Consumer journalist 

She lost her money, despite not disclosing bank details or account numbers. 

She called MultiChoice back the next to get details of the ‘010’ call but there were no records of it.

Frikkie Jonker, Cybersecurity Anti-Piracy Director at Irdeto (a MultiChoice Company), says they have come across the same modus operandi once before.

“When fraudsters want to test a new platform or a new device they will try it out on multiple people… These two incidents happened almost at the same time and we’re busy doing a deep dive.” 

– Frikkie Jonker, Irdeto 

Victims believe these callers are legitimate because they already have some of their personal information.

This is NOT a sign that you are dealing with a legitimate representative, Jonker emphasises.

“Data leaks happen daily worldwide… South Africa is probably the highest on the Continent where people’s personal data can actually be out there… people’s personal information, ID numbers, telephone numbers, banking details are all out there.” 

– Frikkie Jonker, Irdeto 

Verify the information before you move forward. Something as little as a date of birth can unlock so much information about you. 

"My rule is if someone phones me with this kind of personal information, I always say please email me... When they do that, you phone your bank and say, 'I received this email. Is it you?'"

– Frikkie Jonker,  Irdeto 

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the discussion.