"Hello, this is your bank's security service" or "Shut up and take my money!"

[Man]

"Hello, this is the bank's security service! You have detected a suspicious transaction..."

Surely, many of you have heard this phrase on the phone, and it’s good if at that moment you hung up and didn’t continue the conversation.

In this article, I would like to talk with you about the types of fraud in the modern world, and I also want you to share your own experiences of dealing with fraudsters (sad or funny), so that people will be more vigilant in the future.

One article cannot cover the entire scope of this problem, but the topic is important, and I would like it to be remembered and not forgotten.

According to a study by Yandex 360 for Business and NAFI, 6 out of 10 Russians have come across malicious spam at least once. In most cases, people click on phishing links or download dangerous attachments, which can lead to data leakage and financial losses.

How can we be deceived?
How can we be deceived? There are many types and tricks that can deceive us. Fraudsters can impersonate employees of popular organizations, report an “account problem,” or offer a “win” in a lottery. They often try to create a sense of urgency to make a person quickly click on a link or download a program. This helps them gain access to the victim’s personal information, passwords, and bank card details. Even cautious users cannot always avoid this trap, as fraudsters know how to make their schemes very convincing. Let’s talk about the main types of fraud.

Types of fraud​

Call or letter from technical support (Technical support scam)​

Probably the most common type of fraud is when you receive a call or email from scammers. They pretend to be support staff from well-known companies, such as Microsoft or Apple, and convince the victim that there is a serious problem with their device. Usually, it all starts with an unexpected call, message, or pop-up window on the computer screen warning about viruses or threats. Fraudsters, creating an atmosphere of anxiety, offer “help” and ask to install special software for remote access or go to a fake website. By trusting the “specialists,” the victim gives them access to their device, which allows the attackers to install malware, steal personal data, or obtain financial information.

Personally, a long time ago, when it all started, Sberbank's security service called me and said that there were suspicious transactions, and, of course, they wanted to find out my personal data. All my questions and clarifications were answered in advance, why it was necessary to do this and not another. I remember exactly that I said that I would call technical support myself and clarify. To this I was told that the matter was very urgent and if I called back myself, they would already write off my money, etc. Fortunately, in the end I just hung up, and, having called the bank, I realized that I had spoken to scammers. At that time, this was not so common, and anyone could be caught off guard.

Phishing​

This is a type of Internet fraud in which criminals try to trick users into revealing personal data, such as logins, passwords, bank card details, and other sensitive information. Fraudsters typically disguise themselves as representatives of well-known companies, banks, or government agencies, sending emails, social media messages, or text messages that look official. These messages often contain links to fake websites that look like real ones, or requests to transfer data under various pretexts, such as account verification. The main goal of phishing is to gain access to information that can later be used to steal funds or commit other criminal acts.

If your company has information security staff, they can conduct so-called drills. The company sends employees simulated phishing emails that are as close to real messages as possible. If an employee falls for the trick and clicks on a link or enters data, the system records this. Then they are explained what mistakes were made and how they could have been avoided.

Social media​

Social networks can be used to deceive users in order to obtain their personal data, money, or access to accounts. Fraudsters create fake accounts, disguising themselves as friends, colleagues, or well-known brands, and send victims messages asking for help, links to “winnings,” or fake discount offers.

Again, I will add my own experience. Once my VKontakte page was hacked, and on my behalf they started writing to friends asking them to send money. It’s good that they contacted me directly and asked if everything was okay.

Online Dating Scammers​

Yes, this does happen. They usually present themselves as attractive and sociable people, quickly gain trust, and then build an emotional connection. Once contact is strengthened, the scammer may ask for money, citing urgent needs (illness, money problems, or a ticket to a meeting), or try to get other valuable information. Such criminals exploit the feelings and gullibility of victims, playing on their hopes of building a relationship, and often leave as soon as they get what they want.

In online dating, I've heard of "plate girls". The word "plate girl" is increasingly appearing in men's vocabulary and refers to girls who, in their opinion, agree to dates for a free dinner and then disappear without a trace. For their part, girls look down on such men and are ready to pay the bill themselves, just to avoid reproaches from those whom they ironically call "lowlifes".

Fraudsters fake voices​

This is a new scam trick where the scammers use speech synthesis technology to imitate the voice of a loved one. Having obtained a voice sample (for example, from social networks or videos), the scammers can create an audio recording that sounds like the real voice of a relative. They then call the victim, introducing themselves as this person, and, for example, ask to urgently transfer money for “treatment”, “saving from problems” or other imaginary needs. Such schemes work on surprise and pressure, because a person may believe that it is really their loved one in trouble, and not immediately recognize the deception.

Charity Scam​

This is a type of fraud in which criminals pretend to represent fictitious foundations or fake charity events. They approach people with requests for donations supposedly for urgent needs, such as helping the sick or victims of disasters. Using trust and the desire to help, fraudsters collect money into their accounts. To avoid becoming a victim, it is important to check the organizations and donate only through official channels.

Extortionists and blackmailers​

Extortionists and blackmailers are criminals who threaten victims with compromising information or physical violence unless they receive money or other benefits. Blackmail often occurs online, where criminals use personal information or intimate materials as leverage. Such actions cause fear and stress in victims, which may force them to give in to the extortionists' demands. To avoid such situations, it is important not to disclose personal information to strangers.

What should we do?​

Scams come in many forms, including phishing, social media scams, extortion, and vote spoofing, all of which are designed to deceive and manipulate victims. To protect yourself from these threats, it’s important to be vigilant: don’t reveal personal information to strangers, verify sources before trusting messages and calls, and use strong passwords. Education and awareness of various scams are also key to preventing scams. Regular training and attention to security will help minimize risks and protect you from scammers.

Dear reader, thank you for your attention! Let me remind you once again that I wanted to draw attention to the problem of fraud on the Internet with this article. And, of course, it is very interesting to read about your experience (sad or funny).

Maybe you were deceived in some way that I didn't list here? Tell us in the comments ↓

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