2024-08-01 09:35:39
Fraud Ticker
New scam: Fake emails in the name of Spotify
Updated on 31.07.2024 – 15:02Reading time: 8 min.
Fraudsters are always coming up with new ways to cheat people out of their money. We’ll show you how they’re currently being ripped off.
There is a real wave of rip-offs currently hitting consumers. Fraudsters are trying to gain access to sensitive data, credit cards and accounts, primarily through digital channels. You can always read the latest scams they are currently using here.
A new scam affects the popular audio streaming platform Spotify. Fake emails are currently circulating with the subject “Update your payment information for Spotify Premium”. The scammers are using this to obtain personal data and payment information.
The emails claim that the customer’s payment for the next billing period could not be processed. Recipients are asked to confirm their payment information by clicking on a link to prevent possible “disruptions in your system.” The link is labeled “Update payment information.”
How can you protect yourself? The consumer advice center advises you to check sender addresses carefully. You can often recognize so-called phishing emails by unusual or slightly different email addresses. Also, do not simply click on the links without being sure of their authenticity.
The consumer advice center also points out that reputable companies like Spotify would not request sensitive data via email. So never give out your personal data such as passwords or payment information this way. If you are unsure about the sender of an email, it is best to contact the provider’s customer service directly.
Almost three quarters of all online fraud cases affect the younger generations – Millennials (28 to 43 years old) and Generation Z (18 to 27 years old). This was the result of an analysis of the cases reported to the digital bank Revolut. According to this, the younger generation lost an average of around 474 euros per fraud case. The older generations were less likely to fall victim to fraudsters, but when they did, they lost significantly more money.
Generation X (44 to 59 year olds) reported a total of 12 percent of fraud cases and lost more than 1,300 euros per case. Baby boomers (60 to 78 year olds) made up 15 percent and, according to Revolut, lost an average of 18,000 euros per fraud case.
Across all generations, it was clear that social networks were the source of most fraud cases. Many people also fell victim to fraudsters on fake websites.
The White Ring – a non-profit organization that supports victims of crime and prevents crime – warns against the scam of so-called marriage scammers on the Internet. The scammers particularly target middle-aged women. “Among 40 and 50-year-old women, there are always cases in which a man seeks contact with them and then deceives them into believing they are in a relationship,” explains Lena Weilbacher from the White Ring in Mainz.
Often it is about the victims’ money. The fraudsters give the women false information in order to pressure them into paying. The perpetrators try to avoid a personal meeting. However, conversations can often take place in virtual space.
“The women are deeply shocked when they find out the truth. They feel lied to, abandoned and doubt their ability to understand human nature,” says Weilbacher. The shame is great. The women can, however, file a criminal complaint. According to Weilbacher, it is important to secure evidence – for example with screenshots and archiving messages.
The NRW consumer advice center is warning of fraudulent emails that are disguised as AOK messages and are currently circulating more and more frequently. According to the report, criminals are using this scam to obtain sensitive personal data. The email claims that customers urgently need to apply for a new health card because the old one is no longer valid and the insurance company is no longer covering the costs.
These claims are lies, according to the consumer advice center. Anyone who clicks on the “Send my request” button ends up on a fake website and provides their data to the criminals, who then use it for further abuse such as identity theft. It is therefore best to move such emails immediately to the spam folder and under no circumstances open the attachments.
If you are unsure, you should contact your health insurance company directly – but be careful when looking for contact details. Always use the number on your health insurance card or enter the official web address directly in your browser. If you have already fallen for this trick, you should report it to the police immediately and also inform your health insurance company.