Fraud alert via itsme®
2 min
itsme®: beware of scams
Fraudsters become ever more creative, devising new scams based on psychological manipulation. This type of fraud, known as “social engineering”, often targets users of digital tools such as itsme® in an attempt to gain access to their online banking.
Scams that feel all too real
Fraudsters pretend to be trusted organisations, such as your bank, Card Stop, a public service, and so on, by using alarming messages or phone calls. Their goal? To get you to approve a fraudulent action via itsme® yourself.
Here’s how the scam works:
- A fake emergency: You receive a message or call informing you of a suspicious transaction, a refund in progress or an urgent action that you need to take.
- A false sense of security: You are asked to use the itsme® app to “secure your account” or “block a transaction”. In reality, it’s the fraudster who has initiated the action.
- An unintentional confirmation: You unknowingly approve an operation triggered by the fraudster, such as a bank transfer or login to your online banking account.
Three ways to protect yourself
1. Never approve an action you did not initiate
If you receive an itsme® request that you did not trigger yourself, reject it immediately.
2. Take time to read any request carefully
Before approving anything in the app, please check the following:
- Who sent the request
- What action is being asked
- The amount shown
3. Stay calm when messages sound urgent
Neither your bank, nor itsme®, nor Card Stop will ever ask you to act urgently via itsme®. If in doubt, hang up and contact us via official channels.
Stay in control of your data
Always take the time to check what you’re approving. Remember: no trusted service will ever ask you to take urgent action via itsme®.
Looking for more advice? Read our tips on staying safe online and spotting fraud.