Shock calls – stopping scammers in their tracks

What types of scam do criminals use?

Calls from scammers pretending to be someone close to the victim asking for help are commonplace. Other criminals use fake letters. People targeted are asked to scan a QR code – often under the pretext that their account details need to be updated. Many fraudsters find out information on their potential victim beforehand to appear credible.

How can you spot fraudulent calls or letters?

You should be extremely wary if you’re ever put under time pressure over the phone or in a letter, for example because a relative, who it’s claimed has had an accident, supposedly needs money urgently. Don’t let anyone talk you into doing anything unusual, such as installing software. Any requests to disclose personal data, such as passwords or credit card details, are highly suspicious too – if that happens, simply hang up immediately or throw the letter away.

Are familiar telephone numbers always trustworthy?

No. Call displays can be manipulated. “Scammers use spoofing to make a familiar number appear on the display, for example the number of your child, an IT company or 117 for the Swiss police,” explains Antonio Kulhanek, who is responsible for cyber-attack defence at the Migros Group. There are no technical means of preventing this from happening. If 117 appears on the display, it’s obviously a bogus call as there are no outgoing calls from that number.

Should I trust a familiar voice over the phone?

No. Fraudsters can imitate a family member’s voice using artificial intelligence. “That’s why it’s a good idea to agree on verbal code words with your relatives. If you get a suspicious call, you can then ask for the code word to make sure you’re really talking to your child,” advises Antonio Kulhanek.

How do scammers get hold of information about me?

“A lot of personal information is available on social media,” warns Antonio Kulhanek. That enables fraudsters to give the impression that they know you. For example, they might mention your 15-year-old daughter, or know about your holidays in Greece or what your favourite car is. “So be very careful about any information you disclose online,” Kulhanek recommends.

Should I contact the sender if I receive a suspicious letter?

Yes, but don’t use the contact details that appear on the letter as they may be bogus. It’s best to get in touch with the official customer service department of the sender indicated or use the official telephone number or email address of the authority that supposedly contacted you. In fraud cases, the authority (or company) concerned can then warn people about the danger on social networks.

How do I know if a QR code is legitimate?

If you take a photo of the QR code with your smartphone, the address to which you’ll be redirected appears. If it seems unusual to you – for example, migrosversand.free-shopping.com instead of migros.ch – it’s probably a phishing attempt. You should then stop the process.