Fujairah, Mar 12 (Khaleej Times): An awareness drive aimed to protect all members of the society from the perils of phone scam and fraud has been launched by the Fujairah Police. The campaign themed 'Beware of Phone Scam' will run till the end of this month.

The drive against phone scammers and fraudsters has been designed to highlights the risks people may be exposed to when anonymous people call them or send them text message (SMS) to inform them that they had won a cash prize offered by, for example, a major local telecom operator. Some conmen also dupe people in the guise of offering medical treatment, along with other fraudulent schemes, which might lure victims in to the scam net.

Brigadier Mohammed Ahmed bin Ghanim Al Kaabi, Commander-in-Chief of Fujairah Police, stressed the importance of safeguarding the community members from any kind of fraudulent activities, especially phone scams that happen either through calls or SMS.

He called upon the public to take precautions and beware of fraudsters and swindlers. He advised people not to divulge any personal information to anybody, particularly their credit card numbers and bank account numbers, and not to transfer or remit money unless one is sure of the authenticity and accuracy of the information by the bodies concerned.

Brochures, lectures, awareness messages are being given to the public via the Fujairah TV and Fujairah Radio FM channel, said Lt-Colonel Saeed Mohammed Al Hassani, Head of the Information and PR Section, Fujairah Police. Al Hassani said conmen take the advantage of humanitarian cases like seeking help for medical treatment for a relative to extract money from the people. Also, public was made aware to be extra cautious during public events or festivals as that is the time these conmen mostly approach people for help.