Introduction

Are you dreaming of free public transport rides for an entire year? Think again! The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has issued a critical warning about a new phishing scam involving falsely advertised ez-link cards, and you won’t want to fall for it.

Details of the Scams

In a post shared on their official Facebook page on November 15, the LTA alerted the public to a dangerous scheme circulating via social media. Scammers are promoting the sale of $9 ez-link cards that supposedly come with a year's worth of free rides. They are also luring unsuspecting victims with fake giveaways, encouraging them to fill out questionnaires to allegedly claim a complimentary ez-link card.

Warnings from LTA

“Beware! Clicking on these deceitful ad links leads you straight to phishing websites, where they will request your bank details and one-time passwords (OTPs),” warned the LTA. They emphasized that all genuine promotions related to ez-link cards are exclusively conducted through the SimplyGo website and the official social media channels of SimplyGo and ez-link. Importantly, SimplyGo has not issued any promotions offering ez-link cards with free rides.

Advice for Commuters

The LTA urged commuters to be vigilant and avoid clicking on questionable links in social media posts. They reminded everyone to protect their personal information, bank details, and OTPs at all costs.

Recurring Scam Patterns

This is not the first time in 2023 that the LTA has had to confront these malicious tactics. Back in September, they had put out an advisory to inform motorists about similar scams, where victims received fake messages claiming their vehicles had pending road fees requiring immediate payment. Those messages urged recipients to click on links to “settle” their outstanding amounts, which could have led to identity theft and financial loss.

Conclusion

This alarming trend highlights a growing need for individuals to approach online offers with caution. Always verify the source before providing any personal information, and remember: if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Stay alert and protect yourself against these cunning scams! Your vigilance is your best defense against fraud.