Did you get that text about the package? It's urgent! You can lose all your savings

A new, highly dangerous wave of SMS fraud floods phones across Poland. Cybercriminals, impersonating popular courier companies, massively send false messages that look authentic at first glance. Their goal is one: extort data to log into electronic banking and bargain victims from all the savings. The government's CERT Polska squad beats the alarm and warns that anyone who buys online is at hazard and is waiting for a shipment. The mechanics of attack is simple, but highly effective due to the fact that it is based on human indiscretion and time pressure.

The threat is real and affects thousands of Poles all day. The deceivers hope that in the midst of everyday duties click on the link sent without thinking. The consequences can be disastrous – from losing money from the account to identity theft. Therefore, it is crucial to know how to admit the threat and what to do erstwhile a suspicious message hits our phone.

How does cheating on a courier work? Step by step

The phishing attack begins with an innocent-looking text message. Its content is carefully prepared to induce assurance and a sense of urgency. The most common information about the alleged problem with transportation of packages, specified as incorrect address or request to pay a tiny duty. Criminals deliberately usage formulas to get the victim to act immediately, specified as "Your parcel has been stopped" or "Update the transportation address to avoid returning to the sender".

The key component of the message is simply a link that allegedly leads to a site that allows to solve the problem. In fact, it is simply a link to a fake site controlled by fraudsters. Clicking this link is the first step to fall into a trap. Cybercriminals frequently usage link shortening techniques (e.g. via bit.ly services) to hide a real, malicious site address. This makes it hard at first glance to measure whether the link is safe.

False side, real theft. That's what you gotta watch out for.

Upon clicking on the link, the victim hits a website that resembles an authoritative courier company website or payment gateway. Criminals care about all item – logotypes, colours and layout of the site are almost identical to the original. This puts you to sleep and builds a false sense of security. On this page, the user is asked to supply delicate data.

Depending on the option of fraud, the victim may be asked to:

• Provide full individual data: Name, address, telephone number.
• Introduction of card data: card number, expiry date and CVV/CVC code.
• Login to your bank: through a false panel that captures login and password for electronic banking.

Giving this information to criminals is tantamount to losing control of their finances. With data to log in, cheaters can clear the victim's bank account in a fewer minutes, and even drag fast loans into her data.

CERT Poland is issuing an authoritative alert. study fraud to 8080

In consequence to the expanding threat, CERT Polska (Computer safety incidental consequence Team), operating in the structures of the state investigation institute NASK, issued an authoritative warning. Experts stress that this is simply a massive phishing campaign, targeted at telephone users across the country. The institution calls for peculiar caution and immediate consequence to suspicious messages.

Anyone who has received a suspicious text should study it immediately. For this intent a special, free number was launched. simply send the full content of the received message to number 8080. Each specified study is analysed by experts, and the malicious links contained in it are placed on the list of warnings. This allows telecommunications operators and web browser providers to block access to fake sites, thereby protecting possible further victims. Your study has a real impact on the safety of others.

How do you defend yourself? Simple rules that save money

The awareness of danger is the first step to safety. Although cheaters are getting smarter, applying respective basic principles can effectively defend you from losing money and data. Cybersecurity experts recommend:

• Never click on links received in unexpected SMS or email messages, even if they look authentic.
• Verify information at source. If you have doubts about the position of the shipment, delight visit the authoritative website of the courier company, entering its address manually in your browser, or usage a dedicated mobile application.
• Pay attention to the details. False messages frequently contain language errors, typos, or different syntax. The fishy should besides be a strange-looking URL.
• Never submit complete log-in data to a bank or the card details on the pages to which you have been redirected from the link. Banks never ask for it.
• Talk to your loved ones. Appreciate your household and friends, especially older people who may be more prone to specified manipulations.

Remember, these days, every smartphone user is simply a possible target. Seniors aren't the only ones exposed. The rush and regular are the biggest safety enemies on the web. A minute of reflection before clicking can save you from serious financial problems.