“The number is expiring”: how scammers deceive Vodafone subscribers
11 February 05:16
A fraudulent scheme has become active in Ukraine, in which criminals masquerade as the mobile operator Vodafone and send messages about the alleged “expiration of the number.” This was reported by the Center for Countering Disinformation on Telegram, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
How the scam works
According to the Center, fake accounts posing as official Vodafone pages send messages with alarming text about the “expiration of the SIM card.”
These messages contain links that supposedly allow users to confirm their number or order a new SIM card.
“Fake accounts masquerade as Vodafone and report the alleged ‘expiration of the number’, offering to urgently replace the SIM card. This is fraud,” the Center for Countering Disinformation emphasized.
Vodafone’s position
Vodafone has officially stated that it never initiates SIM card replacements via messengers and does not send such messages on Telegram or other chat platforms.
The operator urges subscribers to:
- not to click on suspicious links;
- not to enter personal data, confirmation codes, or passwords;
- block and report fake accounts.
What to do if you receive such a message
Cybersecurity experts advise:
- ignore such messages, even if they look “official”;
- verify information only through the operator’s official channels;
- if in doubt, contact Vodafone support via the website or official app.
The CSD emphasizes that fraudsters actively use the element of urgency to force people to act without verifying the information. That is why users are asked to be especially careful.
