As recently as last week reported News24 that several had received text messages from a sender who claimed to be ESS Inkasso. On closer inspection, it turned out that ESS Inkasso is in fact a company that is missing from The Financial Supervisory Authority’s list of approved companies to carry out debt collection.
The text message stated that a bill was about to go to the Kronofogden, information that most people would be stressed by. This form of approach is common among fraudsters and the police are well aware of it.
– The crime victim is manipulated into sending money away or doing something wrong, said Lotta Mauritzsoncoordinator at the National Fraud Center, in a press release from the police.
READ MORE: Got this sms from “collection”? Several warn of the fraud
However, new statistics from the police show that the number of frauds has decreased in September 2024 compared to September 2023.
– Reported fraud crimes are at a slightly lower level this year than in 2023, which is gratifying. To say already now that it is a trend break is to claim victory in advance, but the numbers indicate that we are heading in the right direction, says Lotta Mauritzson in the press release.
Crime preventer Lotta Mauritzson in the middle. Photo: Anders Wiklund/TT.
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The new scam warning: Another text message from “debt collection”
Despite this announcement, new fraud warnings continue to arrive. This time it also applies to an SMS with a sender who claims to be a debt collector from a debt collection company.
According to the newspaper Råd och rön, which was the first to report on these frauds, the new text messages come from the same sender. The SMS is reminiscent of the one that came from “ESS Inkasso”, although this time it is a sender named “EU Inkasso”.
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Below is a comparison of the SMS:
Scam sms from “ESS Collection”. Photo: Private/Advice and findings. Scam sms from “EU Collection”. Photo: Private/Advice and findings.
The message states that the alleged bill will be forwarded to the Bailiff on the same day if it is not paid – but this is incorrect.
One of Advice and findings readers who warned about the text message say that their ID has been hijacked and that a phone has been ordered by Telia for SEK 14,000 in their name.
READ MORE: Telia: How to secure your data from fraudsters
Warnings may have contributed to increased knowledge
Lotta Mauritzson at the police believes that these warnings are one of the reasons why the number of reported frauds has decreased.
In the press release “Frauds are decreasing”, it is stated that the police regularly carry out information campaigns and collaborate with banks, mobile phone operators and online stores to increase knowledge.
– The information is aimed at different target groups that we see that the fraudsters are targeting. By arming themselves with knowledge of how fraudsters work, the public can protect themselves from fraud attempts, says Mauritzson in the announcement.
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Have you been the victim of a scam? Get in touch with [email protected].