A resident of Zainsk spoke about a new fraud scheme involving a housing chat.

      In Zainsk, a resident nearly became a victim of scammers who operated under the guise of a housing chat.

      A resident of Zainsk, Gulfiya Rodionova, encountered a new scheme of internet fraud. Under the pretext of joining a housing chat, the fraudsters attempted to gain access to her personal data. According to the woman, she received a message inviting her to join a communal chat.

      — They wrote to me as if it were our housing chat. They offered to join. I clicked, and then they asked me to send a confirmation code. They said they couldn't see me in the system and needed me to dictate the code. I sent it, and only then did I realize that I shouldn't have done that, — Gulfiya Musovna shared.

      Realizing that she might have fallen for the scammers' trick, the woman immediately took action. She contacted the relevant services, blocked access, and notified the bank.

      — I went to the MFC, where everything was blocked. Then I went to the bank, blocked everything there too, and documented the situation. After that, I contacted the police, — she shared.

      Experts warn: scammers are constantly coming up with new ways to deceive. Now, the fraudsters are exploiting people's trust in popular services and creating fake housing chats, neighbor groups, and other communities.

      It is important to remember: real housing chats do not require you to provide codes from SMS, messengers, or banking apps. Any confirmation code is a key to your personal data and finances.

      If you are asked to name or forward a code, immediately cease communication.

      Gulfiya Musovna's story is yet another reminder that vigilance today is the best protection against scammers.

      As the resident of Zainsk herself says:

      — Forewarned is forearmed. This is something that must be shared with people so that no one else falls for such a trick.