Fraudulent WhatsApp and phone calls about an alleged PayPal transaction
Criminals are currently trying to lure victims with calls from the telephone network or via WhatsApp. Callers should hang up.
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The reason for the calls in a current scam is an allegedly pending transfer of a large sum of money via PayPal. However, there is no human being on the other end of the line, but a computer voice reads out the message.
The criminal callers are currently calling without a displayed telephone number. The calls can be made via traditional telephone networks; in February, the consumer advice centers also reported calls via WhatsApp for similar scams; in addition to PayPal, Amazon can also be mentioned. Telephone numbers with foreign area codes also appeared on the display.
Called parties should show willingness to take action
At the end of the message, potential victims are asked to press a button on their smartphone. If callers do so, they are forwarded to a "real" person. The aim of the current scam is unclear. As a rule, the fraudsters first want to obtain sensitive information that they can use to cause further damage, such as banking information, email addresses and postal addresses. The tagline with a "large bank transfer" indicates that financial transactions are also to be initiated directly as part of the scam calls.
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The scammers make their criminal "work" much easier with the computer calls: anyone who presses a button instead of hanging up has already fallen for them and is obviously susceptible to the social engineering story, ready to take further action such as disclosing data or transferring money or acting as an agent for money laundering (money mule).
The criminal masterminds simply try out the telephone numbers – the probability that someone is using PayPal or Amazon is high enough. The numbers may also originate from one or more of the numerous data leaks in which company data was not adequately protected.
However, neither Amazon nor Paypal call customers about transactions – and not with automated computer announcements. Recipients should end such calls immediately and hang up. A check of the account activity directly on the website of the allegedly affected service provides clarity: as a rule, there is no outstanding transaction with a large amount. If there are any discrepancies, those affected can also contact the provider via the regular channels for clarification.
(dmk)
