Why Cybercrime Is on the Rise
Financial services and communication channels through digital media have expanded for technological reasons, becoming especially relevant in everyday life.
Within this context, new fraud and scam schemes are mushrooming in the form of fake profiles of banks and financial institutions in social media, phone calls, text or WhatsApp messages, and deceptive emails intended to obtain personal and banking data.
The challenge for consumers is to be able to tell the difference between false and true content, and to become aware that personal responsibility and commitment are essential to protect their banking information.
How to Safeguard Confidential and Banking Data
Do not disclose your confidential data (such as username, password, PIN, social security code, token, ID (original or copy) and photo) over the phone, by email, on social media or WhatsApp, or through text messages.
Do not enter personal or banking data on sites that you have accessed through links received by email, social media, or WhatsApp or text message.
Use strong passwords by combining capital letters, small letters and numbers. Avoid using birthday dates or information that may be known by others.
Do not use the same password for different apps, accounts or platforms.
When someone offers you prizes, loans or benefits, take the necessary steps to confirm that this is not a scam.
Do not disclose any details of your accounts or cards, or make payments or transfers to access the benefit.
Do not accept help from third parties, whether in person or over the phone, when using an ATM.
Do not access bank apps or sites from public computers.
Do not use a public Wi-Fi network to access sites that require passwords.
When making purchases or transactions on a website that look suspicious, contact the website to ask for more information about a product or search in forums, social media and reviews to confirm it is the official website of the bank, organization or store, and check that the connection is secure.
In case of doubt or a suspicious situation, contact your bank through any of its official channels.
Take your time before doing anything. #YouAreTheKey to protect your personal data and operate safely.
Forms of Deception
– Phishing: a seemingly genuine email that is used to deceive the addressee and make them provide personal and confidential data.
– Smishing: a text message or any messaging app to trick a person into providing information.
How to Tell the Difference between a Real Profile and a Fake One in Social Media
– Verified accounts have a blue checkmark next to the username.
– Fake profiles are usually recent. You can check the posts and comments to see for how long the account has been active.
– Fake accounts usually have few followers and often search, contact or invite followers of official accounts through a direct message indicating that they are accounts for customer support.
– Please note that false profiles are created to obtain banking information of customers and thus be able to carry out scams and cybercrimes. In general, it is these fake accounts that initiate a conversation with you when you tag your bank using the @ symbol to ask something on their digital channels. Be careful! Do not provide any data through these media.
How to Report a Scam or Fraud
You may contact the Specialized Cybercrime Unit (Unidad Fiscal Especializada en Ciberdelincuencia, UFECI).
Address: Sarmiento 663, 6th floor, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires
Phone: (+54 11) 5071-0040 / 0041
Email: denunciasufeci@mpf.gov.ar
Campaign | Fraud Prevention
Banks operating in the country have launched a security campaign to warn their customers. Follow #AprendiendoACuidarnos (learning to protect ourselves) #CuidateDeLasEstafas (watch out for fraud) #ProtegéTuInformación (protect your information) in social media.
Learn more
– Smishing Case | Fake Text Message or Chat Purporting to Be from the BCRA
– Phishing Case | Fake Email Purporting to Be from the BCRA
