Phishing shock: Flach gauer loses thousands of fake SMS!

Phishing shock: Flach gauer loses thousands of fake SMS!

On June 5, 2025, the Flachgau region has an alarming case of Phishing, in which a 64-year-old woman lost several thousand euros. As reported 5min.at, those affected received an SMS that asked them to update their personal data and account information via a link. Shortly afterwards she received a call from supposed bank employees who informed them about supposedly unusual account movements.

The fraudsters advised the woman to release her push-tan codes in the online banking app, which led to several transfers in a medium five-digit amount. Investigations are currently underway to identify and grasp those responsible for this fraud.

increase in phishing attacks

phishing attacks are not only a problem locally, but globally on the rise. According to the Federal Office of Safety in Information Technology (BSI), statistics show a significant increase in these threats, which previously focused on the financial sector. Many other industries are also affected these days, including logistics, online trade and streaming services.

The BSI emphasizes that phishing attacks are becoming increasingly professional and now also use technologies such as artificial intelligence to optimize attacks. This is in line with the practical experiences of those affected, such as the fraud that the flax gauer suffered.

protective measures against fraud

In order to protect yourself from such fraud attempts, experts, in particular, recommend the tips from the FDIC to follow. Scammer often try to output themselves as trustworthy institutions and align their attacks via various channels, including SMS (smishing) and telephone calls (Vishing). It is crucial to avoid links in unknown messages and instead communicate directly via official bank channels to prevent unauthorized access to personal information.

The FDIC advises to check suspicious websites and contact the official phone numbers of banks if you are uncertainty. In addition to avoiding phishing attacks, the use of two-factor authentication is also an important measure to secure personal data.

The sad story of women from Flachgau illustrates the dangers that come from modern fraud stitches. The ongoing investigations should not only help her to get part of your money back, but also help to warn other potential victims and prevent future crimes.