Niël Terblanché
Telecom Namibia (TN) has warned its customers to be alert following a noticeable rise in cyber scam attempts that appear to be targeting unsuspecting users through impersonation and deceit.
According to the warning issued on Monday by the company’s management, the scammers have been contacting individuals while posing as TN representatives.
“In many instances, they claim to offer assistance with internet upgrades or connectivity problems, but their real intention is to gain access to customers’ personal devices or financial details,” the warning reads.
TN’s management stressed that it will never request access to customers’ phones, bank accounts or computers via telephone or any other informal means.
TN also stated that it never asks for payment or personal information outside of its official, secure channels.
Customers were urged to exercise caution, particularly when dealing with unexpected calls.
The company advises against sharing IDs, PINs, PUKs or One-Time Passwords with unknown contacts, and warns against installing software or apps based like Anydesk on unsolicited instructions.
According to the statement, customers should always feel entitled to verify the credentials of anyone claiming to represent Telecom Namibia, including requesting the technician’s name, department, and a number for confirmation.
“We are continuously updating our security protocols and training our staff to recognise and combat evolving scam tactics,” TN said while calling on customers to report any suspicious activity directly to the company.
While the statement did not confirm a link between these cyber scams and an earlier security incident, it comes months after Telecom Namibia suffered a ransomware attack.
The December 2024 breach, reportedly carried out by a group known as Hunters International, resulted in the theft of more than 600 gigabytes of customer data.
After the company refused to pay the ransom, the stolen data was leaked on the dark web.
At the time, Dr Stanley Shanapinda, the chief executive officer of Telecom Namibia, stated: “We don’t negotiate with cyber terrorists.”
In response to the breach, the company encouraged customers to update their passwords and remain on high alert for fraudulent emails or calls.
At the time, cybersecurity analysts noted that the data breach could potentially have far-reaching consequences for affected customers, given the amount of information stolen and the increasing sophistication of cyber criminals.
Since the breach, TN has been working closely with law enforcement and cybersecurity experts to manage the fallout and strengthen its systems.
Although the link between the current wave of scams and the previous breach has not been officially confirmed, the timing has raised concerns among customers.
