1. Sense of urgency or threat
A message may make you believe that loan applications have been made in your name, you have invoices under debt collection or unusual activities have been detected in your account. The aim is to make you alarmed. At the same time, you’re asked to take urgent action to save your money or details.
2. Payment and login links
A scam message may include a link through which you’re asked to log in to the online bank, make a card payment or update your personal data. The link may lead to a page of a bank or another company that looks real but is a hoax site nevertheless. If you enter your details on the page, they will end up in the hands of scammers.
3. A request to confirm a payment transferred to your account
When you’re about to receive money, you never need to confirm incoming payments. Such requests are scams that you may run into in online second-hand stores or Messenger, for example. A scammer tells you that they need your banking user ID or payment card details to verify that the payment recipient is correct.
You may receive such a scam message in Messenger in one of your friends’ name if a scammer has taken over their account. In an online second-hand store, you may receive this type of a message from a “buyer” who tries to make you believe that they have paid for your product and asks you to click a link in a form to enter your banking user ID or payment card details so that you can receive your money.
4. A request to call immediately
A scam message may also include a phone number that you’re asked to call immediately. Always check the correct service numbers on the page of the bank or company. Don’t call the scammer!
5. A suggestion to install a program or app
A scammer may ask you to download a program on your phone or computer through a link or attachment. Don’t do what you’re asked to do. Using links and attachments, scammers can install malware on your device to take over your device and access your online bank.
6. Typing errors and unusual website addresses
Check the message sender’s name and the contact details indicated in the message with care. For example, are there typing errors in the email address or is there something suspicious in the address? Do the contact details given in the message match the information listed on the company’s official website?
7. Big and surprising promises
A surprising win in a prize draw or an incredibly profitable investment? Be cautious if you’re promised something that seems too good to be true. Big promises offer scammers a way to manipulate people.
