A Worrying Increase
In recent times, there has been a worrying increase in online scams in Catalonia. The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) has warned about a new method used by fraudsters, endangering citizens as well as authorities and cyber security experts. The ease with which fraudsters operate in the digital environment makes it difficult to detect and prevent these crimes.
La Nova Estafa: “Man in the Middle”
The new scam, known as “man in the middle”, involves cybercriminals intercepting communications between two people and impersonating them to access and/or modify bank details. This practice, although more common among companies, can also affect individuals through invoices, especially by changing the account number to which the payment is made.
The Sophisticated Danger
Online scams are difficult to detect due to the sophistication of the techniques used by criminals. These use advanced methods to steal data and spoof identities, as well as resort to social engineering tactics to manipulate victims. The danger of this new scam lies in its immediacy, as victims often do not become aware of it until they are asked to pay a bill they have not received.
Tips to Avoid Online Scams
The OCU offers advice to avoid falling for these types of scams. They recommend that payers check the accounts by contacting the issuer of the invoice before making the payment, as well as reminding them of the responsibility of banking entities in verifying account numbers. This is critical to make sure it’s not a scam.