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Caution: Attempts to steal credit card details and bank accounts from citizens continue - voila! technology

2023-05-17T07:47:27.630Z

Highlights: The Israel Internet Association warns: Increasing attempts to steal credit card details and bank accounts of Israelis while posing as financial institutions. The most common phishing attempts in Israel are usually carried out by sending text messages to the phone with a link to a website masquerading as an official website. The accelerated transition to digital financial services and online payments opens the door and opportunity for criminals and various entities who are trying to trap innocent consumers, says Yonatan Ben-Horin, director of the Safe Internet Helpline.


The Israel Internet Association warns: Increasing attempts to steal credit card details and bank accounts of Israelis while posing as financial institutions. Here's how to take care of yourself


Cyberattack (Photo: ShutterStock)

In the past two weeks, there has been an increase in the number of reports of phishing attempts, according to a report by the Israel Internet Association on Wednesday morning. Phishing is a type of cyberattack when a hostile actor impersonates a legitimate entity, such as financial or government institutions, to trick people into sharing sensitive information (passwords, credit card number) or installing malware to steal information from them.

The reports, which reach the Safe Internet Helpline operated by the Internet Association, indicate attempts to impersonate various financial institutions, such as banks or online payment services. According to the association, the most common phishing attempts in Israel are usually carried out by sending text messages to the phone with a link to a website masquerading as an official website, in order to trick the user into entering the site and enter credit card details or passwords into his bank account.

In addition, they note that most phishing attempts pose as delivery services, banks or essential services such as the electric company, etc., and manipulate the recipient to enter the link and fill in its details so as not to lose the shipment or any service they are supposed to receive.

"The accelerated transition to digital financial services and online payments opens the door and opportunity for criminals and various entities who are trying to trap innocent consumers," says Yonatan Ben-Horin, director of the Israel Internet Association's Safe Internet Helpline. "The frequent use of sending links and text messages only exacerbates the situation and requires great caution. It is important to remember that on the web, not every website or profile is what it looks like. It is important to exercise great caution and suspicion and follow the recommendations for checking websites and links before filling in sensitive details such as bank account and credit."

Ng impersonates delivery services, banks or essential services such as an electric company and the like (Photo: ShutterStock)

Adopt five basic rules and warning signs

Beware of suspicious links: Be alert and suspicious of any links you receive via emails and/or SMS messages purportedly from a bank or other financial service provider. Prefer to perform actions such as updating details, various payments and contacting us directly on the website or in the application of the official bank/financial institution and not through a link sent to you proactively. Check if the same message came from an official channel or website. Sometimes the message will come from a sender with a textual ID with the name of the service or bank - which is also easy to fake and is not unique.

Don't let messages that convey urgency or threat trick you: Phishing messages are designed to create a sense of urgency, urgency, or pressure on intended victims to manipulate them into taking immediate action. Actively verify any such urgent request directly with the relevant party, whether it is the bank, credit card company or any other official entity. Do not act recklessly under pressure or threats of closure or disconnection.

Note: Even if the site looks exactly the same as the website of your well-known bank/credit card company, it does not mean that it is the real site. It's very easy to copy and fake the appearance of websites and apps. Look for the URL in the address bar in the browser - check if this is the address you know and if its extension is .il, and look for the lock mark that should appear to the left of the address and make sure that the address is the same as the website of the bank / credit card company you know. Most phishing attempts use addresses similar to the original one, but the real URL cannot be duplicated.

Avoid clicking on shortened links that arrive in SMS messages, the message also comes from a textual number with the name of the service or bank. Many phishing scams use URL shortcuts like bit.ly and others to mask the real address they want to send you to.

Not sure it's a reliable and safe link? Don't stress! Take a screenshot and send it to a close family member or friend to consult with? Suspect they're trying to cheat you? Go to the Safe Internet Helpline page - www.safe.org.il. Having a suspicious SMS, email, or website? Have more questions or concerns about safe internet use? Contact the Israel Internet Association.

  • technology
  • Privacy & Security

Tags

  • scam
  • Phishing

Source: walla

All tech articles on 2023-05-17

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