Online Scams, State Police Appeals to Citizens: Do Not Open Suspicious Links or Share Your Data

The State Police has called on citizens to exercise extra caution regarding “phishing” scam messages, which in recent days have been distributed via SMS and communication apps, including WhatsApp.

According to the authorities, the senders of these messages pose as representatives of banks or public institutions and ask citizens to update their banking details, confirm their accounts or carry out other actions through an attached link. The police advise people not to open these links.

The messages are sent from various telephone numbers and aim to convince users that they must take urgent action on their accounts. In reality, these are fraudulent schemes intended to obtain e-banking credentials, OTP verification codes and bank card details.

The data obtained in this way may be used to carry out unauthorized transactions and cause financial losses to citizens.

Citizens should avoid clicking on any link received via SMS, WhatsApp or other communication apps, especially when the message comes from an unknown or suspicious number.

The police also advise people never to share their passwords, OTP codes, PINs or bank card details. Before accessing online banking services, users should carefully check the website address and use only the bank’s official channels.

Banks do not request confidential information through suspicious links. In case of uncertainty, customers should contact their bank only through its official telephone numbers and channels.

If someone has opened a suspicious link or provided their banking details, they should immediately contact the bank to block the card or account and take the necessary measures.

It is also recommended that passwords used to access banking services be changed immediately. The incident should be reported to the State Police, the Directorate for the Investigation of Cybercrime and any local police directorate.

The State Police calls on citizens to remain vigilant regarding any message, link or website requesting personal or banking information or verification codes: do not click, do not provide information and verify everything through official channels.