There have currently been several cases in which fraudsters have obtained consumers' account details and withdrawn their savings. From phishing to smishing to fraudulent calls: the Brandenburg consumer advice center explains what tricks the rip-offs use and how you can protect yourself.
Three different scams, with the same result: Fraudsters try to get account details and empty the account using emails, text messages or calls.
Account details stolen via email – phishing
A Brandenburg consumer received an email with a link. He should then activate his new debit card at his house bank and change his access data in the process. The perfidious thing about it: He had actually received a new bank card shortly before, so he didn't suspect anything. His account was then cleared and he suffered damage of around 4,000 euros.
“Banks only send emails with links that you should click on in exceptional cases. Then it’s about new terms and conditions, for example, but never about logging into your customer account,” says Sylvia Schönke, financial advisor at the Brandenburg Consumer Center. “It is always better to go to your bank's website by typing it into the address field of your browser. If you cannot clearly decide whether an email is genuine and you suspect attempted fraud, be sure to check with your bank to avoid damage.”
Account details stolen via SMS link – smishing
A newer variant of phishing, the interception of sensitive data, is smishing. Fraudsters send SMS with links to get data.
A consumer received a message that his bank's policies had changed and he should update his information. He clicked on the link in the text message and was redirected to a website that looked like that of his local bank. He entered all his bank details into a form and sent it off. Shortly afterwards he received a call with his bank's real customer service number on the display.
The alleged advisor said that unknown people had withdrawn money by installing the Push-Tan app. The solution is that the consumer has to give the caller permission via their Push-Tan app so that the money can be credited back. The consumer then received a code via the Push-Tan app, which he confirmed. The message said “Credit.” The caller said that the consumer would now receive new data for his online banking by mail and that banking would remain blocked until then for security reasons.
He waited a few days, but when nothing arrived, he contacted his bank. It turned out that the bank hadn't sent the SMS - he had fallen victim to fraudsters and lost around 2,000 euros.
Account details stolen via phone call and app
Another consumer described the following case to VZB: He received a call supposedly from his bank's real customer service number. The alleged employee informed about a possible security risk and recommended that the consumer block his online banking access. He offered to walk the consumer directly through the process. To do this, the consumer should open a specific website and enter their login details there. This scam also led to the scammers getting all of the consumer's important data and thus being able to empty their account.
Consumer advocate Schönke advises: “Never talk about your personal and financial circumstances on the phone. Never give out account information or passwords over the phone or on unknown websites or apps.”
Anyone who has fallen victim to such fraud should have their bank block their account as quickly as possible and report it to the police. The consumer advice center provides advice on such cases.
Those interested can find further tips on how to recognize a phishing email or fraudulent calls before damage occurs on the consumer advice center website > Phishing > Smishing > Fraudulent calls
Also read: Bitcoin rip-off after clicking on a Facebook ad
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