The use of the internet connection is something so normalized and common in our society that has become essential in people’s daily lives. From setting an alarm clock to the music we want to making a banking transaction on our smartphone, the online world is continually present in our lives.
This has many advantages, since it facilitates and speeds up the vast majority of aspects and issues that anyone has to manage. However, the Internet also hides dangers and risks to which we are continually exposed.
Among these problems we can find some very common ones such as different viruses that enter our personal or professional terminals and can access bank account, social media profiles, email, etc. Other risks are scams, cyberbullying, identity theft, password theft, ‘fake news’ or exposure to inappropriate or illegal content.
Among these online dangers, one of the most repeated and persecuted is that of scams or scamssince there are ‘hackers’ who dedicate themselves exclusively to it. In most cases, these cybercriminals use the image of official websites such as the Post Office or the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT), to simulate that it is a real matter and obtain valuable or compromised information for the victim.
A recent notice from the Civil Guard through its social networks has warned citizens of a scam of this type. These are cases of ‘smishing’ and ‘phishing’, electronic scams in which they use fake messages and malicious links to deceive the people who receive them and profit from it. «Don’t bite. Via SMS or email “They redirect you to a fraudulent website to request personal and banking information,” reports the Civil Guard.
As the images in the previous publication show, this scam aims to obtain a photograph of the victim’s ID, as well as access malicious links in which to contribute personal and banking detailswhich cybercriminals can use for various crimes such as money theft or identity theft.
They do it by creating a fake website in which they impersonate the DGTusing their logos, that of the Ministry of the Interior and the Government of Spain and with a structure of forms similar to that of the traffic agency’s website: “These campaigns consist of the massive sending of fake text messages and emails, in those in which people are informed of the existence of an alleged pending fine, they are urged to make the payment within a short period of time and they are pressured into believing that the message is a final reminder,” it is indicated from the National Cybersecurity Institute.
The Civil Guard reminds us to pay attention if we receive any message or email of this type, since usually the links are not related to the official domain of the DGT. Besides, The attached messages often have spelling and grammar mistakes.
How to act if I have been scammed online in this way?
The security force also provides the way in which you should proceed to try to find a solution if you have been a victim of ‘smishing’ and ‘phishing’. «If you have accessed the link and shared your personal or banking information through the form and uploaded the image of your ID, we recommend that you follow the steps shown below:
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Contact your bank immediately for advice on the necessary measures to protect your account.
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Take screenshots and retain as much evidence as possible of the message and attached links. To authenticate this evidence, consider using online witnesses.
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Perform egosurfing regularly to check if your personal data has been published or is being used without your consent on the Internet.
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Contact the INCIBE Cybersecurity Help Line to receive advice and instructions on how to act.
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If you have sent an image of your DNI, file a complaint with the State Security Forces and Corps so that you can renew it and ensure that the attackers do not have your valid identification document. In addition, you must provide other evidence that you have collected about the fraud to facilitate the investigation.
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If you doubt the veracity of a communication from the DGT, keep in mind that this organization notifies its sanctions through postal mail (and if it cannot be reached at your home, by publication on the edictal board) or through electronic notification, via DEV – Road Electronic Address.
Furthermore, the Civil Guard invites you to visit its section about social engineering attacks, where you can get information to prevent fraud such as ‘smishing’ and ‘phishing’.
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