MB Way has consolidated itself as one of the most practical and used forms of payment in Portugal, both in stores and on online platforms and in private sales. But not always speed and convenience means safety. A recent fraud on MB Way, known as the “Print Screen trick”, has done several victims in the country. The designation was given by the Leak website, which warns of the sophistication of this scheme.
HOW THE “PRINT SCREEN” WORKS
The method almost always follows the same script. A buyer combines the purchase of a product, often through platforms like Facebook marketplace or WhatsApp groups. Instead of transferring the money, it sends the seller a screen capture of an alleged payment via MB Way.
The image seems convincing: includes amounts, dates and even application logos. The seller, trusting the “proof”, delivers the article before confirming the entry of the amount to the account. The result is always the same: product delivered, but money never comes to the recipient.
Because print doesn’t prove anything
According to Leak, the big problem is that a print screen has no legal validity. It is just an image that can easily be manipulated with editing programs or even created in online generators that replicate homebanking interfaces. Without confirmation in the account balance, there is no guarantee that the transfer happened.
Cases already reported in Portugal
In recent months, complaints of salespeople have been multiplying that have been deceived in this way. Televisions, phone and even appliances were delivered based only on a payment print. In some cases, the burns use captures with the indication of “scheduled payment” or “waiting for processing” to seem even more credible.
There are reports of situations where the burns even call, undergoing official MB Way support in an attempt to press immediate delivery of the goods.
How to protect yourself from this scheme
Experts advise not to rely on prints as proof. The only safe way to check the payment is to confirm in the real balance of the bank account. Another simple measure is to activate MB Way application notifications, which issues immediate alerts whenever there are registered movements.
If the buyer insists only on sending prints, he must refuse the transaction. Those who are in good faith will have no problem waiting for payment confirmation.
What to do if you are a victim
If it suspects fraud on MB Way, you should immediately contact the bank, store all communication proof and file a complaint to the authorities. Reporting the profile or account used on the platform where the business occurred is equally important to lock new attempts.
MB Way remains a safe tool when used correctly. However, as it underlines, excessive confidence, and hurry to close deals have open space to creative schemes. The essential rule is simple: a print pays nothing. Only the confirmed balance gives guarantees that the money has entered.
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