Protect yourself from cybercriminals

Protect yourself

Defend yourself against cyber criminals and their most commonly used tactics. Get to know their favourite methods and attacks and learn how to react in these scenarios to reduce the risk of falling victim to fraud or scams.

Most common methods and attacks

Phishing

Phishing scams consist sending emails to users that spoof the identity of public or private companies, in order to trick the recipients into disclosing personal, professional, or financial information.

In these types of scams, cyber attackers will copy logos and the style of real messages sent by the spoofed company. They'll ask you to carry out a specific action, which is usually urgent.

How to proceed

Be suspicious if you receive an email asking you to provide your banking details or passwords.

Pay attention to the sender. If something rings alarm bells, refrain from opening the email.

If you spot anything strange, do not reply to the email.

Do not click on any links or download attachments if the sender asks you to carry out an unexpected action.
Smishing

Smishing scams consist in sending fraudulent SMS messages to users' mobile phones with the aim of obtaining personal, professional, or financial information. These texts will typically ask users to click on a link or call a specific phone number in order to 'verify', 'update', or 'reactivate' a service

How to proceed

Avoid hasty actions Do not click on links, attachments, or images without checking the sender and the website address.

Do not reply to SMS messages that ask you for your PIN, the password to your online bank account, or any other security credentials.

Bankinter will never ask you to provide your credentials via text.
QRishing

QRishing scams consist in tricking users into scanning a malicious QR code with their mobile phones, whicch redirects them to a fraudulent website that will ask them to enter their credentials or confidential information.

How to proceed

Disable the setting for automatically opening links after scanning QR codes with your mobile phone.

Use scanning applications that allow you to view the URL destination of the QR code before opening it.

Look out for signs that the QR code could have been tampered with.
Vishing

In vishing scams, attackers call users in an attempt to steal personal or corporate funds, or to trick them into disclosing sensitive information or granting access to their computer. To convince you that you're talking to a legitimate company, attackers will use basic information about you that they've found online.

How to proceed

Be suspicious if you receive an urgent phone call or if you feel the caller is pressuring you.

Do not provide any sensitive information over the phone.

If the caller asks you to download software, click on a link, or open a file, do not follow their instructions.

Bankinter will never ask you to provide confidential information over the phone.
Baiting

In baiting attacks, cyber criminals leverage removable devices, such as USBs, to infect your computer with malware, which will allow them to gain access to your confidential information.

How to proceed

Be suspicious of removable devices if you're unsure of their source.

Alwayskeep your antivirus software up to date.

Do not connect unknown external devices to your computer.
Attacks leveraging public Wi-Fi networks

Public Wi-Fi networks are inherently insecure, meaning they are vulnerable to attacks even if they are password-protected.

In high-traffic areas, such as airports, cyber criminals usually give public Wi-Fi networks names that are similar to real networks.

How to proceed

Do not access your online bank account or confidential information when connected to a public/passwordless Wi-Fi network.

Do not connect to open Wi-Fi networks that do not require log-in credentials.

Make sure the latest versions of your browser and operating system are installed. In addition, check that your antivirus software is correctly installed.
Online shopping scams

While there are many ways to shop securely online, we're often presented with fake offers that could be a scam.

How to proceed

Check whether the URL begins with “https”.

Check whether the online store has a digital certificate. Search for information about the company and customer reviews.

Pay close attention to the design of the website to spot any strange elements or mistakes.
Attacks leveraging Bizum

Bizum can be used to send money to recipients using just their mobile number. And while this function is integrated in the bank's application, it can be used for fraudulent purposes.

Cyber criminals have been seen to send money requests via Bizum to customers of the service who, without realising, accept the transfer request.

How to proceed

Verify the identity of the user that has sent the request

Always read messages before carrying out any transactions via Bizum.

When you receive a Bizum, the amount is immediately deposited in your bank account. You will also receive a notification from your bank informing you that the transfer has been completed.
CEO fraud

CEO fraud consists in spoofs the identity of a senior figure within a company that manages employees with access to corporate funds, in order to trick them into transferring money to accounts controlled by the cyber criminals. These types of scams are usually carried out over the phone or via email.

How to proceed

Be suspicious of requests involving money transfers, especially if they are unusual or involve foreign bank accounts.

Carefully examine the sender of the message and look out for any grammatical errors.

When in doubt, contact the sender via a different channel to confirm their identity.
Fake news

The term 'fake news' refers to fictitious news stories that are circulated in order to divide and manipulate public opinion, usually for political, financial, or social motives.

How to proceed

Analyse the media outlet that posted the news story and cross-check the information.

Pay attention to the URL in case it seems suspicious.

Check publication dates

Make sure there are no grammar or spelling mistakes.

Check for signs that images could have been tampered with.
Attacks leveraging payment cards

Payment card fraud occurs when cyber criminals gain access to a victim's card (or their cardholder data) and use the payment service to make purchases or unauthorised cash withdrawals.

How to proceed

Never provide your card details, unless you are making a purchase on a legitimate site.

Check the purchase amount before confirming the transaction.

Always use two-factor authentication, even when making small purchases.

Download all fraud-related information

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Have you fallen victim to fraud or a scam?

If you believe you have fallen victim to cyber fraud, please contact the Fraud Telephone Banking Service by calling (900 81 00 62) or visit your local branch to receive in-person support.

If you wish to block your card, you can do so via our website or the Bankinter app. Alternatively, you can contact VISA directly to cancel your card by calling (900 991 124).

In addition, you can contact us via our Bankinter WhatsApp channel to receive more security-related information.
To do so, send us a WhatsApp by messaging 666 44 33 33 or visit https://wa.me/34666443333.

And remember...

Under no circumstances...

...will we ask our clients to provide their credentials online

Under no circumstances...

...should you enter personal data on suspicious websites

Under no circumstances...

...should you let yourself feel pressured by an urgent message