Filenews 22 February 2021
Phishing via e-mail, Smishing via sms on the phone and Vishing via telephone communication, are the main methods used for scams targeting bank customers. The main feature of each of them is the way in which in any case the fraudster approaches his prospective victim.
Phishing: Deceptive emails
Phishing refers to fraudulent emails designed to deceive their recipients and disclose their personal and financial information or security codes to fraudsters.
How does it work?
The fraudster approaches his prospective victim by sending him a misleading email.
These e-mail messages:
- They may look very much like the messages banks send their customers.
- Copy the logo, features and style of actual emails
- They ask you to download an attached file to your device or click on an online link
- They use terminology that gives the feeling of urgency
What can you do?
- Keep software up to date, including browser, antivirus and operating system
- Be especially careful if a "bank" email asks you for sensitive information, (e.g. your bank account password via internet banking)
- Check the email carefully: compare the address with previous actual messages from your co-op bank
- Check for spelling and grammar or syntax errors
- Do not reply to a suspicious email, instead forward it to the bank you are working with by typing its e-mail address yourself
- Do not click directly on the online link and do not download the attached file, instead enter the address of the electronic link in your browser
- If in any doubt, check the website or call your bank
Cyber criminals rely on the fact that people are busy and hasty. This, combined with the fact that fraudulent emails seem to be legitimate, maximizes the risk of being victimized.
Take special care when using a mobile device. It may be more difficult to detect a phishing attempt from your mobile phone or tablet.
Smishing: Deceptive SMS messages
The term "Smishing", a combination of the words "sms" and "Phishing", refers to the attempt of fraudsters to obtain personal and financial information or security codes via sms messages.
How does it work?
The text message will usually prompt you to click a link or call a phone number to verify, update, or re-update your account. But... the online link leads to a fake website and the phone number leads to the fraudster claiming to represent the legitimate business.
What can you do?
- Do not click on links, attachments or images you receive with text messages (sms) without verifying the sender
- Don't be in a hurry. Take your time and carry out the necessary checks before answering
- Never reply to a text message (sms) asking you for your "PIN" or password ("Password") in your bank account or any other personalized security credentials (e.g. e-banking user name)
- If you think you may have responded to a fraudulent text message (sms) and provided your bank account details, contact your bank immediately
Vishing: Deceptive phone calls
The term "Vishing", a combination of the words "Voice" and "Phishing", refers to telephone fraud, which is intended to deceive the victim in order to disclose his personal and financial information or security codes or even to transfer money to the fraudsters.
What can you do?
- Be careful with unannounced and unannounced phone calls
- Keep the phone number from which you have been called and let us know that you will return the phone call to them
- To verify their identity, search for the company's phone number and contact them directly
- Do not verify the person calling you with the phone number they gave you, it may be a fake or forged number
- Scammers can find your basic online contact information (e.g. from social media). Do not assume that the person calling you indicates their true status because they have such information at their disposal
- Do not give the "PIN" code of your credit or debit card or the password of your bank account via e-banking. The bank you work with will never ask for such information
- Do not transfer money to another bank account at their request. Your bank will never ask you to take such action
- If you think this is a fraudulent phone call, report it to your bank.
Source: eyenews / Cyprus Police
