At Banco Sabadell, the security of your accounts and cards is our priority. To this end, we work towards guaranteeing the maximum protection of your banking data and inform you about possible threats to which you might be exposed, so that you know how to act at all times. All of this aims to inform you on different types of fraud, teaching you how to prevent them and avoid falling victim to possible scams.
Recently, we have identified that fraudulent text messages are being sent, impersonating banking institutions to scam their clients. These notifications warn of the need to install a supposed security application on your device to prevent your accounts from being blocked.
They usually include shortened links, which redirect you to a website impersonating the bank’s site, so you access the supposed program, which is actually malware or a virus installed on your devices and allows cybercriminals to carry out various illegal actions.
If you click on the link, a website loads, impersonating the bank’s homepage for Online Banking.
Once you access the link, it prompts you to enter your details, and if you do, you are redirected to the next screen with instructions on how to install the supposed app.
Upon clicking the button, an application with the name of the bank or something similar is downloaded, but it is actually malicious software aimed at obtaining your Online Banking credentials and tracking your activity without your knowledge. So, when you access your Online Banking, the malicious software sends the credentials you enter to the attacker.
This technique is known as Malware and involves infecting your device with a virus that tracks your activity without your knowledge. So when you access your Online Banking, the virus sends the credentials you enter to the attacker.
How to recognize and avoid malware fraud
If you receive such an SMS, we recommend ignoring and deleting it immediately without clicking on the link contained. Be cautious and read carefully before taking any action, especially when the message has an urgent tone.
Remember, Banco Sabadell will never ask you to enter your banking information or access codes via a link, nor ask you to download an app to update your Online Banking security.
Additionally, we recommend further protection measures:
- Keep your devices updated with the latest versions and, if you want to install a mobile app, do so from official app stores.
- Do not access any link, download any attachment, or run any program of dubious origin that you may have received via SMS.
- Carefully check the SMS content for possible grammatical errors.
- Verify that you are expecting information from the SMS sender and try to confirm it by other means.
If you have any questions, remember our phishing and customer service team is available 24/7/365 at 963 085 000, at info@bancsabadell.com, or on our social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram).
