Online scams are taking on plague proportions in Evia: The new message-trap

Incidents of fraudsters’ messages both in mail and on citizens’ mobile phones with the aim of stealing money from internet banking have turned into a scourge for Evia as well.

In particular, citizens are making new reports of message-fraud on mobile phones, which aims to access personal data, through extracting codes and ultimately the theft of money.

The message is allegedly sent by a bank in the form of an SMS in which it is stated that the recipient has allegedly been blocked from his account due to suspicious activity and is asked to click on a link provided to him in order to connect and reactivate his connection.

In their posts on the websites, both the EET and the Hellenic Financial Ombudsman come back by giving answers to current questions in the context of the information campaign.

Frequently asked questions and answers

Question: In the last few days I have received several e-mails and SMS. In these messages my “bank” tells me that “suspicious activity has been observed” on my account or card or that my account or card has been “locked or disabled”. The messages contain a link and urge me to immediately follow the instructions in it to solve the problem and unblock my access.

Answer: These messages do NOT come from your bank (in fact, sometimes they seem to be sent by a bank you don’t even have a relationship with). They are phishing messages and aim to trick you into entering your ebanking passwords or your card details and the One-Time Codes (OTPs) you receive at the time on a fraudulent website identical to your bank’s and are required to authorize transactions.

The answer to all these malicious attempts is simple. We never give our personal information to anyone who asks for it. Your Bank will never ask you for such a thing.

Question: I recently posted an ad online to sell some of my personal items. I received a call from a stranger who said he was interested in buying it without even seeing or inspecting it. But he asked me to give him my card details or my e-Banking codes so he could deposit the money to me. Should I give them my details? should I trust him?

Answer: No, you shouldn’t. To deposit money, it is enough just to provide the IBAN of your account. Never disclose your ebanking passwords or card details or any One Time Passwords (OTPs) you receive at that time.

Also, in case the buyer claims to have deposited the money into your account, check the exact amount yourself only through your eBanking. Do not rely on any proof of deposit that may be provided or sent to you. They may be fake.

Question: I recently received a phone call from overseas, and the caller told me (in English) that he was a technician from a large IT company and that my computer was infected with malware and he could fix the problem. But I didn’t believe him and hung up. Did I do well?

Answer: Yes. This is an attempt to deceive. If you continued it would ask you to install remote access software and thus gain full control over your computer. Then, under the pretext of fixing the problem, the fraudster would ask you for your e-Banking login codes and try to make money transfers from your accounts himself. Don’t trust your computer to strangers. If someone calls you from an unknown number, especially from abroad, and claims to be from any IT company, without you reporting any damage to your device, end the call. Do not install remote management software recommended by a stranger.

Question: I was asked to broker a money transfer by offering a fee to deposit money into my account. Is there any problem; It’s illegal;

Answer: No it is illegal. If you are approached by e-mail or through social networks or through advertisements and ask you to transfer money (which will have previously been in your account) to third party accounts usually in other countries or to give it to them by withdrawing from an ATM or store , keeping a percentage as a commission, you should know that they are trying to trick you into mediating the transfer of illegal money (money muling) and that this act is prosecuted.

Therefore:

do not accept to mediate as an intermediary in the transfer of money from other people, usually unknown to you. You may suffer significant consequences, as this way you are involved in illegal activities, whether you know it or not
if you receive a suspicious e-mail (email), do not reply and do not follow any indicated link (link);
cross-check the details of the company offering the job and its contact details (especially if it is based abroad),
never give your bank account details to anyone, unless you have a permanent relationship with them, or they are a member of your close family circle.
if you believe you have been involved in an illegal money transfer, do not make any other money transfer that you may be asked to do. Immediately notify your bank, the service where you made the transaction and the police.

Question: In general, what should I do to avoid becoming a victim of online fraud?

Answer: Your partner bank or banks have posted useful tips on their websites so that you don’t fall victim to fraud.

In any case, some basic instructions are listed below, in order to carry out your online transactions as safely as possible:

You enter your Bank’s email address yourself to access online banking services. Do not follow results from search engines.
Make sure you are navigating the Bank’s secure environment. Check if the link you are entering (https://www………gr) corresponds to the e-mail address of your Bank. Click the lock icon to check that the connection is listed as secure.

Carefully check the transaction described in the Bank’s message (e.g. via sms, viber or mobile app) with the one-time OTP code, before confirming it.
Avoid using public or shared networks.
Never save your passwords on any of your devices.
Change your passwords at least every six months.
Strengthen the security of your devices by keeping an up-to-date anti-malware program and regularly updating their operating system.
Check that the e-mail address details of the e-mails you receive correspond to the name of the person who appears as their sender, especially when a) this person belongs to your contact list, b) it is alleged to be your Bank or c) another well-known company providing products and services.
Ignore and delete messages of dubious origin that you receive on your electronic devices and applications and do not follow links that include and refer to websites.
Do not disclose your confidential information such as username, password ( password), your card details (number, CVV and PIN verification code), OTP (One Time Password) and other numeric codes.
Always use the most up-to-date versions of Internet browsers (eg Chrome, Microsoft Edge, etc.), which ensure advanced security design.
Contact your Bank immediately if you suspect your security codes have been leaked.
Question. Lately, I have been receiving frequent phone calls from unknown numbers, during which a supposed representative of an investment company offers me investment opportunities “on my own”, with a quick and guaranteed return. I wonder if I should trust him with my money.

Answer: Be careful there is a serious risk of cheating you.

Do not trust those who promise you safe investments with high, fast and guaranteed profits.

If you wish to make an investment, first make sure that the company has a license from the Capital Market Commission or another European Authority. Make sure that it is either covered by the Deposit and Investment Guarantee Fund (TEKE), or participates in the Guarantee Fund or another foreign body that guarantees your investment. Visit the following sites: www.cmc.gov.gr www.ethe.org.gr www.smexa.gr https://www.syneggiitiko.gr/

Question: In the event that I fall victim to electronic fraud and report it to my partner Bank, is there another body I can turn to immediately? Also if I fall victim to investment fraud is there a body I can turn to?

Answer: Yes, in both cases you should report the fraud incident:

At the police station nearest to you or at the Electronic Crime Prosecution Directorate (DIDE) of the Hellenic Police.

Telephone: 11188
Fax: 213-1527471
Email: [email protected]
through the portal at: https://goo.gl/vOHdVb
Postal address: 173 Alexandra St., P.O. 11522, Athens
Question: Lately I have seen on TV and heard on the radio about a campaign to inform and raise public awareness about online fraud under the slogan “One Pause Is Enough to Avoid Online Fraud”. Where can I go to find more information about this campaign?

Answer: You can refer to the website of the Hellenic Banking Association (HBA (https://www.hba.gr/info/PhishingCamp)) to obtain more information about this specific campaign, a product of cooperation between the Ministry of Citizen Protection, the Bank of of Greece, the Hellenic Police and the Hellenic Banking Association.It started at the end of 2021 and continues in 2022.

Question: Where can I go for more information about the different types of online and investment fraud that exist?

Answer: On the website of the Hellenic Banking Union (EET) there is posted all the material of the various campaigns to inform and raise public awareness of electronic fraud, such as: the one concerning cyber fraud (CyberScams), https://old. hba.gr/News/Details/1509 and
that which concerns the transporters of illegal money (European Money Mule Action – EMMA). https://old.hba.gr/News/Details/36
Furthermore, on the EET website there are useful announcements on various typologies of fraud (e.g. fraud through SIM card change, “alleged technical support” fraud, telephone frauds, etc.) in the context of continuous information and awareness of the trading public.

More tips to avoid defrauding citizens are available in a special banner on the website of the Hellenic Police (www.hellenicpolice.gr). In addition, information and advice on incidents of electronic fraud are available on the website of the Electronic Crime Prosecution Directorate www.cyberalert.gr.

SOURCE: EVIMA.GR

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