How to recognise a scam call?
Scammers also place calls frequently in the name of banks and the authorities. While the caller may sound very convincing and professional, certain signs reveal that you’re speaking with a scammer. If you suspect a scam call, stop the call immediately. Don’t do anything the caller asks you to do.
1. Unknown caller
If you receive a call from an unknown caller or suspicious number, stay alert. Check the contact details of banks and other companies on their official websites.
2. Sense of urgency or threat
Scammers typically try to make you believe that your money or personal data is somehow at risk. At the same time, they advise you to act quickly; for example, transfer your funds to a safe place or disclose your banking details to help solve the situation.
3. Requesting banking user ID or login information
Banks, the authorities or any other reliable parties never ask you to disclose your banking user ID or password on the phone.
4. A request to transfer your funds to a “secure account”
Banks or the authorities never use any secure accounts, to which you could transfer your funds following instructions given on the phone. Such a situation is a scam, and the account belongs to the scammer.
Banks never ask you to personally transfer your funds to a safe place. If a bank suspects fraud, it may restrict payments without any action required from the customer.
5. A request to cancel a payment
Scammers may claim that a payment has been charged from your account or card, which you should cancel for your safety. Don’t react to such requests, as they are always scams. Once a payment has been made, it can no longer be cancelled.
6. A request to confirm a payment during a call
Banks never ask you to confirm payments during a call. Furthermore, banks’ customer service representatives never get angry or try to pressure you if you refuse and try to stop the call.
Remember to always read all confirmation emails sent to you with care. If the information given in a confirmation email does not correspond to what you’re doing, don’t confirm anything.
7. 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.
8. 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.