Protect Yourself from Account Takeover Fraud

Here’s how fraudsters steal customers’ identities and ways to prevent yourself from identity theft.

Digital applications are replacing the traditional ways of doing things. Be it shopping, travelling, or even buying groceries. Everything now is available with a tap of a button.

The flip side of this convenience is that it has led to digitally advanced crimes. One of the most common forms of digital crimes that have increased today is Account Takeover (ATO) fraud.

ATO fraud is a form of identity theft. This type of theft happens when scamster’s gain access to a genuine customer’s account by stealing their passwords and usernames through unfair means.

E-commerce & Account Takeover Frauds So, how do ATO frauds happen? Fraudsters can misuse your account by:

• Accessing your bank details
• Shopping using your credits or vouchers
• Making fraudulent orders using saved or stolen card
• Adding their account details to get a product refund amount

How do Fraudsters Gain Access to a Customer’s Account?

Phishing

Fraudsters trick people into revealing their login information like login OTP, personal details such as card information, and bank account details. They do so through SMS, emails, phone calls, and chat conversations.

For e.g., they might pretend to be a representative of Meesho or send you a fake post/letter/email/photos that may appear legitimate. We at Meesho will never ask for OTPs or personal information (name, phone number, email, bank details) over calls/emails/posts/SMS. Be careful in such a situation and refrain from sharing any information.

Malware

Malware software is another way of extracting information from a customer’s phone. This software gets installed by clicking on unsolicited links or downloading an app from untrusted sources. Such software can track keystrokes, store everything you type and even spy on your browser. Using anti-virus software can help in preventing these types of attacks.

What to do when a fraudster takes over your account?

We strongly advise you not to transfer any fee/amount or share sensitive data, including bank details such as OTP, UPI/ATM PIN, CVV or credit/debit card details to anyone claiming to be a Meesho’s representative.

You can also receive such fake communication through email, text message or a physical post. Refrain from transferring funds or sharing any details.

You can report such incidents to us at legalsupport@meesho.com.

Preventive Measures

You can outsmart a fraudster if you know their common tactics in such scams. Below are the measures you can take to prevent ATO scams effectively:

• Avoid paying any money or deposit funds to any person wrongfully claiming to be Meesho’s representative or job consultant(s). Neither Meesho nor any of its representatives or authorised recruitment consultants take money or any other kind of payment for employment at Meesho or enrollment on the supplier panel of Meesho.
• The caller might ask you to click on an unknown link. By clicking on the link, you risk sharing your personal information. Be cautious about such situations.
• Do not pay fees for prizes, rewards, or lotteries offered on your phone/letters/SMS.
• Never respond to links asking you to update your user account or password.
• Also, we will never ask you for OTPs or personal information (name, phone number, email, bank details) over calls/emails/posts/SMS. Additionally, you will never be contacted personally by Meesho about unauthorised offers, lotteries, contests, or schemes or be requested for money for such participation. If you get a call/message where you are being asked for such details, it is best not to entertain such communication.
• Report such suspicious activity to Meesho’s legal support — legalsupport@meesho.com

Where to Find Reliable Information about Meesho?

Website — You can shop and access the latest updates and information on https://meesho.com/.

App Communication — We actively communicate with our users through our app. It is in the form of push notifications, community announcements, and more.

Official App Download Links Of Meesho — Android iOS

User Support — In a case of fraud or scam, you can reach out to us at legalsupport@meesho.com for further clarity from our side.

Meesho social media account — We also update you about our exciting events and offers through our social media accounts.

Our official social-media channels:

Medium: meesho-tech

Twitter: @Meesho_Official

Instagram: meeshoapp lifeatmeesho

Ending Notes

Meesho takes strong measures to ensure the safety of its users. And we take strict actions against fraudsters. However, we need our users to act cautiously to prevent such fraudulent cases further.

For more information, do take a look at our policy on anti-phishing.