Latest phishing scam: Appointment request for phone call with alleged Sparkasse
The NRW consumer advice center warns of a current phishing scam. The savings bank allegedly wants an appointment for a telephone call.
(Image: Bild erstellt mit KI in Bing Designer durch heise online / dmk)
The phishing radar of the North Rhine-Westphalia consumer advice center warns of a current wave of phishing that is targeting savings bank customers in particular. Numerous e-mails have been on the move since yesterday, Wednesday, allegedly seeking to arrange an appointment for a telephone call with the savings bank.
(Image: Verbraucherzentrale NRW / Phishing-Radar)
As the consumer protection organizations explain, the e-mails have long, unwieldy subject lines such as "Important appointment: Please make an appointment for your personal meeting with the savings bank". After an impersonal address, the fraudsters write that the alleged savings bank "as part of our continuous efforts to offer you the best service" asks you to make an appointment "for a telephone call with us".
Bait: Important information about your account, security measures and new services
The conversation should include "important information about your account, security measures and possible new services that could be relevant for you". Other points are intended to demonstrate the urgency of the conversation – the bank allegedly wants to ensure that the account data is up to date. There would also be security-related information and tips on how to protect your accounts, followed by a promotional offer offering "customized financial solutions and services".
A button above this is labeled "Make an appointment now" and is supposed to lead directly to the appointment selection, but an appointment can also be made by replying to the email. "Here, too, the criminals are after your sensitive data," explains the NRW consumer advice center.
At first glance, the email looks legitimate. However, it is phishing, which can be recognized by the lack of a personal salutation, the incorrect sender address and the missing bank logo. These mails should simply be moved directly to the spam folder, advises the NRW consumer advice center.
Last week, the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) warned of a wave of phishing. Fraudulent e-mails were sent in the name of the BSI with the subject line "Your personal security is at stake". Clicking on the "Activate antivirus protection now" button was intended to lure potential victims into the trap. It is unclear what was hidden behind the button: Malware, simply advertising or actual phishing to obtain usable information from victims.
(dmk)