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They are asked to update their online access to the bank account, otherwise it will expire in the next few days.
A link will be sent with these messages. In order to continue using the bank app, recipients are asked to follow this link and then enter their (real) bank details in a form on a fake website.
In reality, it is a scam and the link leads to a fake (but deceptively real) page of the respective bank. Some of the fake pages are designed so professionally that at first glance there are no differences to the genuine, actual websites of the banks.
The perpetrators then use the entered bank details for fraudulent transfers, purchases or withdrawals. These usually happen immediately, which is why immediate action is required on the part of the victims should the scam be discovered afterwards.
The Federal Criminal Police Office warns:
- Never follow a link sent to you via SMS. Reputable banks will never send you links to unlock your account!
- Never give out details of your bank account and/or your payment cards when asked to do so if the sender is unknown to you!
- If you want to check the content of the message for truthfulness, go to the website of the company, bank or authority by entering the Internet address manually and find out about warnings or customer service there. Do not follow the links to a homepage via the received message!
- If in doubt, contact your personal bank support and inquire about the truthfulness of the message sent to you!
- In the event of damage, notify your bank immediately and then report it to a police station!
- Only install apps from known sources or known stores, do not do this via a link in a message!
Source: Nachrichten
