2024-02-28 23:19:14
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 about which stitch you are currently using here.
++ Paypal: Fraudsters want to get sensitive data (02/27/2024) ++
PayPal is repeatedly misused by fraudsters for criminal purposes. Now the payment service provider is once again at the center of a fraud scam. As the educational website “mimikama.org” reports, fake emails are currently in circulation again. The letters say, for example, that “suspicious activity” was detected on the account and that it was therefore blocked.
To reactivate the account, you should then log in to Paypal using a button in the email and confirm your phone number. This is how the fraudsters want to get personal data. The news actually looks quite convincing and could certainly give the impression of being official.
According to “Mimikama”, however, this fraud attempt can be easily exposed: Paypal says it always uses the first and last name when writing. In the case of fake emails, however, the salutation is usually completely missing. Those affected should also pay attention to the sender and look out for spelling errors.
++ False Netflix letter with threat (February 23, 2024) ++
Fraudsters are once again trying to get your money with a fake Netflix letter. In the most recent email of this type, they even threaten to permanently close the account and impose a penalty of 39.99 euros if customers do not confirm their billing information by February 24, 2024.
According to the NRW consumer advice center, this sentence is particularly dangerous: “If your payment details are correct, additional authentication by your bank may be required”. Why? It is used to have the bank authorize any transfers to the criminals that are made possible by disclosing the data. “This is therefore a very bold attempt at fraud that is dangerous for your own finances. Do not be intimidated by the empty threat of a closure fee,” warn consumer advocates and advise moving the email to the spam folder.
If customers are still unsure about the authenticity of the email, there is always the option of contacting Netflix.
++ 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.