Consumer advocates warn of a fraudulent email that supposedly comes from the Sparkasse - and looks deceptively real.
Frankfurt - The technology used in the fight against cyber attacks is becoming more and more sophisticated.
Nevertheless, fraudsters manage to access sensitive data again and again.
Because even the improved technology doesn't help against the biggest weak point in the system: the people.
Consumers are often fooled by social manipulation and then voluntarily reveal their data.
At the moment, fraudsters are sending e-mails that supposedly come from the Sparkasse and are supposed to introduce a new security system.
Internet users should therefore be particularly careful.
Consumer advocates: how to deal with fraudulent emails
Criminals are currently sending phishing e-mails that supposedly come from the Sparkasse and look deceptively real. In it, the hackers try to access the user's account data. The consumer center Saxony-Anhalt is currently warning against this practice. The hacker email has an official-looking Sparkasse logo. In the message, the scammers inform consumers about an alleged new security procedure called "S-Cert". This should protect the customer's data particularly well and be introduced due to a new data protection reform.
The phishing email then prompts you to find out about the changes via a link.
Logging in to your own account is also conveniently possible using a button.
"This is exactly what consumers shouldn't do, but rather move the mail unanswered into the spam folder in order to protect themselves from possible data abuse," explained the consumer advice center, as reported by the German press agency.
Phishing: Alleged savings bank email is not an isolated case
Phishing is one of the most popular social engineering methods used by cyber criminals. Companies are also struggling with this, the number of cyber attacks has been increasing since the Corona crisis. The basic principle of phishing is always the same: a fraudster pretends to be someone else in order to steal customer data or money. This works via emails, but also via WhatsApp, SMS, fake real estate advertisements or phone calls. In one call, the criminal claims to work at the bank and to ask for a TAN over the phone for security reasons. Those who fall for the fraudsters then voluntarily give their own data.
Customers protect themselves against both spam emails and telephone phishing with a simple rule of thumb: Financial institutions never request sensitive customer data by email or telephone.
When in doubt, customers should delete emails and end calls immediately.
In the event of suspicion, consumers contact the police and their bank directly.
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