Online transactions: “Alarm” for new forms of fraud – What to watch out for – Examples |

Vigilantes regarding the safe use of electronic services and their information about the modern forms of electronic fraud that prevail on the Internet are called the traders at European and consequently at national level due to the rise of modern forms of fraud that prevail on the Internet. In this context, recommendations are constantly made to the traders for thorough information and great attention to the communication via e-mails, to the provision of personal data to third parties, to the choice of PIN and in general to their activity on social media.

Increase in e-commerce to historically high levels and the simultaneous emergence of new forms of fraud

However, at the same time that due to the pandemic, transactions through alternative digital networks have increased rapidly, to historically high levels, a trend that is estimated to remain after the end of the pandemic, new forms of fraud are appearing internationally and in the Hellas.

As typically mentioned on the occasion of the information and public awareness campaign on “cyber scams” launched by Europol, in collaboration with the European Banking Federation (ETO) in the context of the European Cyber ​​Security Month, in the information material With the typology of cyber fraud and prevention, the following 4 new forms of fraud have been added: Alleged technical support fraud, electronic fraud through telephone communication, identity theft, and SIM Swapping fraud.

Already in the relevant list were: CEO fraud (CEO Fraud), fraud through invoices and other documents (invoice Fraud), fraudulent phone calls (vishing), fraudulent SMS (smishing), fraudulent emails (phishing) ), spoofed bank websites, romance scam, and personal data theft. Also investment scams and online shopping scams.

Creation of a coordinating body in our country

In the middle of last month it was decided to set up a coordination center for cyber fraud and interception of bank card data and electronic banking codes with the technique of “fishing” -phishing, with the participation of the Hellenic Police, the Bank of Greece, the Hellenic Banking Association (EET) and other co-competent bodies and services. It was also decided to immediately launch a major information campaign for citizens, with tips for protecting them from cunning scammers. The decisions were taken in a wide-ranging meeting held at the Ministry of Civil Protection, with Minister Takis Theodorikakos and the participation, among others, of the Deputy Minister of Civil Protection, the Chief of the Hellenic Police, the Governor of the Bank of Greece, the President of the Hellenic Union Banks and the general secretary as well as a large number of officials.

In our country, the ways of consumer protection have already begun to become known to the general public, both through the Hellenic Banking Association and the Cybercrime Prosecution, which have made relevant announcements, as well as through competent bank executives who inform the traders through public interventions, but and bank announcements on their websites.

A month of informing and raising public awareness about “cyber scams”

Actions are underway in the context of the month of informing and raising public awareness about cyber scams launched by Europol, in cooperation with the European Banking Federation (ETO) in the framework of the European Cyber ​​Security Month.

On the website of the Hellenic Association of EET Banks (https://www.hba.gr/News/Details/1509) there are references for detailed information on the Europol website for informing and raising public awareness about cyber fraud. Also the announcement of Europol and ETO (Greek and English version) as well as the new information material of the campaign in Greek. Also the old (already from 2018) information material of the campaign in Greek.

From this extensive material that is freely accessible from the EET website, only a few indicative examples are mentioned in the first singular to consumers and ways of prevention and actions are recommended in case the trader falls victim to fraud.

SCENARIO 1: How to identify online scams

-You receive an SMS from the perpetrator George, who pretends to work at your co-operation bank. You click on the electronic link of the SMS.

-You are redirected to a website that looks like that of your affiliate bank

-You enter your security credentials (user name & password).

The perpetrator George now has access to your financial information and the history of your recent electronic transactions. He calls you pretending to be a bank clerk and lists your details.

The perpetrator George persuades you to transfer money to another bank account which he controls.

How to protect yourself from cyber fraud

Beware of spam or emails claiming to come from your affiliate bank.

2. If they contain links and attachments, do not open them.

3. If you receive a suspicious call from the bank you work with, hang up the phone and verify the call by calling the bank’s customer service department.

4. Never disclose your security credentials (user name & password) or passwords to execute a payment transaction (eg SMS OTP).

5. If you think you have been the victim of a scam, contact your co-worker bank immediately and report the incident to the police.

SCENARIO 2: How to identify alleged technical support fraud

The perpetrator Christina calls you pretending to be the technical support provider, claiming that there is a problem with your computer software. Your phone identification service displays a phone number from a reputable telecommunications company. The perpetrator Christina urges you to act quickly, otherwise you will lose all your data. He recommends that you download a program that will solve the problem.

The program you downloaded gives her access to your computer and all your data. He asks you for a small fee for the service provided, in order to force you to connect to the e-banking environment of your partner bank. The perpetrator Christina now has access to your bank account and can proceed with the execution of transactions.

Protection against alleged technical support fraud

1. Do not answer phone calls from anyone who claims there is a problem with your computer.

2. Download / upgrade software only from official websites.

3. Report the incident to the police and the actual service provider.

4. I block the fraudsters’ phone numbers so that they can not call you again.

SCENARIO 3 – Theft of identity data

Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information (eg name, credit card number, social security number, driver’s license number, police ID or passport number, VAT number, etc.) for fraudulent purposes.

How to identify identity theft

Scammer George posts a job posting on social media. You submit your application (CV, cover letter, etc.) and your personal details (passport, identity card, VAT number). The rogue George uses your personal information along with his photo to create a new identity.

The rogue George goes to a bank and uses the fake ID to open a bank account. Uses the bank account to make illegal transactions.

Protection against identity theft

1. Verify all requests for your personal data.

2. Limit the number of personal data you share online (eg on social media).

3. Regularly monitor your online banking activities and your credit card transactions.

4. To keep your email safe, empty your inbox as soon as possible.

5. If you believe you are a victim of identity theft, contact your co-operation bank immediately, gather all possible information and report the incident to the police.

SCENARIO 4 – Scam to change SIM card on your mobile phone

A SIM card fraud occurs when a scammer, using social engineering techniques, takes control of your mobile phone’s SIM card using your stolen personal data.

How does it work

An perpetrator obtains the personal data of the victim through e.g. data breaches, cyber-fishing, social media searches, malicious applications, online shopping, malware, etc. With this information, the scammer tricks the mobile service provider into transferring the victim’s mobile phone number to a SIM card in his possession.

The victim will notice the loss of signal on his mobile phone and will eventually find that he does not have access to his bank account via the internet. The offender can now receive incoming calls and SMS messages, including access to the victim’s electronic banking environment, SMS OTP to approve a cash transaction, etc.

Are you a victim?

If your mobile phone loses the signal for no reason, report the incident immediately to your telecommunications provider. If your telecommunications provider confirms that your SIM card has been changed, report the incident to the police.

Ways to protect – What you can do

• Keep your software up to date, including your browser, antivirus software, and operating system.

• Limit the sharing of information and pay special attention to social media.

• Never open suspicious email links or attachments that you receive via email or SMS.

• Do not reply to suspicious emails or communicate by telephone with people requesting your personal information.

• Download applications only from official providers and always read the permissions of the applications.

• If possible, do not associate your phone number with sensitive online accounts.

• Set your own PIN to restrict access to your SIM card.

• Do not share your PIN with anyone.

• Check your financial transactions often.

• Update your passwords regularly

If your mobile phone loses the signal for no reason, report the incident immediately to your telecommunications provider. If your telecommunications provider confirms that your SIM card has been changed, report the incident to the police.