Impersonation scams are a type of fraud involving bad actors who pretend to be trusted individuals or organisations to deceive unsuspecting people in various countries into providing personal or financial information, or transferring money. 

This type of scam is usually conducted over the internet or the telephone. 

Impersonation scams are a problem for all financial companies. Scammers deceive people and businesses to steal their money. Because these scams are becoming more elaborate, companies all over the world have to stay alert and update their security measures in order to ensure their customers are protected.  

We’ve seen a recurring trend of bad actors pulling impersonation scams to target unsuspecting people who are in Uganda. 

Here’s how they might operate:

  • They send a message claiming that funds have been sent to your account through your financial institution, Flutterwave for instance, and in order to access these funds, you’d need to pay an “activation fee”.
  • They may also call you on your mobile phone to ask for sensitive details such as your PIN, card information, or OTP. 

Here’s how to protect yourself from the bad actors of impersonation:

  • Note: It is important to know that any authorised Flutterwave representative will NOT ask you for any of this information or ask you to pay an “activation fee” to access your account.
  • Verify through authorised channels: If you or someone you know receives any suspicious messages or calls allegedly from Flutterwave, ensure you verify through our official communication channels before taking any action.
  • Protect your account: Make sure you take all security precautions to protect your account. This means using Multiple Factor Authentication (MFAs), PINs for your transactions and strong, unique passwords for all your accounts.
  • Spread the word before it’s too late: Share this message with your friends, family, and anyone you know in Uganda.

Flutterwave is committed to keeping its customers and users safe from fraudulent scams. It is equally important as a customer to ensure you have taken all the necessary recommendations to protect your accounts. 

Let’s stay safe together! 🦋

Published by Sharon Grey

Storytelling and Brand, West Africa