Scam modus disguised as Shopee CS rampant in app chat feature

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The online scam modus operating under the guise of Shopee Customer Service (CS) is becoming increasingly prevalent, with perpetrators targeting users through private chat features in the app to steal data and take over victims’ accounts. Shopee emphasises that it never contacts users via private chat, either in the app or outside it, to request sensitive data such as PINs, passwords, or OTP codes. In practice, the scammers use usernames modified with elements of the Shopee CS name to make their messages appear convincing. The messages sent are typically urgent in nature, such as “your account has been blocked” or “your account is restricted”, accompanied by links claimed to be steps for account recovery. However, these links are scam tools aimed at taking over accounts and stealing victims’ personal data. Shopee explains that communication with customer service can only be initiated if users first contact them via the “Chat with Shopee” feature in the “Me” profile menu. To avoid scams, the public is urged to heighten vigilance by not clicking links from suspicious accounts sent through the chat feature, and not to panic upon receiving account blocking threat messages, but instead to verify immediately through Shopee’s official services. Users are also asked to report suspicious accounts via the features available in the app, and not to share personal data, including OTP codes, with anyone, including those claiming to be customer service representatives. Additionally, users are advised to enhance account security by activating two-step verification and regularly updating passwords. Shopee further urges the public to ensure information comes only from official channels, such as WhatsApp accounts with blue ticks, verified social media, or official customer service, and to verify every piece of information received and follow developments in scam modus to avoid falling victim to digital crimes, as quoted from a press release on Friday.