In recent times, a new scam scheme has been affecting Banco Santander’s customers, although any banking institution can be aimed at. Known as the “fake loan blow,” this scheme seeks to deceive victims to obtain their bank details and later steal their money.
The intensification of fraud
Criminologist and cyber security expert María Aperator explained to the ‘eleconomist’ that this type of fraud has been intensifying in recent weeks. The Bump Method consists of sending text messages (SMS) that inform the recipient about an alleged loan that has been deposited by mistake in your account.
Pressure on the victims
Victims, upon receiving this communication, are warned that they should return the amount received to avoid additional charges. Criminals also include interest and cost information, pushing injured to act quickly.
Creation of an urgent environment
Fraudulent SMS contain detailed nominations for return, suggesting that the victim makes a bank transfer to a certain account number. The goal is to create an urgent environment that prevents the person from reflecting before acting.
The second phase of the scam
According to, after the first transfer, the burns advance to a second phase of the scheme, requesting personal data and sensitive bank information. Applications include safety codes and authorizations to perform operations on the victim’s account.
The danger of calling calls
A particularly dangerous technique used by criminals involves the request for the victim to type code 21, followed by a telephone number provided by the burns themselves. This action activates calling calls, allowing all communications directed to the victim to be diverted to criminals.
Total control of communications
With this mechanism, the burns control all the so -called received, including bank or family contacts that may try to alert the victim about the scam. Thus, they gain time to realize new attacks without interference.
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Psychological manipulation of victims
The success of this scheme is based on the ability of criminals to manipulate the victim, leading her to believe that she is acting correctly. The speed with which they require the return of money prevents many people from verifying the truth of the allegation.
Banking Institution recommendations
Bank institutions, including Santander Bank, recommend that customers have preventive behavior, avoiding responding to suspicious messages and confirming any transaction with the bank through official channels.
In addition, cybersecurity experts warn that banks do not request SMS sensitive information or telephone calls. If you get a contact with this request, you must suspect immediately.
How to verify the truth of the deposit
Verifying directly in the bank statement if an unexpected deposit occurs is one of the ways to avoid falling into this fraud. If there is no record of the transaction mentioned in the message, it is clearly a fraudulent scheme.
Authorities recommend that anyone who has been the target of this scam to immediately contact their bank and complain to the competent entities. Fast denunciation can be crucial to minimizing damage.
Always confirm with the bank
If in doubt about the authenticity of a bank contact, the best option is to always resort to the institution’s official means. You should never trust unquired messages that require immediate action.
Cybercriminals continue to sophisticate their methods, but information and prevention are the best weapons against these threats. Staying attentive and questioning any unexpected communication can avoid financial losses and protect your personal data.
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