PHL-based Chikka users warned vs cyberscam

Cyberscammers may now be hitting a little closer to home by targeting users of Philippine text messenger service Chikka, a security vendor said.

 

GFI Labs said the scam is making the rounds on social networking site Facebook, apparently to exploit the service's "solid market."

 

"The scam comes in the form of a Facebook app, enticing users to download, install, and promote the service called ChikkaLoad to all their contacts in order to get a free P300 worth of phone credits or load," GFI Labs' Jovi Umawing said in a blog post.

 

"By banking on the popularity of this unique service with a solid market, cybercriminals have taken scamming to new grounds," he added.

 

Umawing said GFI has notified contacts at Facebook shortly after finding this, and the page is now offline.

 

"Chikka users, however, are advised to keep an eye out for duplicates of this fake app on Facebook. If you see them, steer clear," he said.

 

Chikka is an Internet-based SMS service that facilitates communication between computer and tablet users and mobile phone users.

 

Umawing said their investigation showed victims are led to an apps page called ChikkaLoadPH, which is made to look like a real Chikka page.

 

The page appears "slicker" than a lot of the survey scams GFI has encountered, Umawin added.

 

Victims are "encouraged" to promote the app on Facebook and are required to be logged in to their accounts.

 

They will then be asked to choose their mobile home network.

 

"(But) regardless of what they pick, users are required to fill in a survey to obtain their promised freebie," Umawing said.

 

The survey gives the scammers their commission, and the victim is left holding the bag.

 

Worse, a victim who has a Twitter account tied to his or her Facebook account ends up promoting the app on his or her Twitter account as well. — TJD, GMA News