Shopee: Be wary of SMS scams asking for your personal info

In a statement issued to LifestyleTech, the ecommerce company says it does not use messaging platforms to request user information to facilitate parcel collections. — Shopee

Shopee has warned customers to be vigilant with their personal information in light of the rise in scam messages claiming that parcels are being held due to incomplete delivery information.

In a statement issued to LifestyleTech, the ecommerce company says it does not use messaging platforms to request user information to facilitate parcel collections.

“All communications between Shopee and a user will be conducted via the official Shopee app, official Shopee social media pages and official Shopee WhatsApp verified business account, which will bear the ‘verified’ check marks.

“Shopee is committed to providing a safe, reliable and enjoyable shopping experience to our users.

“All user and delivery information are requested within the Shopee app, in line with our long-standing commitment to ensuring our buyers and sellers safety.

“This fully complies with applicable personal data laws and regulations, including the Personal Data and Protection Act,” says a Shopee spokesperson.

The ecommerce platform further says that users can reach out to them via the live chat feature in the Shopee app or email before divulging any information.

It further points users towards the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) Semakmule platform to check if certain bank accounts and phone numbers have been used in commercial crime.

Those who fall victim to such scams or cybercrime can report the incident to the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) by calling its hotline at 997.

J&T Malaysia issued a similar alert via its Facebook page last Friday (April 19), warning its customers not to click on any links in SMSes from unfamiliar numbers.

Also last week, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) warned of the uptick in scams, estimating that the total amount lost by victims was slightly under RM230,000.