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Public alerted to rising credit card scams using fake SMS messages

Sunday Island

February 01, 2026

Sri Lanka CERT has alerted the public to a rising credit card scam involving fake SMS messages and online alerts claiming cards have been suspended due to "suspicious activity.

Victims are tricked into clicking links and entering personal information, including NIC numbers, after being warned their cards will be cancelled within 24 hours. Scammers then use this data and obtain OTPs to steal funds from accounts, CERT said yesterday in a statement titled Public Advisory: Financial Fraud - Do Not be Deceived by Bank or Police Impersonation Scams'.

Full text of the statement: Sri Lanka CERT has received multiple complaints regarding an ongoing fraudulent scheme in which scammers send SMS messages and online notifications falsely claiming that credit cards have been suspended, with the intention of unlawfully obtaining money and personal information from the public.

Approach Used by Fraudsters

1. Fake Bank Alerts via SMS and Online Messages

Cette histoire est tirée de l'édition February 01, 2026 de Sunday Island.

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