Cyber criminals are currently targeting five banks. We’ll show you whether you’re affected and how you can protect yourself.
Five banks are the target of phishing. (Source: cozyta/depositphotos.com)
Account deactivation at Postbank
Instructions to ruin at Consorsbank
Similar approach at Comdirect
Very late annual changeover at Volksbank
Expired certificate at Deutsche Bank
Simple signs: How to recognize every phishing email
What do criminals achieve with phishing attacks?
Every day, fraudsters try to lure you into a trap with phishing emails and use this scam to steal your sensitive data. Cyber criminals are particularly interested in bank details.
Currently, five credit institutions are affected by a wave of phishing attacks. The fraudsters contact you in the name of the bank and demand that you disclose your personal information under various pretexts. If you fall for the scam, you risk major financial loss. To prevent this from happening, it is important that you recognize the fake emails in time.
Account deactivation at Postbank Postbank Phishing. (Source: Consumer Center)
The first fraud attempt is aimed at Postbank customers. In the message with the subject “Service communication
In order to continue to access your money, you must update your personal data within the specified period using the attached link. Don’t let yourself be pressured. Your bank would never do what you described.
Instructions to ruin at Consorsbank
Consorsbank is also currently the target of fraudsters. In an email with the subject “Validate your SecurePlus certificate using the instructions”, you are told that your SecurePlus procedure is expiring. However, with the help of instructions, it is quickly possible to request a new Phototan letter.
![Consorsbank Phishing.](https://img.netzwelt.de/dw1200_dh675_sw1984_sh1116_sx6_sy3_sr16x9_nu0/picture/original/2024/05/consorsbank-phishing-403602.png)
Consorsbank Phishing. (Source: Consumer Center)
You are asked to log in to your online banking via a link. However, you should not do this. The button labeled “Log in” takes you to a phishing page. If you enter your login details there, the fraudsters can easily gain access to your account.
Similar approach at Comdirect
If you have an account with Comdirect, you could receive a very similar email. The message with the subject “Update Photo-TAN Comdirect-02.05.2024” differs from the Consorsbank fraudsters’ scam only in terms of layout and heading.
![Comdirect Phishing.](https://img.netzwelt.de/dw1200_dh675_sw0_sh0_sx0_sy0_sr16x9_nu0/picture/original/2024/05/comdirect-phishing-403605.png)
Comdirect Phishing. (Source: Consumer Center)
Here, too, it is claimed that you have to request a new Phototan letter within 24 hours using instructions. As always, do not click on the link and do not allow yourself to be pressured.
Very late annual changeover at Volksbank
This phishing email, which is sent in the name of Volksbank with the subject “Information”, is easily recognized as a fake. The letter is about the standard updates to your personal data at the turn of the year. However, this was a long time ago.
![Volksbank phishing.](https://img.netzwelt.de/dw1200_dh675_sw1136_sh639_sx0_sy0_sr16x9_nu0/picture/original/2024/05/volksbank-phishing-403603.jpeg)
Volksbank Phishing. (Source: Consumer Advice Center)
If you do not comply with the request, you will be charged a fee and will have to meet in person after Easter. This was over a month ago. The scammers obviously did not put much effort into this, which is to your advantage.
Expired certificate at Deutsche Bank
Last but not least, Deutsche Bank is in the spotlight. This phishing email talks about extending a security certificate. You can recognize the message by the subject “Reactivation of photoTAN registration required”. After an impersonal greeting, you are asked to update your photoTAN registration before a deadline expires.
![Deutsche Bank phishing.](https://img.netzwelt.de/dw1200_dh900_sw0_sh0_sx0_sy0_sr4x3_nu0/picture/original/2024/05/deutsche-bank-phishing-403604.png)
Deutsche Bank Phishing. (Source: Consumer Center)
If you exceed the deadline, you will no longer be able to use your online banking as usual. Here, too, the fraudsters will try to lure you to a dangerous website via a link.
Simple signs: How to recognize every phishing email
A first indication that you have received a phishing email: You will be asked to confirm personal data or enter it on a website. This You should not comply with this demand under any circumstancesIn addition, criminals often use the official logos of the companies they are copying in their emails, but not official sender addresses.
If the sender seems suspicious to you, you should read the email twice. This will often help you find spelling mistakes or inconsistencies in German grammar. The attackers usually don’t write their emails themselves, but instead use automatically generated messages or translate known emails using a translation program. But why all the effort?
What do criminals achieve with phishing attacks?
Phishing is used on the Internet to collect real user data. Money can be made from this when email addresses, names and other information are sold for advertising purposes or shared in criminal forums. With the data obtained, cyber criminals can also target future phishing attacks more precisely and their attacks become more effective.
Have you received a suspicious email?
Forward it to [email protected]
or follow us on:
Phishing Checklist
- ✔
Spelling mistake? - ✔
Sensitive data requested? - ✔
Official logos? - ✔
Unknown sender?
Attachments and links contained in malicious emails often introduce malware or viruses onto your computer. And don’t ignore suspicious emails. Forward them to the email address above and help us report future phishing attacks.
More fraud warnings on netzwelt – Stay one step ahead of cyber criminals
But phishing emails are not the only danger lurking on the Internet. In addition to attempted fraud, there are all kinds of viruses, Trojans and malware that can infect your computer. Unfortunately, data scandals are also part of everyday digital life. You can see the five most recent articles on the topic of “fraud warnings” below:
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