Nowadays, with a smartphone, people can do much good and damage. This is the age of technology and while it has its positive side looking at all the inventions and easy ways to achieve things, it also has its negative side. The fake alert is one of the cons of technology because many people have lost their will to live after being at the receiving end of subterfuge by fraudsters.
Most victims are unable to trace the fraudsters who committed the crime and scammed them of their money or walked away with their goods. Therefore, understanding what a fake alert is, how it is done, and how to spot it will enable you not to fall victim to this scam.
What is a fake alert?
A fake alert is a tool which fraudsters use to dupe people in different ways. A fake alert is a short message (SMS) disguised as a real bank alert from a bank to an unsuspecting individual. In most cases, a fake alert, also known as alert flashing, copies the exact way your bank will send you a credit alert message and sends you the same message, only that it is fake. With the rise of technology, many internet fraudsters have devised a way that causes many victims to lose their hard-earned money.
This growing menace usually happens to sellers whose customers request to pay via online transfer. This way, when the “customers” allegedly send the money, the seller will expect an alert, not knowing that the customer is a fraudster and has sent a fake alert. POS agents are another set of people who fall prey to this act because when people come to withdraw money and send it via online transfer, the POS agent expects an alert, not knowing that the person is a fraudster.
Regarding fake alerts, the fraudster only needs your account or phone number to achieve their goal. Once they have this information, they will copy your bank’s style and format to send you a credit alert and a fake one. Note that without your phone number or account number, fraudsters who commit this crime cannot have access to you. In a country where people are still getting used to technology, especially for financial transactions, many have fallen victim to these scams as these fraudsters prey on them.
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How to do a fake alert
- Download and install the fake alert application (see fake alert apps below, you can download any one of them)
- Go to the data settings and edit it, ensuring to leave the space for the phone and account number blank, then save settings.
- Go to the location and change to anonymous.
- Select the country you want to flash fund. You can flash fund any bank account in any country.
- After selecting the country, type Done in the Done box.
- Type the name of the account you want to send a fake alert to.
- Type the account number.
- Type the name of the bank.
- Type the amount you want to send.
- Select a delivery time. If you want the alert sent to the person’s phone immediately, click on urgent delivery; if not, click on delayed delivery.
- Cross-check all the details you have typed in.
- Click on send.
- Type in your transaction pin and activation code.
- Then depending on the delivery time you picked, the person will receive the fake alert.
Fake alert app
If you are wondering how these fraudsters commit this crime, most times, they do not do it on their own; they make use of certain apps.
Here are some fake alert apps that you should know:
- Pro and fake alert maker
- Money Prank Pro
- Flash Fund app
- Millionaire Fake Bank Account
- Lofty SMS app
- Zoalert
The fact that these apps are easily accessible on the Google Play store makes it even worse because anyone can get them and then use them to send a fake alert once they have your phone number or account number.
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Code for fake transfer
The answer is NO, for people who want to know if there is a code for fake transfers. There is no USSD code for fake transfer, but it can be achieved using fake alert apps, as mentioned above.
You do not have to be a fraudster to know and understand how a fraudster thinks and operates. When you equip yourself with how to do fake alerts, fake alert apps, etc., you become armed and aware, so you do not fall prey to this scam. Ensure to scrutinise your credit alert henceforth and, if possible, revert to your bank app when checking for credit alerts to avoid these scammers.
How to detect fake alerts
To ensure you do not fall victim to fake alerts observe the following measures:
- Whenever someone sends money via transfer to you, always check your email linked to your bank account. When you get a credit alert, your bank immediately sends you a credit alert email. If you do not have an email linked to your bank account, it is advisable to open one to clear the air and avoid unknowingly accepting a fake alert.
- Always check your mobile banking app or use your bank’s USSD code to confirm your account balance. Money sent via a fake alert will never reflect in your bank balance. Hence, confirm your account balance.
- Armed with the knowledge that a fake alert will not reflect in your bank balance, it is imperative to look closely at every credit alert you receive. If it does not show your total bank balance, it is fake.
- Always check for misspellings when you receive a credit alert. As unrealistic as this might seem, it can save you a lot of heartache and money.
Never be in a hurry to confirm the money has been sent to your account if you have not taken any of the above steps, especially when the person is a stranger. Many business owners are losing money because of fake alerts, with no one to hold responsible for the theft or even to track them to make them pay.
This is the age of technology, so it pays to be tech-savvy or know at least the basics to safeguard your money.
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