Scam calls have been used by fraudsters for ages, manipulating people to make payments or to reveal their identifiers. For a scam to work, usually the customer has to perform a certain action, such as confirm payments or make a credit transfer.
This autumn fraudsters have become bolder, knocking on the doors of elderly people in particular to gain access to account access instruments and mobile devices. This enables them to use a card or online banking user ID without the customer playing any part. There have also been cases of customers who have been pressured to confirm credit transfers in their homes.
If a customer's funds on their account are under attack, there is no reason for a bank to come to the customer's home. If you suspect misconduct, please contact your bank's customer service right away to explain what has happened. If the caller says that they are coming to your home, tell them not to come and, if necessary, call 112.
Here's how to make sure that you are really speaking to a bank customer service representative
- Remember that your bank will never ask you to reveal your user ID and password or ask you to hand over physical account access instruments, such as payment cards or your key code list.
- Check the correct Customer Service number on your bank's homepage.
- If you use the OP-mobile application, you can request confirmation of call details during the phone call. Read our instructions on how to confirm phone calls
Scammers try to exploit a sense of urgency and financial risk
Scammers will try to create a sense of panic and urgency by claiming that your money is at risk in some way. This can cloud your judgement and make you vulnerable to being scammed.
Remember the following tips about safe use of banking services:
- Stay calm and think about the caller's possible intentions, even in unexpected situations that seem urgent.
- No banking matter is so urgent that, if you feel uncomfortable or suspicious, you won't have time to end the call and then call the bank's Customer Service number.
- Banks never use a so-called "safe account", to which money at risk can be moved. Only criminals use this method, when trying to get victims to move their money into the criminal's account.
If you suspect that you have been a victim of fraud
If you need help with assessing a doubtful situation or suspect that you have been a victim of fraud, call our Customer Service on 0100 0500 (personal customers) or 0100 05151 (corporate customers). Our Customer Service is open on Mon–Fri, 8.00–16.00. Outside these times, call OP's Deactivation Service on 0100 0555; this service is open 24/7. Be sure also to call the Customer Service during service hours to report the incident.