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Beware of scam calls: How to protect your money from criminals!
On March 20, 2025, the RTR warns of phishing scams via SMS and calls from the UK. Protect your financial data!
Beware of scam calls: How to protect your money from criminals!
There are currently increasing warnings in Austria about fraudulent calls and phishing attempts, particularly from Great Britain. Since the beginning of March alone, the reporting center for telephone number misuse has received 250 complaints about dubious calls, reports RTR. This number suggests that the number of unreported cases could be even higher. Klaus Steinmaurer, managing director of RTR, strongly advises to be particularly vigilant when calling from unknown numbers with the +44 area code. If you don't expect a call from Great Britain, you shouldn't pick up the phone.
Phishing on behalf of banks
The fraudsters use various methods to obtain personal and banking information. Victims often receive text messages or emails asking them to update their FinanzOnline access, supposedly due to problems with their account. When you click on the link provided, those affected will be asked to enter their sensitive bank details. If you fall for this, you will immediately receive a call from someone pretending to be a bank employee informing you of suspicious transactions. This tricks victims into even installing a remote access app to allow the scammers access to their device and therefore their account, like steiermark.orf.at reported.
The police warnings are clear: the potential financial losses could run into the thousands. We are therefore advised not to open any links from unknown senders and to ensure that banks and tax offices never ask for access data via links. If in doubt, those affected should contact their bank directly to prevent such fraud attempts.
In addition, experts warn that calls with a clear message about a job offer often use a female computer voice, which is intended to prompt recipients to add the official number to their WhatsApp contacts. This highlights the danger of a chat dialogue, through which the fraudsters may be able to obtain even more personal information from the victims, such as puls24.at reported.