High summer is here and with it comes the holidays like a letter in the mail for many Swedes around the country. And when Swedes’ holiday habits take hold, even a certain type of criminal changes their behavior pattern to get at what they really want – your money.
In 2023, fraud crimes increased by 22 percent and measured criminal profits of a breathtaking 7.5 billion kroner, according to the police. The development has resulted in us seeing both companies and authorities issue several warnings as fraudsters pretend to represent everything from Postnord and the Social Insurance Agency to the Police and the Tax Agency.
READ MORE: Warning for Postnord scam: “Delete the message immediately”
Photo: Caisa Rasmussen / TT Fraudsters pretend to be BankID
The latest in the line of companies to warn users is BankID.
Fraudsters have started sending hoax text messages that are sent to users of the service.
This has resulted in the company themselves now issuing a strong warning and an equally strong call to all BankID users.
– Our appeal is to never call unknown numbers or click on links.
READ MORE: Received text from this sender? Now BankID warns
This is how the fraudster can trick you this summer
Some who aren’t expected to take a vacation when you do are the fraudsters. In an interview with TV4 tells Björn Appelgrenpublic education officer at the Internet Foundation, how you can fall into the clutches of the fraudster this summer, especially when you are booking your vacation.
– The fraudsters are always at it. It is not that it increases significantly. But what you can see is that fraud is increasing, above all card fraud and so-called social manipulation where we people are convinced to share personal information or make bank transfers, he says.
By setting up scam pages where air travel is advertised, the fraudster can get hold of sensitive information about you and, by extension, get hold of your money.
A less advanced way is, according to Appelgren, for the fraudster to advertise trips and tickets on social media. He emphasizes that you should instead buy the plane tickets directly from the airline or from travel sites you trust.
– It is necessary to buy plane tickets from the airline or serious travel agents. What the fraudsters do is that they can set up fake pages where you look for cheap flights. Then they take that information, maybe you have to leave your phone number, then they call with an offer.
Other ways for the fraudster to try to trick you are in advertisements for cottages or other accommodation. Then do not pay in advance, check with the Land Survey if the property is at the given address and if the seller is also the owner of the property.
DO NOT MISS:
Folksam’s warning to customers: “Everyone who is affected…”
The Armed Forces’ call: Never do this on the phone