The same appeal applies to another type of short message that is currently emerging. In Ibbenbüren, several people reported a fraudulent SMS. In these cases it was a text that was allegedly sent from a relevant classifieds portal. It says something like this: “The item in your sales list was paid for online! Click here to confirm (link follows). Kind regards, your classifieds team.”

In the cases from Ibbenbüren, the injured parties had offered goods for sale on the Internet via classified ads. A supposed interested party wanted to buy the goods and pay via the sales portal's payment system. The injured parties then received a text message with a link - supposedly from the classifieds portal. The sellers then entered their details on the website to which they were redirected. The link was created by scammers. Those affected later discovered unauthorized debits on their credit cards. The financial damage in each case was in the low four-digit range. Since such fraudulent messages cannot only occur in the Ibbenbüren area, the police once again warn against responding to such text messages.

Have you received a text message like this?

  • Whatever you do, don't tap on the link!
  • Delete the message!
  • If your phone asks whether you want to install an app, do not confirm under any circumstances!
  • Set up a third-party block through your mobile provider!

Have you already installed the app?

  • Switch your cell phone to airplane mode so that it cannot receive external commands or send text messages.
  • Notify your wireless provider about the problem. Ask whether costs have already been incurred.
  • Have a third-party lock set up.
  • Report the incident to the police.
  • Back up all your data, images, videos and settings.
  • You should then reset your smartphone to factory settings. This will delete all apps and data that were not present when you purchased the phone.

Further information on the topic of phishing is available from the federal and state police crime prevention departments .
There is also a flyer available for download with information in the event of an emergency. Further information from the North Rhine-Westphalia Police including information sheets on the subject of online shopping can be found HERE .

The classifieds provider Ebay, in whose name the fraudsters send their SMS, WhatsApp messages or emails, also warns about this data phishing, lists various forms and gives tips on how best to protect yourself from it.

Source:

Press portal

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