Every time a catastrophe occurs (like the fires that have recently affected thousands of families in Chile), a worrying pattern repeats itself: along with the emergency comes a immediate increase in digital scams and frauds for identity theft.
Cybercriminals exploit emotional distress, misinformation, and the urgent need for help. They tailor their messages to the context and pose as authorities, public officials, emergency personnel, or purported donation channels. The goal is to build trust quickly. and lower people's defenses.
Fraud doesn't come through technology, it comes through emotion.
In many cases, the takeover of WhatsApp accounts or other services doesn't occur due to complex technical failures; the key factor is the social engineering.
The attackers They manipulate emotions such as fear, urgency, or trust in authority to convince victims to share verification codes, click on fake links, or hand over sensitive information.
In times of crisis, people look for quick answers; scammers know this and act swiftly.
Warning signs that should not be ignored
In contexts of emotional shock, it is essential to recognize basic warning signs:
• Unsolicited contacts demanding immediate action.
• Requests for codes, keys, links, or personal data.
• Messages that avoid official channels or request confidentiality.
“No reputable institution requests passwords or codes via phone, WhatsApp, or social media.”
Repeating this message can prevent many victims.
Beware of donations and QR codes
Solidarity increases in emergencies, but so do the fraudsDonation QR codes can be easily spoofed.
Scanning a QR code from an unverified source can lead to fake websites designed to steal information or money, so It is recommended to donate only through official and verified channels..
When everything is lost, digital identity is also lost.
After the fires, many people are left without documents or means of communication, and these conditions are exploited by criminals to create or access accounts in the victims' names.
Therefore, an urgent measure is immediately block the RUN through the Civil Registry website. Having someone with internet access to help can make a huge difference in preventing future fraud.
Prevention is a shared responsibility
Prevention doesn't depend solely on individuals. technology companies They must strengthen verification and early detection systems; telephone operators, validate identity and alert about impersonation; and the State, coordinate clear information campaigns and facilitate reporting channels, such as those of the PDI for financial crimes, available online.
Three immediate actions to protect yourself
• Never share codes or keys, without exception.
• Always verify through official channels before taking action.
• Report and quickly block any suspicious contacts or links.
In emergencies, Protecting your digital identity is just as important as protecting your physical security.Information, prevention, and collaboration can prevent further harm at times when people have already lost almost everything.
In Zenta we believe that Technology should protect peopleespecially in critical moments.