2024-02-21 08:39:28
Fraudsters are always coming up with new scams to trick people out of their money. We’ll show you how people are currently being ripped off.
It is a real wave of rip-offs that is currently hitting consumers. Fraudsters primarily try to gain access to sensitive data, credit cards and accounts through digital channels. You can always read up-to-date information about which stitch you are currently using here.
++ False Edeka voucher for 500 euros (February 20, 2024) ++
At the beginning of this week, many German inboxes were again flooded with fraudulent emails. Within a few hours, fake letters arrived from Edeka, Google, the parcel service DPD and many other alleged senders. Behind the emails are fraudsters who want to lure consumers to their websites with false promises, steal sensitive data and then empty their accounts.
The false Edeka letter promises a gift voucher worth 500 euros (“100% free and without conditions”). The fake Gmail promises 50 GB of additional free storage space and the DPD letter reports that a package delivery failed and a signature is required.
The North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Protection Center warns recipients to pay particular attention to the sender addresses. When you click on it, the real sender is revealed – example DPD: fatmaavcioglu@fetisch.de. “As always, we recommend moving the email to the spam folder if left unanswered,” write the consumer advocates.
++ Consumer advocates warn ING customers (February 19, 2024) ++
The NRW consumer advice center warns customers of ING Bank (formerly ING-DiBa) not to fall for the phishing email shown. The fake email begins with an indirect salutation, then thanks for the customer’s trust. The email also states that the security and functionality of the app should be increased, which is why a review of customer data is necessary.
“So far, the tone of the email is still quite friendly. In the end, however, pressure is still being exerted in order to increase the chance of data being disclosed,” warn the consumer advocates. The scam email says that if you have not checked your data by February 25, 2024, you will be summoned for a personal interview.
An empty threat, since ING has no customer service on site in Germany. “At this point, at the latest, the attempted fraud can be recognized. As always, we recommend moving the unanswered email to the spam folder,” write the consumer advocates.
++ Scammers pose as financial advisors (February 17, 2024) ++
Fraudsters defrauded a senior citizen in Panketal near Berlin of a five-figure sum of cash. As the police announced on Friday, the perpetrators had posed as supposed financial advisors over the past few months and solicited investments from the man with the prospect of dividends. However, they demanded a five-figure sum in cash. The older gentleman sent the cash by post. According to a police spokesman, the amount was less than 20,000 euros.
When the man received no profit from the apparent investment on Thursday, he realized the fraud. According to the information, the criminal police have started the investigation. “However, the victim’s money appears to be lost for now,” officials wrote in a press release.
++ Criminals hijack cell phone numbers (February 16, 2024) ++
Total loss for victims: Police warn of a scam called SIM swapping. This is what it is called when fraudsters order a new SIM card in your name and lock you out of their own number. This is now also happening with eSIMs and has far-reaching consequences, reports the Lower Saxony State Criminal Police Office (LKA).
The officials explain: “First, the perpetrators take over the Internet customer account from the mobile phone provider, then they order an eSIM for the cell phone contract there. With the help of the surprised victim.”
The perfidious thing about the scam is that the criminals lure their victims onto the wrong track in order to cover up the planned identity theft. You call using a mobile phone number and pretend to be a parcel delivery person: a shipment is being delivered. However, for security reasons or because of an allegedly incorrect address, this can only be delivered if a code is given that comes via short message. The victims then actually receive an SMS.