Card data theft

How the scam works

“Shops” offering unbelievable prices pop out on social networks or search engines. After you enter your card number, the product will either never arrive, or you will receive a worthless substitute or the site will disappear. “Official” apps or sites dealing with current topics (e.g. visas, vignettes, etc.), which are actually fake, are also a common occurrence.

How to identify and prevent

Check for reviews or brand contacts using official channels – if the price is too good to be true, you are probably dealing with a scam.

How the scam works

A fake buyer sends you a link that looks like a website of a bank/classifieds publication/courier and asks you to enter your card data and confirm their payments. The victim is actually crediting money to the scammers’ account.

How to identify and prevent

Never click a link in a message received from a “buyer”. To receive money, no confirmation or card data entry is required. If someone is urging you – stop and carefully reread the whole thing.

How the scam works

You have received a call on your mobile phone, and the screen shows a telephone number belonging to a “bank”. You are talking to a scammer claiming to be an employee of the “bank”, often using AI to create deepfake voices. They will ask for your card data, often explaining this is necessary for further checks or changes in the system.

How to identify and prevent

The Bank will never ask you to provide your PIN, token or CVV or to install an app on your mobile phone or computer. End the call and call the Bank to verify.

How the scam works

You have received a message that appears to originate from official channels (tax authority, bank, courier), including a link to make a payment or enter your card data.

How to identify and prevent

Neither a tax authority nor a bank would ever send you links to enter your card data, and no courier would ask for an additional payment this way. Do not click – check the source.

How the scam works

Although the service (e.g. a gaming, exercise or CV writing app) is offered on a free trial basis, you are asked to enter your card number before activating it and the fine print states that you will be automatically charged for the subscription. This is why the victim often fails to notice the unwanted until later.

How to identify and prevent

Before entering your card data, read the terms and conditions and find our why they need your card number in the first place if what they offer is presented as “free”.