Do not call back – Scammers may try to rush a decision by making you worried.
Do not click on the link – Scammers can deceive by, for example, making you positively surprised.
Be attentive – Scammers can manipulate senders and websites to look credible.
Think twice – Scammers can exploit current events to deceive.
They are going to help you stop an existing scam on your account or card.
They can help you with your tax rebate.
You have a package or letter on its way that you can track via a link in a text message.
They can help you recover money that you have been scammed out of.
You have won some money.
A family member has got into a tricky situation and needs your help.
Your computer has a virus or some other problem that they say they can help you with.
You need to download software to protect your computer from an on-going virus attack.
You should Swish to stop an ongoing transaction.
Have you been scammed? Contact your bank immediately!
Always report attempted fraud to the police. Call the police on 114 14.
A common scam is when a fraudster calls you up and claims to be your bank, the police, a company, a government agency or even a friend or family member. They may try and make you feel stressed, for example by claiming that you have a problem that needs to be resolved immediately. Scammers will often emphasise that time is short. They can also manipulate telephone numbers to make it look like it really is your bank that’s ringing, for example. Next, the scammer is likely to offer to help you resolve their invented problem and get the situation sorted out. They might ask you to share a security code from your bank security device, use your electronic identification (like BankID) or approve a Swish payment, for example.
Do not trust the caller just because they have personal information about you. Fraudsters are good at finding information that they can then use to make themselves seem trustworthy. Hang up and call your bank or somebody you trust if you are even the slightest bit suspicious.
Scams that involve sending text messages to access sensitive information have become more common recently. Fraudsters can manipulate phone numbers to make it look like the message has come from your bank, the police, a government agency or even a friend or family member. The message might ask you to claim a prize you have won, to access a special offer or to pay a shipping charge on a parcel. What may look like an ordinary text telling you to collect a parcel may actually be a ploy to access personal information or make you pay for something you haven’t bought. Receiving a fraudulent text message is not inherently dangerous, as long as you are aware of the sender’s intentions and do not act on what the scammer is urging you to do.
Do not click on links in text messages or make phone calls unknown numbers at somebody else’s request. Ask somebody you trust if you are unsure. If you suspect fraud, contact your bank first and then the police.
Remember, scams don’t just happen over the phone. Methods that start with an unexpected home visit have become more common. Fraudsters can turn up and knock on your door, claiming that they are from the police, a property management company or something similar. They may say that they need access to your home in order to carry out a repair or a service, to deliver a parcel or to ask you some questions. By insisting and doing all they can to convince you, their hope is that you will open the door and let them in so they can take advantage of the situation to steal your valuables or make you give them your personal information.
Be suspicious about unexpected house calls and never let strangers into your home. Never give out personal information to somebody who knocks on your door. Always report criminal activity to the police. Reporting is a way to make the police aware of attempted fraud and criminal activity.
