If you have received a message asking for immediate payment of an electricity, water or telecommunications bill, pay attention: the Bank of Portugal (BdP) warns that it could be an attempted fraud: “it is likely that you are facing fraud”.
According to Notícias ao Minuto, the BdP has registered a significant increase in fraud attempts made through SMS, email and messaging applications, in which criminals pretend to be known companies to pressure victims into paying missing amounts. The objective is always the same: to get the user to transfer money to fraudulent accounts.
The organization shared a set of essential guidelines to help consumers protect themselves and quickly recognize these digital traps.
Be wary of messages with urgent requests
According to the BdP, you should be suspicious of any communication that calls for urgency. “Do not give in to emotional pressure and carefully analyze the content of the message”, warns the regulator. Requests for immediate payment under threat of service interruption are a warning sign.
The BdP reminds us that legitimate companies do not require urgent payments via SMS, email or WhatsApp. It also advises you to be aware of errors in Portuguese, generic information and unusual contacts. These are frequent signs of fraudulent messages.
Always confirm the origin before paying
If you receive a notice to regularize an invoice, the ideal is to confirm the information through the official channels of the entity in question. “Never use the phone number or link that comes in the message”, explains the BdP.
The organization recommends that you access the official website by typing the address manually in the browser. Links inserted in messages can direct the user to false pages, created to steal personal and banking data.
If in doubt, do not proceed with payment
The BdP also emphasizes that you should not provide personal data or make any payment without first confirming that the request is genuine.
“Before validating a transfer, check the recipient’s name: if it does not correspond to the expected entity, do not complete the operation”, reinforces the regulator, cited by .
According to the same source, it is also important to act quickly if you suspect fraud: contact the bank or payment service provider and check whether there are unauthorized movements on the account.
In case of fraud, the BdP recommends filing a complaint with the competent authorities, such as the PSP, GNR or Judiciary Police.
According to the BdP, the best way to protect yourself is to remain calm, confirm the origin of the message and never give in to pressure. Digital scams are increasingly sophisticated, but they continue to be based on the same logic: creating fear to force quick decisions.
Also read:
