As online shopping and digital banking become increasingly common, scammers continue to develop new tactics to steal people's money. Taiwan's 165 Anti-Fraud Center reminds the public that one-time passwords (OTPs) are a critical security measure protecting personal accounts. Sharing an OTP with others is like handing over the key to your digital wallet.

According to the center, fraudsters often use phishing text messages, fake customer service calls, fraudulent shopping websites, and bogus investment platforms to trick victims into clicking suspicious links. They then claim that an OTP is required to verify an identity, cancel a payment, or complete a transaction. Once the victim enters the code, scammers can immediately access bank accounts, make unauthorized credit card transactions, or transfer money through digital payment services.

The 165 Anti-Fraud Center emphasizes that OTPs are for personal verification only. Banks, government agencies, and legitimate businesses will never ask customers to provide OTP codes over the phone, through text messages, or via messaging apps.

If you receive suspicious calls or messages requesting an OTP, do not click unknown links or provide the code. Instead, verify the information through official customer service channels. If you suspect fraud, call Taiwan's 165 Anti-Fraud Hotline for assistance.