Neither Router nor Mobile: Movistar Confirms They Can Ruin You if You Make This Mistake

Movistar has issued a warning to its users about a new scam attempt that has been recently detected. Cybercriminal gangs, increasingly sophisticated, are using deceptive methods to steal information and money from customers. This time, a user of the company has shared their experience in the Movistar Community forum, seeking help.

The scam begins with a phone call, in which a supposed Movistar representative contacts the customer. In this case, the user mentioned that their router was malfunctioning, with speed drops and connection interruptions.

The response from the person posing as a Movistar employee was quick. They offered to replace the router at no additional cost. But with the condition that a communication with a technician had to be made first.

A few days later, the supposed technician sent a WhatsApp message to the user with detailed instructions to proceed with the change. According to the instructions, the customer had to wait for the arrival of a package. Once received, they had to send a photograph of the barcode on the outside of the box to validate the installation.

This detail seemed legitimate, as it was not necessary to open the package. It seemed like a practical way to manage the process.

Movistar Didn't Intervene in Anything

However, things took an unexpected turn. The supposed technician, after receiving the photo of the barcode, made an excuse and explained that an error had occurred. Therefore, they would send another router model.

At this point, the scam began to become clearer, as the customer was not informed that they had to open the box. The person posing as a Movistar employee proposed returning the package, and a courier would come to the house to pick it up.

What happened next is even more alarming. When the customer contacted Movistar to confirm the procedure, the operator informed them that they had been scammed. Upon reviewing their customer area, they noticed that a purchase of an iPhone for almost 1,600 euros had been made.

The package that the customer had returned did not contain any Movistar device, but an iPhone. To make matters worse, the phone was delivered to someone outside the operator, leaving the customer with no chance of recovering it.

The major problem doesn't lie in a security breach in Movistar's systems. It all stems from the user providing a series of personal data to the cybercriminals. This information facilitated the purchase of the iPhone and the fraudulent shipment of the package.

Movistar Confirms It's Easy to Fall for the Trap

The scam was based on manipulating the customer into providing sensitive information without being aware of the danger. This case highlights how vulnerable we can be to scam attempts. Even when we believe we are dealing with a trustworthy company.

Movistar has reiterated that they will never request sensitive information over the phone or ask for purchase validation via WhatsApp or other unofficial means. Additionally, the operator has emphasized that they would never ask their users to share barcodes of unsolicited products.

The company has confirmed that these types of scams can ruin you not only because of the financial loss. Also because of the risk of your personal data being used for fraudulent purposes.