IMDA warns of fake survey on WhatsApp about online shopping

SINGAPORE – If you receive a survey on consumer attitudes towards online shopping, purportedly by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case), be on the alert.

It is a scam, according to the authority in a Facebook post on Friday.

The IMDA warned of the message circulating via WhatsApp from a scammer who claimed to be conducting the survey on behalf of it and Case.

The message promises a reward of $13 if the respondent completes the survey by answering “a few questions”.

“Members of the public are advised not to respond and to report and block the sender immediately before deleting the message,” the IMDA said.

Those who need scam-related advice can call the anti-scam helpline on 1800-722-6688 or go to

scamalert.sg

The number of scam victims in Singapore rose in the first half of 2023,

with 22,339 scam cases logged

, a 64.5 per cent increase from the 13,576 cases during the same period in 2022.

But the total amount that victims lost in the first half of the year dropped slightly to $334.5 million, from $342.1 million during the same period in 2022.