SEPTEMBER 5 — Imagine looking for a home cleaning service online and finding an offer at an unusually low price. After making a booking, you are asked to download an application for payment or confirmation. Without realising it, the application may not be official. If malicious, it could give scammers access to information on your device or other sensitive data.

This illustrates how digital scams can affect even everyday services. As Malaysia celebrates its 69th National Day, the challenges facing society have evolved alongside technology. Today, some threats appear silently through smartphone screens, including online scams, information theft and misuse of digital transactions.

One major development is mobile commerce (m-commerce), which enables consumers to purchase goods and services, make payments and access services through mobile devices. While m-commerce saves time and offers convenience, increased digital activity also creates greater exposure to security risks.

Staying alert in a digital world

Online scams are no longer an isolated issue. In January 2026, 1,381 online purchase scam cases involving RM14.8 million in losses were recorded, representing a 57 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2025. Bank Negara Malaysia also reported that the impact of reported fraud cases in Malaysia reached RM2.8 billion in 2025.

One growing concern is the use of malicious mobile applications. Scammers may gain access to victims’ devices after they download suspicious third-party applications. Such access can potentially allow scammers to read or delete transaction notifications and one-time passwords (OTPs).

Consumers therefore need to adopt a simple principle:

Stop, check and verify before making a transaction.

Ask: Is this platform legitimate? Is the application really necessary? Why am I being asked to download it from an unfamiliar link? Am I sharing information that I should not?

A cheap offer is not necessarily a scam, but an unusually cheap offer deserves scrutiny. Likewise, professional-looking applications and links shared through messages or social media are not automatically safe. Passwords, PINs and banking information should never be shared with unknown parties.

What is digital independence?

Digital independence means having the knowledge and ability to use technology wisely, make informed decisions and protect oneself from digital risks. True digital well-being is not simply having access to smartphones, e-wallets and e-commerce platforms; it is being able to enjoy technological progress safely.

This responsibility extends beyond consumers. Platform providers and financial institutions must strengthen security systems, detect suspicious activities and continuously raise public awareness.

If a financial scam occurs, victims should immediately contact their bank or the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997, and make a police report.

Digital independence is not merely the ability to use technology. It is the ability to use technology without becoming a victim of its misuse.

Check before you click. Verify before you pay. Protect yourself before it is too late.

* Dr Syazwani Yahaya is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Business Management, Universiti Utara Malaysia, specialising in Management Information Systems, with expertise in m-commerce, e-commerce and digital transformation. She is also an Executive Board Member of the Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers (AMER).

** This is the personal opinion of the writers or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.