IF YOU have ever received a phone call from someone claiming to be from an e-commerce platform telling you that you have won a voucher, you are not alone.
The calls sound convincing, the offer sounds legitimate, and all you have to do is follow a few simple instructions.
But will e-commerce platforms actually call you to offer rewards and vouchers?
Verdict:
FALSE
Legitimate e-commerce platforms do not call customers to offer rewards, vouchers or any other form of incentive, and any such call is a scam designed to steal personal and account information, as reported by MyCheck.my.
The scam typically works by having the caller inform the victim that they are one of a small number of lucky customers selected to receive a voucher, before asking them to follow a series of instructions including clicking a link or providing a security code.
Shopee has stated on its official website that it will never contact customers to request passwords, one-time passwords or ShopeePay personal identification numbers via phone calls, WhatsApp or Shopee Chat.
A one-time password, commonly known as an OTP, is a temporary security code sent to a user's phone to verify their identity during a transaction or login.
Shopee confirmed that all legitimate communications with customers are made through its official app, verified social media accounts and official email addresses ending in @shopee.com.my.
While Shopee does maintain an official WhatsApp account, this is used only to send promotional alerts and reminders about new or expiring vouchers, and will never be used to inform customers that they have won a prize or reward.
Grab similarly states on its official portal that it will never request OTP codes from users and advises customers not to share such codes with anyone.
Grab notes that rewards such as vouchers and loyalty points are available through challenges offered within its app, not through unsolicited phone calls.
Both platforms have issued warnings on their official social media channels urging users not to share sensitive information if they receive suspicious calls or messages.
Members of the public are advised that any voucher, promotion or reward from a legitimate e-commerce platform will always be delivered and redeemed through the platform's official app, website or verified communication channels, never through an unsolicited phone call.
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