False claims about your bank account should make you follow a link, reports our cooperation partner Watchlist Internet . Replicas of bank websites ask you to enter data and install malware. Ignore the news and don't disclose any data!
There may be a particularly large number of phishing messages landing in your inbox at the moment. Criminals appear to have just launched an offensive to access online banking data. Since all emails are sent in bulk, it makes no difference which bank you are with. In particular, we have been receiving an increasing number of fake emails in the names of Volksbank, Bank Austria, easybank as well as Erste Bank and Sparkasse in recent days. An example of the current phishing messages is the following in the name of Volksbank:
Typical bank phishing claims
In the Volksbank example above, you are led to believe that because of an EU directive you have to update your personal data in order to reactivate your account. This is a typical made-up reason to get you to follow the link. Other incorrect reasons include:
- It is necessary to update your banking app.
- EU regulations such as the PSD2 directive made your intervention necessary.
- You would supposedly have to confirm your identity.
- Your account was blocked due to unauthorized access.
- You have not yet installed a necessary banking app
Therefore, do not follow links in emails to your online banking. Even if you believe the message is genuine, you should only access your banking account through normal channels. For example, via your smartphone app or internet browser.
Recognize phishing emails
As soon as you receive an email on behalf of your bank, be skeptical. Pay attention to the following points to immediately recognize a scam:
- Check the sending address : In most cases, you can see where the email comes from after the @ sign in the email address. If necessary, compare it with a real message from your bank.
- Incorrect spelling : If a message contains numerous formatting or spelling errors, it is probably a scam.
- Impersonal salutation : Criminals send their messages en masse and the salutation is therefore usually impersonal. Many banks send messages with a personal salutation.
- Deactivation invented : Use the usual login to check whether your banking has actually been blocked. This will help you determine whether the claims in the message are fabricated.
What happens when you click on the link?
We advise against following links in phishing messages. In most cases this does not cause any damage, but it cannot be completely ruled out. In the example of the Volksbank phishing message shown above, you land on a purely visually perfect replica of the Volksbank login:
The difference from the real website is only in the web address and the non-working links on the page:
Have you disclosed data or installed apps?
Contact your bank immediately and inform them of the fraud. It may be necessary to block the account. In any case, the login details must be updated. Discuss the next steps with the bank employees.
If you have installed an app as requested on the fraudulent sites, you will usually have to reset your smartphone to its factory settings. How to make sure any malware has been removed. Attention: All data will be lost!
In the event of financial damage, you should definitely file a police report.
You might also be interested in: Beware of fake “Interpol employees”
Source: Watchlist Internet
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )