Although public vigilance is growing, it is still not clear to everyone what a bank truly never asks clients for. A survey conducted by research company “Norstat” in March, commissioned by “Citadele” bank, shows that 78% of residents know that a bank does not ask for sensitive information over the phone, but only 38% understand that a bank never asks to confirm actions via “Smart-ID” over the phone or by messages if the client themselves did not initiate such an action.
Read more Elektrėnai’s «Titanic», a Soviet landfill in Kaunas Lagoon: what do Lithuanian waters hide?
According to Romas Čereška, Head of Development at Citadele Bank, it is this gap that most often allows fraudsters to gain people’s trust.
The most common goal of fraudsters – action confirmation
Some Lithuanian residents have already received payouts after terminating their second-pillar pension accumulation. Fraudsters are actively exploiting this situation.
Recently, cases are increasingly being recorded where residents are called by individuals posing as representatives of banks or other financial institutions. During the conversation, it is explained that there have been issues with payouts, and therefore it is necessary to urgently clarify data. They ask for internet banking login information or to confirm actions via “Smart-ID”.
According to R. Čereška, such requests are one of the clearest signals of fraud. “Investment offers, calls to transfer money to a ‘safe account’ or calls for data verification – these are the most common ways currently used to deceive residents,” he says.
According to the expert, fraudsters rarely act randomly – most often they are prepared in advance. Using publicly available information from social networks or various websites, they can quite accurately determine where you work, what position you hold, which financial institutions you interact with, and even whether you participate in pension accumulation. As a result, their stories sound convincing and raise fewer suspicions.
How to recognize that it is not a bank employee
R. Čereška reminds that there are several clear signs that help identify fraudsters – the bank never asks to disclose this sensitive information.
1. Passwords and login details
Bank employees never ask to disclose internet banking login details, PIN codes, or passwords over the phone or by email. If you receive such a request, it is worth being immediately alert – this is a clear signal that it is fraudsters.
“Even if certain data is needed, the bank can only ask for it when the client themselves initiates contact, and only to confirm identity,” emphasizes R. Čereška.
2. Confirm actions via “Smart-ID”
“Smart-ID” is designed to securely confirm identity, but, according to the expert, it is important to remember what each action means: PIN1 is used for logging in, and PIN2 is for confirming payments and other important actions.
“Every PIN2 entry signifies a specific action. If you unexpectedly receive a request to enter it or it is not clear what exactly is being confirmed, such an action cannot be performed,” says the bank representative.
Read more Shocking incident during a unique celebration in Klaipėda
R. Čereška reminds that banks never ask to confirm actions via “Smart-ID” over the phone or by messages if the client themselves has not initiated a login, payment, or other action. In all cases, it is important to clearly see what exactly you are confirming.
3. Click links or act urgently
Banks and other institutions do not send messages or emails with links that urge immediate clicking or downloading attachments. Such messages are designed to create a sense of urgency and encourage impulsive action.
“Urgency is one of the most common tactics used by fraudsters. Official institutions do not rush and always provide time to verify information,” states the expert.
How to protect yourself from fraudsters?
According to R. Čereška, the most important thing is to remain vigilant and critically evaluate every call or message. If even the slightest suspicion arises, it is worth immediately ending the conversation and not succumbing to pressure to act urgently.
Do not disclose personal data. Do not share internet banking login details, passwords, personal identification numbers, or other sensitive information over the phone or by messages. If even the slightest doubt arises, do not perform any actions and do not confirm transactions via “Smart-ID”.
Verify information. If you have even the slightest doubt about the caller, end the conversation and contact the bank or other company using official contacts.
Block suspicious numbers. If you identify an attempted fraud, block the phone number – this will prevent repeated attempts to contact you.
Report the incident. If you have nevertheless disclosed personal data, do not delay – inform the bank as soon as possible and contact the police.
“The most important thing is not to rush. If someone urges you to make a decision here and now, that is one of the clearest signals that you should be alert,” emphasizes R. Čereška.
Read more Police found 20,000 packs of cigarettes in a car stopped in Tauragė district
