Phishing emails in circulation: Fraudsters target bank customers

Phishing emails in circulation: Fraudsters target bank customers

There are currently phishing emails in circulation that claim to come from various banks, but are actually sent by fraudsters. Customers of ING Bank and Postbank are particularly affected by this fraudulent practice. The phishing emails suggest a necessary security measure that asks customers to provide sensitive information in order to supposedly activate transaction features or prevent the account from being closed. The consumer advice center warns against complying with such requests and recommends moving unanswered emails to the spam folder.

In addition to ING and Postbank, other banks have also become the focus of criminals. The DKB and Targobank are among the financial institutions affected. Fraudulent emails are sent under various pretexts such as “Important Notice | Action Required” or a supposed need to update data. The impersonal approach and the request to disclose sensitive information are intended to persuade customers to click on fraudulent links. It is advisable to check such emails carefully and, if suspected, not to respond to the requests in order to minimize security risks.

The increasing spread of phishing emails is also a problem outside the banking sector. Criminals have found new opportunities, for example by exploiting online platforms such as Booking.com to obtain sensitive information such as credit card details. Consumers should therefore remain vigilant and closely review suspicious emails or inquiries to protect themselves from fraud and data misuse. The security recommendations of banks and consumer advice centers should be taken seriously in order to prevent phishing attacks.