Beware of new online fraud attempts: How scammers are trying to trick Romanians
Romanian authorities have issued a new alert regarding the increase in online fraud attempts targeting citizens. Recently, scammers have been using increasingly sophisticated methods to obtain money or personal data from unsuspecting individuals, taking advantage of modern technology.
One of the most recent scam campaigns uses the name of the energy company E-ON. Criminals send fake emails or SMS messages containing "outstanding invoices" that appear to be issued by the gas and electricity provider. These messages contain malicious links which, once accessed, can compromise users' devices or lead to the payment of money into accounts controlled by scammers.
In addition to fake messages, cybersecurity experts are also warning about the use of artificial intelligence for criminal purposes. A worrying method involves cloning the voices of victims' relatives. Through phone calls, attackers use the voice of a loved one to ask for urgent financial help, thus creating a state of panic and causing the victim to act quickly without verifying the veracity of the information.
To avoid such situations, specialists recommend maximum caution. It is essential never to access links received from unknown sources and to always check your customer account directly on the provider's official platform. Also, if you receive a suspicious call asking for money, try to contact that person through another communication channel to confirm the situation.
Protecting personal data remains the best method of defense against cyberattacks. If you have fallen victim to such a fraud, it is recommended that you report the incident immediately to the Police and contact your bank to block any suspicious transactions.