You get a short, alarming text: “Your card has been blocked”, “Your account is frozen”, “Suspicious login detected”. It contains a link or a number you must “call urgently”.
The link opens a fake page that looks just like your bank's website. It asks for your card details, password and the code from an SMS. If you call the number, a “bank employee” answers — and the conversation again ends with a request for the code.
The sender name can sometimes look like the bank's name. Pressure in the text (“within 24 hours”, “or your funds will be debited”) is there to make you act without thinking.
How to protect yourself
- Don't tap links in such texts and don't call the numbers they give.
- Check your card only in your bank's official app or via the number on the back of the card.
- Always look at the website address: even one extra letter means it is fake.
- Never enter an SMS code on a website to “unblock your card”.
- Already entered your details? Call your bank immediately.
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