The police are paying attention to a new method of fraud aimed at bank customers. They can be contacted by e-mail or SMS by people who pretend to be employees of the bank’s anti-fraud department and ask for card details and a security code under the pretext of a “suspicious” payment, News.ro reports. .

A new method of fraud called “spoofing” involves the transmission of messages by email or SMS, apparently sent by verified banking institutions, about a suspicious payment made by people who have bank accounts.

“In this context, the victims are contacted by various people who present themselves as employees of the anti-fraud department from some banking institutions in Romania. Calls are usually made from phone numbers that look like bank branch numbers. The caller claims there is a suspicious payment and requests personal information, card details and a security code to cancel the transaction. It is important to note that banking institutions will never ask you for personal information or security codes by phone or SMS!”; reported through a press release published on Sunday by police representatives.

They advise bank users to always verify the authenticity of incoming calls or messages, especially when large sums of money or personal data are involved.

Bank cardholders should never disclose personal information or security codes to strangers.

“If you have any doubts about the legality of the call or message, contact the relevant banking institution directly using the official contact numbers,” the authorities’ message to the bank’s customers says.