A new type of fraud on Telegram: beware of Premium “gifts”
22 November 06:41
Telegram users are being attacked by a new type of fraud: attackers disguise phishing links as a “gift” in the form of a free subscription to Telegram Premium. The goal of this scam is to steal users’ credentials to gain access to their accounts, Komersant ukrainskyi reports, citing the media.
How the scam works
Hackers send messages offering a free Premium subscription. To “activate” it, the victim is redirected to a fake authorization page that looks almost identical to the official Telegram website.
There, the user is asked to enter their phone number, password, and verification code. All this data is obtained by the attackers, who can use it to hijack the account or commit further fraud.
How to recognize the danger
Experts recommend checking links carefully. You can do this by “holding” your finger on the link on your mobile device to see the real URL.
If the address does not match the official Telegram domain, it is an obvious danger signal. It is also important to remember that Telegram does not provide free Premium subscriptions in the form of mass mailings.
What to do in case of suspicion
If you have already entered your data on similar sites, immediately change your account password and activate two-factor authentication. This will help protect your account even if your password has been compromised.
This type of fraud is not the first to be associated with Telegram. Previously, attackers have used similar methods to sell non-existent internal messenger currencies or spread malware through fake channels.
