Did you get a bank card in the mail? PSP alert for new scam

A Public Security Police (PSP) turned to social networks this Saturday to alert a new scam, this time made with bank cards.

“ Criminals send fake bank cards accompanied by highly personalized letters, containing their name, address and even the name of their real banking institution to gain their trust”, can be read in the publication.

But how does it work? “Correspondence creates a false sense of urgency, threatening to block your account if the ‘new card’ is not activated immediately. To do so, the letter asks you to access a link or read a QR Code,” only, “following these instructions, you will be redirected to a fake page, designed exclusively to steal your bank access credentials and your money.”.

The PSP also leaves some advice to avoid this type of scam, which you can see below:

• Ignore the urgency: Card renewal and replacement is a timely process. banks do not require immediate activation under threat of account blocking;
• Do not use links: Never use addresses, contacts or codes QR indicated in this correspondence;
• Use only official channels: The activation of a legitimate card shall always be done in an ATM, the official homebanking or the certified App of your bank;
• If in doubt, ignore the letter and contact your banking institution directly through the usual customer support numbers.

The alert had also been made by Banco de Portugal last Thursday, as you can read below in more detail.