The New Cyber ​​Scams: Everything You Need To Know

The public information and awareness campaign for electronic fraud that started in 2021 with the cooperation of the forces of the Ministry of Civil Protection, the Bank of Greece, the Hellenic Police and the Hellenic Banking Association (EET) continues and has contributed significantly to the reduction of incidents in an extremely small percentage of all transactions.

In their posts on the websites, both EET and the Greek Financial Ombudsman return with answers to topical 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, the “bank” tells me that “suspicious activity has been observed” on my account or card or that “my account or card has been locked or deactivated”. The messages contain a link and urge me to immediately follow the instructions in it to solve the problem and to unblock my access.

Answer: These messages do NOT COME from your bank (in fact, sometimes they seem to be sent by a bank with which you do not even cooperate). They are phishing messages and aim to trick you into posting on a fraudulent website identical to your bank your ebanking passwords or card details as well as the one-time passwords (OTPs) you are currently receiving. and are required for transaction approval.

The answer to all these malicious attempts is one and simple. We never give our personal information to anyone who asks for it. Your bank will never ask you to do that.

Question : I recently posted an ad on the internet to sell some of my personal items. I received a phone call from a stranger who told me that he was interested in buying it, without even seeing it or checking it. However, he asked me to give him my card details or my e-Banking codes so that he could deposit my money. Should I give my details? to trust him?

Answer: No, you should not. To deposit money, all you have to do is enter the IBAN of your account. Never reveal your ebanking codes or card details or any one-time (OTP) codes you will receive at that time.

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

Question: I recently received a phone call from abroad, 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 could fix the problem. But I did not believe him and hung up the phone. Did I do well?

Answer: Yes. This is an attempt at deception. If you continue, it will ask you to install remote access software and thus gain full control over your computer. Then, the scammer, under the pretext of fixing the problem, would ask for your login codes in your e-Banking and would try to make money transfers from your accounts himself. Do not 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 having reported a fault in your device, end the call. Do not install remote management software suggested by a stranger.

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

Answer: Yes it is illegal. If they reach you via email or social media or through ads and ask you to transfer money (which will have previously been into 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 be aware that they are trying to deceive you to mediate the transfer of money muling and that this act is prosecuted.

Therefore:

• do not accept to be an intermediary in the circulation of money by other people, usually unknown to you. You can have a significant impact, as this way you are involved in illegal activities, whether you know it or not.
• if you receive a suspicious email, do not reply to or follow any link provided,
• 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 more permanent partnership with him, or he is a member of your immediate family.
• If you believe that you have been involved in money laundering, do not make any other money transfers that may be requested of you. Notify your bank immediately, the service in which you carried out the transaction and the police.

Question: In general, what should I do to avoid being the victim of cyber fraud?

Answer: Your bank or affiliate banks have posted helpful tips on their websites to help you avoid being scammed.

In any case, here are some basic instructions to carry out your online transactions as safely as possible:

• Enter your Bank’s e-mail address for your access to e-banking services. Do not follow search engine results.
• Make sure you navigate the safe environment of the Bank. Check if the link you enter (https: //www………gr) corresponds to the email address of your Bank. Click the padlock icon to verify that the connection is secure.
• Carefully check the transaction described in the Bank’s message (eg via sms, viber or mobile app application) with the one-time OTP code, before confirming it.
• Avoid using public or shared networks.
• Never store your passwords on any of your devices.
• You change your passwords at least every six months.
• Enhance the security of your devices by maintaining an up-to-date malware protection program and regularly updating their operating system.
• Check that the email addresses of the emails you receive correspond to the name of the person who appears as their sender, especially when (a) that person is on your contact list, (b) is said 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 web pages.
• Do not disclose to third parties (eg interested buyers, prospective customers), by phone, mobile phone, email, Internet form, social media and other media, 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 Internet browsers (eg Chrome, Microsoft Edge, etc.), which provide advanced security design.
• Contact your Bank immediately, in any case of suspected leakage of your security codes.

Question. Lately I often receive phone calls from unknown numbers, during which a supposed representative of an investment company offers me investment opportunities “to my liking”, with fast and guaranteed return. I wonder if I should trust him with my money.

Answer: Beware there is a serious risk of being deceived.

• 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 is licensed by the Hellenic 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 Institution that secures your investment. Visit the following sites: www.cmc.gov.gr www.ethe.org.gr www.smexa.gr https://www.syneggiitiko.gr/

Question: In case I am a victim of cyber fraud and I report it to my Cooperation Bank, is there any other institution that I can contact immediately? Also if I fall victim to investment fraud is there a body I can turn to?

Answer: Yes, in both cases you will have to report the fraud:

• to the police station closest to you or
• at the Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate (HEDNO) of the Greek Police

Telephone: 11188

Fax: 213-1527471

Email: [email protected]

• via the portal at: https://goo.gl/vOHdVb

Postal address: 173 Alexandras Ave., PC 11522, Athens

Question: I recently saw on TV and heard on the radio about an information and public awareness campaign on cyber fraud with the slogan “One Pause Enough to Avoid Cyber ​​Fraud”. Where can I go to find out more about this campaign?

Answer: You can refer to the website of the Hellenic Banking Association (EET) (https://www.hba.gr/info/PhishingCamp) to get more information about this campaign, a product of cooperation between the Ministry of Citizen Protection, the Bank 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 find more information on the various typologies of cyber fraud and investment fraud?

Answer: On the website of the Hellenic Banking Association (EET) there is posted all the material of the various information and public awareness campaigns for electronic frauds, such as:

• the one concerning cyber scams (CyberScams), https://old.hba.gr/News/Details/1509 and
• of 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 (eg fraud through SIM card change, fraud of “alleged technical support”, telephone fraud, etc.) in the context of timely information and awareness of the trading public.

More tips to avoid deceiving citizens are available in a special banner on the website of the Greek Police (www.hellenicpolice.gr). In addition, information and advice on cyber fraud cases are available on the website of the Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate www.cyberalert.gr.

Check out the news feed and stay up to date with the latest news.