Taiwanese Teen's Verification Code Share Leads to Parent's Phone Line Suspension

A junior high school student in Taiwan fell victim to a scam while trying to obtain free virtual items for a mobile game. The student was lured into a conversation on a video platform and subsequently joined a communication app with the scammer. The scammer requested her phone number to claim a "game skin" and asked the student to send a screenshot of an OTP verification code received via SMS. Unsuspectingly, the student complied.

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Many minors think that simply sending a password will not cause damage, but they overlook the huge risks hidden behind it.

Months later, the student's parent received notifications from the telecom provider about the activation of a "One Number" service, which allows multiple devices to share a single phone number. This service was activated on the parent's account without authorization. The account was later suspended due to abnormal call activity, with nearly 100 calls made in a short period. A review of the call records revealed the scam.

The "One Number" service is designed for devices like smartwatches or car systems to share a phone number, enabling calls and internet access even without the primary phone. However, if the OTP verification code is compromised, scammers can bind this service to unknown devices, leading to account theft. With summer approaching, police warn that scammers are increasingly targeting young people with offers of free virtual currency or game benefits, using them to extract personal information.

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Parents should always pay attention to their children's phone usage and teach them correct cybersecurity awareness.

Authorities urge parents to monitor their children's phone usage and educate them about cybersecurity. They emphasize that sending a single verification code can have severe consequences. Scammers often initiate contact by offering freebies and requesting personal data or verification codes. If unusual verification messages are received or phone services are altered unexpectedly, individuals should immediately contact their telecom provider, report to the police, or call the anti-fraud hotline.

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Whenever you encounter netizens who claim to give away free currency and ask for personal information or verification codes, it is a standard scam starting move.